Heavens

Ours would have to be Best Western b/c of the queen beds, when traveling with the family, the four of us. We often take our own pillows. If I have my down pillow, most likely will sleep through the night. Also like their cost. And their contintal breakfast, even though one time that happened to be a Honeybun in a wrapper and canned OJ. Kids loved it. Overall, the chain and their locations and prices are great.

High end, Marriott. Just love the chain. Great service. Nice rooms, hotel locations, and bathrooms, amenities. Their JW's are great.

ronkala

This post sort of contradicts your earlier one doesn't it? I don't consider BW upscale.

klw25

I don't think this contradicts her earlier post. I believe Heavens said she doesn't like to spend more than $200 on a hotel room and prefers less, but was wondering how people justify spending more. BW definitely fits into the under $200 budget.

I agree that Marriotts are great. My DH travels a lot (about 100 nights/year) and only stays at Marriott. As a result, when we travel as a family (or in the rare event, as a couple!), we use his points and stay in Marriotts. We've never had anything but positive experiences at any of the properties.

I will say, however, that my favorite hotel I've stayed at was the Four Seasons. While on our honeymoon in Maui, we met another couple also staying at FS, and they told us that they always stay at FS when they travel. That sounded pretty good to me! Someday...

ellen_griswold

Hi Heavens! I too totally prefer marriotts for business travel (will be in one again this week because i'm not paying!

However for the family, it's best western (often a bit more unique), hampton or holiday inn EXPRESS (both solid w/great breakfasts) for us.

That is, if we're not doing a national park, where we much prefer staying within the park.

But to me, i'd rather sleep cheap(er) and have extra cash for playing! And more nights away!

enjoylife

Hyatts. I always book them through Priceline, so the price is great. They are always friendly, let you check in early and give you Hyatt points. Yippy!

my2cents

We don't normally stay in hotel chains when pleasure traveling (we prefer b&b's or camping) but DH always stays in Marriotts when on business -- they seem to be overall the best in their price range. I have a soft spot for them too b/c of my experience long ago at the L.A. Airport Marriott. Mom and I met up there for a Dark Shadows convention years ago. I checked in the evening before the Whittier earthquake and mom arrived the next day. They had booked us on the 2nd or 3rd floor and asked if I wanted a higher floor b/c it's safer for 2 women staying alone. I said sure and then they realized they were all out of convention-rate rooms, so they asked if I minded being on the top floor in a larger room but still paying convention rate...as if I would say anything but "yes"... I got up there and found out we were one of the rooms adjoining the presidential suite (door was locked between the rooms though, of course). I was thrilled by how huge it was and I loved the 3-room bathroom with bidet etc. I was less than thrilled at being on the top floor though the next morning when I woke up to the earthquake...once I realized the building was not going to fall down around me I was fine, having been through a few quakes already...still crawled under the desk though, just for good measure.

Cali

My two favorite upscale hotels are Ritz Carlton and Peninsula. Just love feeling pampered and we always have gotten that feeling at these hotels. My favorite regular hotel is Hilton Suites. Just love all the room and we have always been treated well when we have stayed at any of them. I also have found several Hampton Inn & suites to be quite nice - but they do vary. Also have loved some small independent boutique type hotels we have stayed in at various locations.

nytraveler

Mandarin Oriental. Every one I have stayed at has been exceptional. Not perfect - no one is perfect all the time - but tiny glitches have beensolved imnediately - and the service is truly superb.

Plus - I love those giant tubs - so romantic.

TxTravelPro

I don't have a favorite chain...
I try to select the most highly recommended hotel in whatever market I am traveling to, without any regard to the chain.
Works for me -almost- every time.

beachlady

Hi,
My DH also travels for business and stays at Courtyard by Marriott or other Marriott properties. For vacations, when we are traveling in a city, also find Marriott to offer a comfortable room and all the amenities you'd expect. Their restaurants always serve good food and there are special rates that include breakfast in most areas. Comparing this chain to the Starwood properties (Westin, Sheration,etc), I prefer the Marriott.

placeu2

Not sure how widespread this is but we like Amerisuites. This is a division of Hyatt. Clean, comfortable, everything a family on the road needs including a very nice breakfast for under $90, often closer to $70.

Heavens

The real real reason why I posted this was to see if there were other hotel chains out there worth a try. We have had pretty good luck with BW and why we often return on family trips. But, I am thinking, maybe there are other chains out there even better, or just as good.

Someone on another thread mentioned that she liked Hamptons and we have never stayed there. But should try it. We tried a Comfort Inn about a month ago and it was pretty blah. Not bad, just blah. Thin walls, thin beds, no extra bedding, no extras period but it filled our need.

There are many chains out there, Fairfield, Extended Stay, Comfort Suites, etc. Just wondering if anyone had good experiences and like sticking with one particular brand for whatever reasons.

And the other high end we like are the Westins. The heavenly beds, to be more specific.

everythingtravel

I'm a big fan of the W hotels - their rooms are very well designed and comfortable and I have also found staff members to be top-notch. They also have great in room amenaties (Aveda for one). I am also partial to the Ian Shrager Hotels - in NY the Hudson, Royalton and Paramount.

http://everythingtravel.blogspot.com/

starrsville

Four Seasons and Ritz if I'm not paying!

Hampton Inn hands-down if I am.

Now, I've added LaQuinta Suites if I'm traveling with the pup.

I love the consistency of Hampton Inns. And now that they are part of Hilton, I've earned enough points to take fabulous week long vacations to Hawaii and the Caribbean.

Comfort Inn - too much variance among properties. Same for Best Western. I like that they are locally owned and operated but there is a wide range of hotel in style, cleanliness and comfort. Hampton Inn's design and 100% guarantee have given me the assurance I know what I'm going to get. I also like Homewood Suites when traveling with kids and Hilton Garden Inns are nice as well. I book my reservations online by searching for all Hilton properties in the area I'm traveling and I choose Hamptons, Homewood and Garden Inns the most often.

JJ5

I do like the Starwood group for the most part, very much. I love the Westin beds. Have loved all the Marriotts used, but especially one stay in Orlando at the golf resort. We had our own dining room, swimming pool, shuffle board court, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a great patio- and it was only myself and my daughter. I won that one, but spent a lot of money tipping to get a ride out to the gate. LOL!

If it were today, we could fill it up. We had no idea until we got there what we had won. American Airlines flights for two were paid for as well as part of the raffle prize.

pollyvw

We've had pleasant experiences at the 2 different Druid Inns we have stayed at when traveling in Mid-West. Don't find them in our area of the country, but these 2 had comfortable rooms, great week-day happy hours and generous breakfasts. Reasonably priced. What more can you ask if you aren't seeking a spa experience?

Cassandra

Very fond of any chain (Doubletree and sometimes Hampton) that bakes and gives out free cookies!

bonniebroad

For the money, I continue to be so impressed by Hampton Inns, Holiday Inn Express and Residence Inns by Marriott. The Holiday Inn Express at The Villages, Florida, the Hampton Inn Jonesville, NC, and the Residence Inn at Wrightsville Beach, NC, are especially wonderful in every way, for the money.

The most luxurious hotel I've stayed in was Charleston Place in South Carolina. Fabulous! Whether I want to spend that kind of money depends on how long I'll be in a place, and how much time I'll spend at the hotel.

emd

Anywhere I can get Starwood points. Prefer Westins in that group. I spent 6 nights at Westin Tokyo (a 5 star) and 8 nights at Westin in Kyoto (4 star), all nights on executive club floors w/full western and japanese breakfast and evening drinks and appetizers, all completely free on points in April. Love those points- they really extend the travel $$.

aggiemom

Like to get and use my Hilton, Marriott, Starwood and Le Meridien points because we always get upgraded. I like the consistency of a good bed, quiet. On occasion, as this last trip to Europe, I will experiment with a smaller independent place just for variety.