Sam_Julier
$50 Site Donor 2024
Marriott or Hilton when I was working in sales and my company was footing the bill. Sleep Inn now that I’m retired. 
USA Hotel Chains
- Thread starter Zee09
- Start date
JHZR2
Staff member
I’ve been Hilton Diamond for years. They treat me well, and the range of hotels, both domestic and internationally are good. You can go almost anywhere in the US had have a pretty consistent, low cost stay at a Hampton inn, and go from there.
I love mom and pop motor hotels, but there are very few that aren’t shady.
I love mom and pop motor hotels, but there are very few that aren’t shady.
I'm a Hilton guy. Mostly because the App is so good. I can find a Hilton brand hotel and book it in a minute. I do try to stay away from some of their lower end offerings. But being a Diamond Elite member, I generally get the better rooms where ever I go.
Marriott has the Bonvoy app, which is not as good and is far more difficult to use when in a rush.
Marriott has the Bonvoy app, which is not as good and is far more difficult to use when in a rush.
I’ve got the exact opposite experience. Hilton’s app is cumbersome and difficult compared with Bonvoy. Booking is clearer and simpler on Bonvoy. I check in, get upgraded, get my room key (keyless entry using NFC) and check out all on the app.
And, as a Hilton Gold, I stay at Hilton’s a lot, but Bonvoy allows me to enter my discount code and keep it. It’s a simple code for me as airline or military. Hilton’s airline discount code is 12 digits and has to be entered every time. A huge pain.
It’s clear that they don’t value my business. So, while I’m still staying at Hilton now and then, Marriott/Starwood is easier to use, and gives me a better rate.
IHG first, Hilton second. I usually can find what I am looking for anywhere I go. Stayed in a ton of Holiday Inn express properties and been generally happy. Only one dud the last two years... Staybridge suites have also been great.
Hilton or Hyatt for us...we don't stay in hotels much but those are the brands we try to use, for points accumulation and use. Hilton Garden Suites are my sweet spot.
Marriott and Hilton are my go to.
Worked at a number of Hilton franchised hotels for about 8 years in customer facing roles and left the industry as an assistant general manager. Their brand standards were impeccable to say the least down to the finest details of what music needs to be played on the Muzak system, the detergent and cleaning supplies to buy for housekeeping, linens, coffee brand, etc. This was every single Hilton brand I worked for (Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and full service Hilton) - flying the Hilton flag is at risk if a property fails multiple property audits which were typically 1x per year with no warning. My experience is Hilton runs a very tight ship. When I left the industry the hotel I was working at as AGM was facing a ~million dollar renovation (at our cost of course) for the re-imaging that Garden Inn wanted to do at the time (2011-2012), getting waivers to kick the expense down the road was a PITA and it was basically a do this or lose your Hilton flag.
Just as a reference of how particular Hilton is back in my Hampton Inn days the coffee had to be re-done every 4 hours even if it had not been touched. My time there I poured hundreds upon hundreds of gallons of coffee down the drain to abide by brand standards. On a side note if they still use the same carafes with the display, the pie chart on the display shows how old the coffee is. Full bars means new coffee, no bars means coffee is 4+ hours old.
I have not worked for Marriott but I imagine their audits and standards mimic those of Hilton. All my Marriott stays have been just as enjoyable as my Hilton stays.
Worked at a number of Hilton franchised hotels for about 8 years in customer facing roles and left the industry as an assistant general manager. Their brand standards were impeccable to say the least down to the finest details of what music needs to be played on the Muzak system, the detergent and cleaning supplies to buy for housekeeping, linens, coffee brand, etc. This was every single Hilton brand I worked for (Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and full service Hilton) - flying the Hilton flag is at risk if a property fails multiple property audits which were typically 1x per year with no warning. My experience is Hilton runs a very tight ship. When I left the industry the hotel I was working at as AGM was facing a ~million dollar renovation (at our cost of course) for the re-imaging that Garden Inn wanted to do at the time (2011-2012), getting waivers to kick the expense down the road was a PITA and it was basically a do this or lose your Hilton flag.
Just as a reference of how particular Hilton is back in my Hampton Inn days the coffee had to be re-done every 4 hours even if it had not been touched. My time there I poured hundreds upon hundreds of gallons of coffee down the drain to abide by brand standards. On a side note if they still use the same carafes with the display, the pie chart on the display shows how old the coffee is. Full bars means new coffee, no bars means coffee is 4+ hours old.
I have not worked for Marriott but I imagine their audits and standards mimic those of Hilton. All my Marriott stays have been just as enjoyable as my Hilton stays.
This has been my experience as well. I can check in and out on the app. Everything is simple and I get instant feedback.
I have noticed overseas that a lot of airline crews stay at Marriott. Our flights into Manila for example arrive late in the evening so it’s about 2230-2300 before we get to the hotel. The line of air crew is obvious. It also helps that it’s located right off one end of the airport so it’s only 30-45 minutes or so travel time to and from.
Holiday inn (IHG) seems very consistent, decent rewards program too. Always spend the few extra $$ for a suite. Hilton and Best Western I have had some huge let downs when staying in an unfamiliar area.
Wow, kinda surprised at all the loyalty here to a certain brand/chain! Give me clean, decent service, free breakfast (swimming pool is nice-to-have, as well) in the area I'm looking for, and I'm happy. Typically, we are just at a hotel to sleep and shower. I've usually had luck finding good deals on Hotwire.
Usually Marriott.
I lived in a Residence Inn for a total of 2 years. Had a lot of points accrued after that and stayed in a couple very nice rooms.
I lived in a Residence Inn for a total of 2 years. Had a lot of points accrued after that and stayed in a couple very nice rooms.
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Zee09
$200 Site Donor 2023
I think once you get great service you become loyal. In April I had a fiasco and will never go back to that Hotel.
If it isn't spotless I leave.
Especially these days.
Without a reservation always drive around a motel seeing how clean here loading dock area is and if the trash cans are empty before going into the lobby. And stay in a any budget motel if theres a choice. Have stayed in a few mom & pop motels again they were very clean on the outside and very clean on the inside.
If you travel a lot then brand loyalty can be a plus by participating in the rewards/points programs the chains offer.
I'll revisit the app. It's been a while. Thanks for the heads-up.
When I’m traveling, I never stay at those high price places. All I want is a decent place to shower and sleep for the night before I continue next morning.
I. E. I don’t want to buy the room. I just want to rent it for a little while.
I. E. I don’t want to buy the room. I just want to rent it for a little while.
Embassy Suites when traveling with family. Don’t feel squished.
I've stayed in a few places where I was thinking "this seems kind of dangerous". One hotel was just in such bad shape and I was kind of worried about what things might be going down in other rooms that could affect me. I was trying to save money.
A few times I've managed great deals on Priceline. Someone mentioned Hyatt Place, which I've found to be really good. Not all locations do, but they have one set of building plans that I've seen in multiple locations. Others are custom built for a specific location. But I've found them to be clean, spacious, and with a decent breakfast.
Even some of the cheapest motels I've stayed in weren't too bad. I remember an Econolodge once where I paid $30 for a single night. It wasn't fancy. It looked old, but like they'd just repainted it many times so it wasn't like they didn't maintain it. It seemed safe. But that isn't always a given with many motels and cheap hotels.
I mostly only go to Atlantic City and stay in a boardwalk casino hotel (and I have stayed in all of them, except Oceans). Everything else is always a disappointment by comparison.
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