So, my boyfriend and I are just finishing up a two-week road trip—we drove from Maryland to Texas, and have been staying with friends and relatives, in addition to several hotels.
Since we've been saving up for this trip for a while, we've mostly been treating ourselves to hotels that run for about $90–$120. In other words, we haven't been staying at the cheapest possible places.
Last night, however, we decided to sample something less expensive, just to see if we've been wasting our money. We stayed at a Motel 6 for the night... and let's just say I probably won't be coming back there any time soon.
Here are some differences between economy hotels and ones that are slightly nicer:
- Unlike fancier buildings, bargain motels usually make you enter your room from the outside, which can feel unsafe (or just chilly, depending on the climate). In certain situations, though, it's not that big of a deal.
- Budget hotels don't always have complimentary wi-fi. At Motel 6 we had to pay extra per computer, then spend about 30 minutes on the phone with various front desk/support people because the network was down.
- Nice hotels usually give you the option of choosing either two double beds or a king bed—but cheaper options typically only have double beds. And the rooms are generally dingier and smaller, without accessories like microwaves and fridges.
- If you're looking for amenities like indoor pools or fitness centers, you're going to have to pony up and stay at a more expensive hotel.
Of course, hotel prices also vary per season and location. For example, our Motel 6 had higher rates posted for the summer months. And the Sleep Inn we're staying in tonight—which is actually really nice—is only $75 with tax, probably because we're several miles outside of Montgomery, AL, instead of inside the city limits.
Another thing to keep in mind is how long you're going to be staying in a hotel. If you're just going away for the night, paying an extra $30 might be within your budget—but that money can add up quickly if you stay for a couple of days or longer.
Finally, hotels are often clustered together, so it's pretty easy to drive around and consult each front desk until you find the perfect combination of amenities and rates.
When picking a hotel, what price range do you go for? How do you make sure you're getting the best deal?Image Source
Comments (14)
I go for the dirt cheap hotels/motels. I never travel alone so entering from the outside isn't a big deal, and chances are wherever I'm going, I'm not spending much time at the hotel, so amenities aren't a huge deal. If I am spending a lot of time at the hotel, I want a pool and a comfy bed, but unless that's the case? Cheap!
Also, as you pointed out - if you stay outside major cities, the rates will be cheaper. Sure, it's nice to be right next door to whatever you're traveling to do, but the prices are drastically different.
We plan our vacations to spend plenty of time outside of the hotel. So we tend to go for fairly inexpensive hotels as well. Unless you are going to use the fitness center and pool, they arent worth paying for!
you have to pay for wifi even in the most fabulous hotels...i was at the belagio this week and wifi was 15 bucks. blah. gym = 25. !!!
If i'm staying more than one night, i go for something cheap, but it's nice to treat yourself if it's just for one day :]
I've stayed in a Mariott and a Holiday Inn Express, among others. The Holiday Inn was a lot better in my opinion. While the Mariott had some name and, to me anyways, expensive prices. Nice beds, but a tiny bathroom, no continental breakfast, and to be honest, the room seemed dingy. Holiday Inn, on the other hand had nice beds, a great continental breakfast, nice bathroom, and the rooms seemed more welcoming and less "standard".
i stayed at a motel 6 when i went to florida... it was by the ocean and had a good "view," supposedly. the carpet was literally SOGGY from humidity and the whole room reeked of seaweed/mildew.
after that experience, my extreeemely stingy dad vowed never to stay at a cheap motel again. :P
@cornyonacob@xanga - hahaha... that's when you know it's bad—when your stingy parents can't tolerate it.
wynn charges for wi-fi. a lot of hotels also charge a "resort fee."
I like to stay at nicer hotels at cheaper prices, by using different websites online to shop around. I especially love priceline. By using priceline, I got a nice hotel in San Francisco in the Union Square area for only $60 a night, and another time I got a nice hotel in Boston for only $75 a night. It does depend on where you are looking and what time of year, but if you know where you want to stay and are willing to do a little leg work, I've found you can really get a great room for not that much. No way I'd pay the $150-$300 the hotels I've stayed in advertised on their actual sites. Like you said though the cheaper hotels are just that cheaper hotels. I've only stayed in a Day's in for cheap hotels and it made me not ever want to stay in another one. So far my favorite's are Holiday Inn & Best Westerns, because all the one's I've stayed in have been nice and I like the free internet & breakfast.
in NYC that would be the cheapest possible, if at all possible. lol.
Um, okay why are you complaining about cheap motels. Their there for a reason and it's a motel not home. Most reasons people stay in motels is to get sleep/ shower etc. Does it matter if it has a pool,wifi, or computer access. Really? It does? I think I can handle going without a computer for a week or two at most which I'm sure trips are not that long. And about the microwave and fridge comment, lie. I worked at a motel with only 15 rooms and they had both a microwave and fridge. Pretty much all motels have that, even motel six. And why exactly does bed size even matter? You have a bed and you sleep in it. Just because I didn't get king size I'm going to be upset about it since I have to stick with standard size. It's pointless to complain about. Last point, some motels are still pretty cheap and provide a swimming pool. No, your not paying like 50 bucks for a room but you are paying about 60-75 which isn't that exspensive compared to what your paying for your rooms, 90-100.
My two cents... better make that one cent.
I work at a Fairfield by Marriot and I've also worked at Hampton and a Residence Inn. I'd say my number one issue between a cheap hotel and a more expensive hotel is the cleaning. Not that the Fairfield is to expensive it's like 79.00 a night but if you do it through Priceline and Expedia it can be WAY cheaper. I've talked to lots of front desk clerks from various hotels, plus various housekeepers and there is a TOTALLY different standard for housekeeping. I've even had other clerks tell me you couldn't pay them to sleep at their hotel. Sheets aren't changed, toilets, sinks tubs not cleaned *shudder* You really don't wanna know. Just keep in mind that the less you pay probably means the less the housekeepers are paid and the fewer of them there are. More likely than not you get an overloaded maid with 15 rooms (the standard is like 9 rooms) that has to cut corners.
i want to save the most money for fun in vegas what hotel should i stay in?
If you know you're staying for a full week, pony up and pay for the whole week - you usually can find weekly rates at a discount compared to the per diem rates. Also, if you are needing the motel for an extended period, after a month they refund you the lodging taxes and reduce your rates accordingly.
I had some difficulty with my previous landlord who wouldn't care for his duplex and it got shut down by the county assessors for safety violations. So now I am staying in a motel which has a per diem of $34 per night but a weekly rate of $196 (both after taxes). I negotiated with the manager, telling her that I would have to plan on staying here several months until I could save up enough to get an apartment again - she immediately reduced my rate by removing the lodging taxes (keep in mind she trusts me for some reason not to be lying to her). So I'm actually only paying $175 a week! I have microwave, fridge, cable, wifi, coffee, breakfast and a spa. Yes, I'm by the airport and not close to downtown (which sucks because I do not drive and need the city bus), but I wrangled the best deal in town!
It can be done, folks. Remember this - prices are never set in stone. Get in with the manager, not the clerks, and you can always work a deal. Look for the best rates in town and tell your manager where you prefer to stay that you could always get the rates you want somewhere else. Trust me. They want your business.