Personally I like to stay at a reasonable grade one for cheap. I am fine with Best Western or Comfort Inn & Suite, etc. Holiday Inn Express seems to have very small room size when I need double queen room, so that doesn't work too well.
Wife is more picky about noise so we focus mostly on site away from noisy roads and exterior walkway (she likes the walkway to be air conditioned and indoor). I prefer those with potatoes as breakfast (it makes my day).
Everything else is minor, including brands, if the price is right.
On business trips I usually stay where the others stay, so it is easier to work and won't look odd when you file expense reports. So far I like Hyatt and Sheraton, but I heard from former coworkers they are switching to Ritz Carltons. Man that's a perk.