Hotel Chain Hierarchy

[Anonymous]

Curious, we are doing a road trip and want to rank the various chains an how they compare on average, down to the brand.

Feel free to add or re-arrange to make the One List To Rank Them All

Lowest tier to highest
Motel 6
Super 8
Days Inn
Econolodge
La Quinta
Comfort Inn
Quality Inn
Ramada
Wyndham
Fairfield Inn
Hampton Inn
Spring Hill Suites
Holiday Inn Express
Best Western
Sheraton
Hilton Garden Inn
Crowne Plaza
Doubletree
ALoft
Courtyard
Townplace Suites
Embassy Suited
Residence Inn
Hilton Homesuites
Hilton
AC Hotels
Marriott
Hyatt
Westin
W

[Anonymous]

I really like it when people rank from highest to lowest.

I think a lot of this depends on the location. "Average" doesn't always mean much. I've stayed in some excellent Holiday Inns that are better than Marriots and some that were roach motels.

[Anonymous]

Not what you asked but I stay at the top of the list or the bottom. Or anywhere in between. Not a brand snob. Most people are not. No reason to make a list. Depends on the occasion and why the overnight is needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not what you asked but I stay at the top of the list or the bottom. Or anywhere in between. Not a brand snob. Most people are not. No reason to make a list. Depends on the occasion and why the overnight is needed.

True, but for instance Econolodge allowed smoking rooms for a long time when Marriott was smoke-free.

I have seen real cleaning and maintenance differences among this spectrum.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of the lower end hotels really depend on when they were built. I've stayed at a brand new Comfort Inn that was probably nicer than most Sheratons (which tend to be pretty old). I would put them more in categories by what amenities they offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the lower end hotels really depend on when they were built. I've stayed at a brand new Comfort Inn that was probably nicer than most Sheratons (which tend to be pretty old). I would put them more in categories by what amenities they offer.

Also, if you're traveling with kids, I would almost always pick one of the lower end chains (Hampton Inn, Residence Inn, Towne Place Suites), because the rooms are often larger and they offer free breakfast and usually a pool. If I am with my husband, I would stay at a W or Westin where I care more about the room and hotel decor, and not so much the free breakfast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the lower end hotels really depend on when they were built. I've stayed at a brand new Comfort Inn that was probably nicer than most Sheratons (which tend to be pretty old). I would put them more in categories by what amenities they offer.

+1

I often feel like a website would be great that provides the age of value priced properties.

[Anonymous]

1 Hotels near the top.

[Anonymous]

I’ve stayed at some newer Hampton Inns close to National parks and I’ve had a wonderful time. No Marriott/Hilton in those areas, and the Hampton Inns were much much better than some Marriott/ Hilton that I’ve stayed at. I was pleasantly surprised

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious, we are doing a road trip and want to rank the various chains an how they compare on average, down to the brand.

Feel free to add or re-arrange to make the One List To Rank Them All

Lowest tier to highest
Motel 6
Super 8
Days Inn
Econolodge
La Quinta
Comfort Inn
Quality Inn
Ramada
Wyndham
Fairfield Inn
Hampton Inn
Spring Hill Suites
Holiday Inn Express
Best Western
Sheraton
Hilton Garden Inn
Crowne Plaza
Doubletree
ALoft
Courtyard
Townplace Suites
Embassy Suited
Residence Inn
Hilton Homesuites
Hilton
AC Hotels
Marriott
Hyatt
Westin
W

Craziest part- your list has 30 names on it. Marriott ALONE has 30 brands. 30!

https://skift.com/2016/09/21/every-one-of-marriotts-30-hotel-brands-explained/

Hilton has 16! IHG (Holiday Inn, etc) has 10.

In case you are wondering why there are so many brands:

http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/12/why-do-hotel-companies-have-so-many-brands.html

[Anonymous]

Missing Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton-- here's a wonderful one
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/half-moon-bay

[Anonymous]

I also look for newer properties. Age is much more important than brand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also look for newer properties. Age is much more important than brand.

This!
I came here to write exactly this.

Lowest tier to middle tier, you’re safest bet is the NEWEST one you can find. Better carpet, tile, working bathrooms. Surfaces haven’t been as worn and/or have used more modern, practical materials.

Not as big of an issue with 4-5 star and up, but it can be an important factor too.

I’m talking a new Ramada may in fact be better than a pricey older Hyatt Place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also look for newer properties. Age is much more important than brand.

This!
I came here to write exactly this.

Lowest tier to middle tier, you’re safest bet is the NEWEST one you can find. Better carpet, tile, working bathrooms. Surfaces haven’t been as worn and/or have used more modern, practical materials.

Not as big of an issue with 4-5 star and up, but it can be an important factor too.

I’m talking a new Ramada may in fact be better than a pricey older Hyatt Place.

OP here. I agree but very hard to identify that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also look for newer properties. Age is much more important than brand.

This!
I came here to write exactly this.

Lowest tier to middle tier, you’re safest bet is the NEWEST one you can find. Better carpet, tile, working bathrooms. Surfaces haven’t been as worn and/or have used more modern, practical materials.

Not as big of an issue with 4-5 star and up, but it can be an important factor too.

I’m talking a new Ramada may in fact be better than a pricey older Hyatt Place.

OP here. I agree but very hard to identify that.

Check Trip Advisor. Not for the age, but for reviews.