America’s Best Value Inn
Last summer, I stayed in an America’s Best Value Inn in Lexington Virginia. It was not my first choice, but the Days Inn across the street was full. I was skeptical because this was my first time using this brand, and it did not look as well-kept as the Days Inn. However, the room was spotless, and I had no problems. For a base price of $58.50, compared with almost $90 across the street, we got the better deal even with no free breakfast. This is a good budget motel if you’re just passing through.
Best Western
Best Western motels are typically more expensive and have higher quality amenities, like organic soaps and shampoos. For these reasons I place them in the high-end of budget motels. Although the Best Western website states they have 1,900 pet-friendly locations, I have never come across one on any of my travel routes. This and the fact that this brand does not always offer free breakfast is one reason I do not always choose Best Westerns. They do, however, typically have the cleanest, most spacious rooms. Best Westerns are found all over the United States (and other parts of the word). They are also the chain most commonly available near national parks, especially in the off season. Prices vary based on seasonal rates and location, but Best Westerns offer competitive rates when compared with motels of the same caliber. Pet fees range from $9 to an unreasonable $20 per day.
Comfort Inn
The Comfort Inn brand is known for its high quality at lower costs. They boast a “deluxe continental breakfast,” which I have found means it has the typical cereal and pastries, with the addition of a hot item, such as Belgian waffles. Rooms are more spacious than your typical budget motel (on par with Best Western) and typically include the extras, like a mini fridge, microwave, and big screen TV. (Some locations charge a bit more for these rooms.)
Most recently I stayed in a Comfort Inn in Harrisburg, Penn., in December 2010. The base room rate was $68, with a $10 pet fee. Unlike many other “pet-friendly” hotels, if a Comfort Inn says it is pet-friendly, it will most likely have a grassy area where you can walk your pet.
Days Inn
Days Inn falls in the high end of the mid-range for budget hotels. Prices are typically somewhat higher, but the amenities are worth it. Days Inn offers decent amenities like conditioning shampoo instead of plain shampoo. They supply forgotten items (toothbrush, shaving cream, etc.) upon request. Rooms typically come with microwaves and mini fridges.
The last Days Inn I stayed in was in Erie, Penn., in December 2010. It was the off season, so the base room rate was $60, with a $10 pet fee. This particular location offered a hot breakfast, but the usual cook was sick, so it was not available during my stay.
Howard Johnson motels are average mid-range motels, but they offer something most do not: frequent promotions. For example, at the time of this writing, the motel is giving away two vouchers to the Harlem Globetrotter show for customers who stay two nights.
Their Rise & Dine breakfast is pretty good for a continental breakfast. Fresh fruit, cereal, and freshly baked goods are common at Howard Johnson. Room amenities vary too much for me to comment.
Motel 6
Motel 6 is to the budget motel industry as Southwest is to the airline industry. This low-end brand offers the bare minimum for the cheapest price. They give you just soap (no shampoo) and free WiFi (no breakfast). Rooms do not include any extras like a microwave, hair dryer, or coffee-maker (though coffee is available in the lobby). I have stayed in some very clean rooms and some not-so-clean rooms. This brand can be hit or miss with the cleanliness, but if you just need a place to stay for the night while you’re passing through, Motel 6 is a good option. Most recently I stayed in a good one in Wall, South Dakota for a base rate of $45.99. My pets stayed free.
Super 8
I have had both good and bad experiences with Super 8. Fortunately, the good experiences have been more often than the bad. Generally I place Super 8 in the mid-range of budget motels for quality, on par with Howard Johnson. They usually have clean rooms, minimal amenities, and cheap continental breakfasts. However, some Super 8s, such as the one in Nephi, Utah, serve Belgian waffles. Most of the Super 8s I have stayed at allow pets for a $10 fee. The exception I have come across was one in Harrisburg, Penn.
Super 8 seems to have a consistent base fee of around $60 per night. (This statement is based on personal experience from stays in Tennessee, Virginia, Wyoming, and Utah.) However, I have seen rates in more remote areas in the off season for as low as $40.
I do not recommend the Super 8 in Gatlinburg, Tenn. One of the rooms I rented there had no hot water, and the door would not close all the way. The hotel manager was not around and later compensated me only $10 for the issue.
The Winners
Motel 6 is the best option if you are just passing through. However, when staying in one place for a few days, my favorite budget motel chain is Comfort Inn. This brand offers consistent quality, amenities, and pricing. If Best Western always included breakfast in the room rate, they would tie Comfort Inn as the better budget motel.
Writer’s Note: Many motels are independently owned and operated, though each location tries to maintain the brand’s image. Experience may vary. Additionally, you should always check a bedbug registry, such as bedbugregistry.com or bedbugreports.com before booking a motel.
