Top 3 Best Hotel Chains for Your Next Road Trip Adventure

Planning a road trip can be an exciting adventure, but finding the right accommodations along the way is crucial for a comfortable journey. The best hotel chains for road trips offer a perfect blend of convenience, comfort, and affordability. These chains have strategically located properties across various routes, making them ideal for travelers who want reliable lodging options during their adventures on the open road.

When choosing a hotel chain for a road trip, several factors come into play. Consistency in quality, widespread availability, and traveler-friendly amenities are key considerations. The top hotel chains understand the unique needs of road trippers and cater to them with easy booking processes, flexible cancelation policies, and loyalty programs that reward frequent stays. This article explores some of the best hotel chains that stand out for their road trip-friendly features, helping travelers make informed decisions for their next highway adventure.

Best Western: A Road Tripper’s Paradise

Best Western International stands out as a top choice for road trip enthusiasts, offering a perfect blend of convenience, comfort, and affordability. With over 4,000 locations worldwide, Best Western ensures that travelers have a reliable place to rest after long hours on the road.

Pet-Friendly Policies

For those who love to travel with their furry companions, Best Western has a welcoming approach. The hotel chain boasts approximately 1,200 pet-friendly properties in North America alone, with an additional 900 scattered across the globe. This means that about one-third of Best Western properties are open to accommodating pets, making it easier for animal lovers to plan their road trips.

However, it’s important to note that pet policies can vary by location. While dogs are universally accepted, other pets such as cats, birds, or even more exotic animals may be allowed at the discretion of each property. Travelers should be aware that there are often size limits and restrictions on the number of pets allowed per room. For instance, some properties may allow up to two dogs per room with a weight limit of 80 pounds per animal.

Pet fees at Best Western hotels typically range from USD 10.00 to USD 30.00 per night, with an average of around USD 20.00. Many properties cap the maximum fee at USD 100.00 per week, making extended stays more affordable for pet owners. It’s advisable to contact the specific hotel directly to confirm their pet policy and make necessary arrangements before arrival.

Exterior-Corridor Convenience

One of Best Western’s standout features for road trippers is the exterior-corridor design found in many of its properties. This layout, reminiscent of the 1960s when road trips were at their peak, has seen a resurgence in popularity, especially in light of recent global events.

Exterior-corridor hotels offer several advantages for travelers:

1. Easy access to vehicles: Guests can often park directly in front of their rooms, making it convenient to load and unload luggage.
2. Reduced touchpoints: With direct access to rooms from the outside, travelers can avoid crowded lobbies, elevators, and interior hallways.
3. Enhanced ventilation: Individual room entrances from the outside provide better air circulation compared to interior corridors.
4. Minimized person-to-person interaction: The layout allows for quick check-ins and reduced contact with other guests.

These features have become particularly attractive to travelers seeking a more self-contained and socially distanced experience. David Sangree, President of Hotel & Leisure Advisors, notes that “Exterior-corridor hotels have a situational advantage during the COVID-19 pandemic, by giving the guest the ability to reduce touchpoints, avoid elevator rides, and be a more self-contained traveler”.

Budget-Friendly Rates

Best Western’s commitment to affordability makes it an excellent choice for budget-conscious road trippers. The chain offers competitive rates without compromising on essential amenities. Many Best Western properties provide clean rooms, friendly service, hot breakfast, gym facilities, and swimming pools at prices that are often lower than those of comparable “big box” hotels.

This cost-effectiveness allows travelers to allocate more of their budget to other aspects of their trip, such as dining out, recreational activities, or extending their journey. In some cases, guests might even find independently-owned, exterior-corridor Best Western hotels offering two-room suites at prices lower than those of other well-known chain hotels.

Best Western’s Low Rate Guarantee further enhances its appeal to budget-savvy travelers. The chain commits to offering the lowest rates on its official website, bestwestern.com. If a guest finds a lower published rate on the internet for the same criteria (hotel, room type, dates of stay, and guest occupancy), Best Western will not only honor the lower rate but also provide a USD 100.00 Best Western Gift Card.

By combining pet-friendly policies, the convenience of exterior-corridor designs, and budget-friendly rates, Best Western positions itself as an ideal choice for road trip adventures. Whether traveling solo, with family, or with pets, road trippers can find comfort, convenience, and value at Best Western properties across their journey.

Marriott: Luxury and Comfort on the Road

Marriott International stands out as a premier choice for road trippers seeking a blend of luxury and comfort during their journeys. With its extensive brand portfolio and rewarding loyalty program, Marriott offers travelers a diverse range of experiences tailored to their preferences and needs.

Diverse Brand Portfolio

Marriott International boasts the largest and most compelling collection of brands in the hospitality industry, allowing guests to select the perfect accommodation for their travel needs. The brand portfolio is segmented into tiers, offering both Classic and Distinctive experiences. Classic brands provide time-honored hospitality for modern travelers, while Distinctive brands offer memorable, lifestyle-driven experiences with a unique perspective.

This diverse range of options ensures that road trippers can find the ideal setting for their journey, whether they’re looking for luxury, premium, or extended-stay accommodations. For instance, W Hotels offers an iconic luxury lifestyle brand with compelling design and unexpected experiences. On the other hand, Residence Inn, as the world’s extended stay leader, helps guests live better on long stays with upscale, social, and local experiences.

Marriott’s commitment to individuality across its brands provides an unmatched variety of travel experiences, catering to guests’ moods, travel intents, and trip purposes. This diversity is particularly beneficial for road trippers who may encounter different needs and preferences as they traverse various destinations.

Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program

The Marriott Bonvoy rewards program enhances the road trip experience by offering a range of benefits and opportunities to maximize value. Members earn points on hotel stays and other purchases, which can be redeemed for free nights, unique experiences, and more. The program features five elite status levels, each offering increasingly valuable benefits.

Key benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy program include:

1. Free in-room Wi-Fi for all members
2. Member rates for exclusive discounts
3. Mobile check-in services for added convenience
4. Bonus points on eligible hotel purchases, ranging from 10% for Silver Elite to 75% for Titanium and Ambassador Elite members
5. Priority late checkout, with times varying based on elite status level
6. Room upgrades for Gold Elite members and above, subject to availability

For road trippers, one particularly valuable feature is the ability to book stays even without sufficient points in the account. Members can book their desired award stay and pay back the points within 14 days of arrival, offering flexibility in planning.

Business Traveler Amenities

Marriott caters exceptionally well to business travelers, making it an excellent choice for those combining work with their road trip adventures. The hotel chain offers Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy™, a comprehensive online travel booking program that supports every step of business travel.

Key features for business travelers include:

1. Discounted rates for small to medium-sized businesses
2. Access to live travel data and expense management tools
3. Personalized travel experiences based on user profiles
4. Free Wi-Fi and mobile check-in through the Marriott Bonvoy App
5. Day Pass offerings at select properties, providing quiet workspaces with reliable Wi-Fi and easy access to power outlets

The Day Pass option is particularly beneficial for road trippers who need a productive workspace during their journey. It offers 12-hour access (6 am check-in to 6 pm check-out) to a guest room with a functional desk, private bathroom, and natural light exposure. Additional benefits include enhanced connectivity, complimentary bottled water, and access to on-property business facilities such as printing and scanning equipment, where available.

Marriott’s combination of a diverse brand portfolio, rewarding loyalty program, and business-friendly amenities makes it an excellent choice for road trippers seeking luxury, comfort, and convenience. Whether traveling for leisure or combining business with pleasure, Marriott offers a range of options to enhance the road trip experience.

Choice Hotels: Affordable Options Nationwide

Choice Hotels International offers a wide range of affordable accommodations for road trippers across the United States. With over 7,000 properties worldwide, this hotel chain provides budget-friendly options without compromising on essential amenities. Choice Hotels’ diverse portfolio includes well-known brands such as Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, EconoLodge, and Rodeway Inn, catering to various traveler preferences and budgets.

Quality Inn and Comfort Inn Comparison

Quality Inn and Comfort Inn are two popular brands under the Choice Hotels umbrella, each offering distinct features to suit different traveler needs. Quality Inn focuses on providing essential amenities at a value-driven price point, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious road trippers. These properties typically offer clean, comfortable rooms with basic amenities such as in-room coffee makers and complimentary toiletries.

Comfort Inn, on the other hand, positions itself as a step up in terms of amenities and overall experience. While still maintaining affordable rates, Comfort Inn properties often feature more modern decor, enhanced bedding options, and additional amenities like fitness centers and business centers. This makes Comfort Inn an attractive option for travelers seeking a balance between affordability and extra comforts during their road trip stays.

Both brands maintain consistent standards across their properties, ensuring that guests can expect a reliable experience regardless of location. This consistency is particularly valuable for road trippers who may be unfamiliar with local accommodations in various destinations along their route.

Free Breakfast and Wi-Fi

One of the standout features of Choice Hotels is the inclusion of complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi at most of their properties. This offering adds significant value for road trippers, helping to keep travel costs down while providing essential conveniences.

The free breakfast typically includes a variety of options such as hot and cold cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt, and baked goods. Many locations also offer hot items like eggs, waffles, and breakfast meats. This complimentary meal not only saves travelers money but also provides a convenient start to the day before hitting the road.

Free Wi-Fi is available in guest rooms and common areas at most Choice Hotels properties. This amenity is particularly valuable for road trippers who need to stay connected, whether for planning the next leg of their journey, checking emails, or staying in touch with family and friends.

Rewards Program Benefits

Choice Hotels’ loyalty program, Choice Privileges, offers additional value for frequent travelers and road trip enthusiasts. Members earn points on eligible stays, which can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, or other rewards. The program features multiple membership tiers, with higher levels offering enhanced benefits such as bonus points, room upgrades, and early check-in or late check-out options.

One notable feature of the Choice Privileges program is its flexibility in point redemption. Members can use their points for stays at any Choice Hotels property worldwide, without blackout dates or capacity controls. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for road trippers who may need to make last-minute bookings or changes to their itinerary.

Additionally, Choice Hotels frequently runs promotions that allow members to earn bonus points or discounted rates on stays. These promotions can provide significant savings for road trippers planning extended journeys or multiple stays along their route.

The combination of affordable rates, consistent quality across brands, complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi, and a rewarding loyalty program makes Choice Hotels a compelling option for road trippers seeking budget-friendly accommodations without sacrificing essential comforts and conveniences.

Conclusion

The exploration of top hotel chains for road trip adventures reveals a diverse landscape of options to suit various traveler preferences and needs. From Best Western’s pet-friendly policies and exterior-corridor convenience to Marriott’s luxury offerings and robust rewards program, and Choice Hotels’ budget-friendly accommodations with essential amenities, road trippers have a wealth of choices to enhance their journey. These hotel chains have a significant impact on the road trip experience, providing comfort, convenience, and value along the way.

As travelers hit the open road, the selection of the right hotel chain can make a big difference in their overall adventure. Whether prioritizing affordability, luxury, or specific amenities, the options discussed offer something for every road tripper. By leveraging loyalty programs, taking advantage of complimentary services, and choosing brands that align with their travel style, adventurers can create memorable experiences while enjoying reliable and comfortable accommodations throughout their journey.

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