USA TODAY 10Best
Red Roof Inn wins title of Best Budget Hotel Brand
Best Budget Hotel Brand (2017)
Let's face it, travel can be expensive, and for many a traveler, accommodation carves out a huge chunk of the travel budget. With affordable rates and frequent freebies (like breakfast and WiFi), these 10 hotel brands, voted as the best in the U.S. by 10Best readers, appeal to wallet-conscious travelers looking to make their dollar go further.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Budget Hotel Brand are as follows:
- Comfort Inn & Suites
- La Quinta
- Homewood Suites by Hilton
- Best Western Hotels and Resorts
- Hampton by Hilton
- Extended Stay America
- Americas Best Value Inn
- Motel 6
- Candlewood Suites
- Red Roof Inn
Photo courtesy of Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
No. 10:
With locations throughout the U.S., Comfort Inn & Suites (part of Choice Hotels International) offers guests comfortable rooms with appealing amenities like free hot breakfast, WiFi and even a choice of firm and soft pillows on the bed. Hundreds of properties across the country have recently undergone a complete redesign, giving them a fresh new feel.
Photo courtesy of La Quinta Inns and Suites
No. 9:
La Quintas are recognizable for their Spanish-inspired architecture. A free continental breakfast bar is a great way to start the day at this moderately-priced hotel chain. Special rates, including travel packages and weekend deals, make planning a well thought out adventure or a last-minute sojourn easy and affordable. In case you were wondering, the name translates to "the country place."
Photo courtesy of (c) 2017 Homewood
No. 8:
Residential-style and catering towards those looking for a place to stay for a while, Homewood Suites by Hilton Worldwide offer studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms for incredibly affordable prices. All rooms have kitchens, dining areas and at least one TV. Bathrooms are outfitted with Neutrogena products. Outdoor grills and a free grocery shopping service make cooking at the hotel a convenient money-saver.
Photo courtesy of Best Western
No. 7:
Best Western has been serving travelers from 70 years with its flagship properties located around the globe. No matter where in the world they are, guests can almost always expect free breakfast and high speed internet, in-room coffee and access to a guest computer and printer in the lobby. Many rooms also include flat screen TVs, microwaves, refrigerators and work spaces.
Photo courtesy of (c) 2017 Hampton
No. 6:
Hampton Inn promises great value, and they deliver. Among the budget-friendly chains, they are most well-known by travelers for their free, hot breakfasts (think fresh waffles and oatmeal). Their rooms are equally appetizing and outfitted with free wifi and lap desks, great for those on business.
Photo courtesy of Extended Stay America
No. 5:
Budget-minded travelers who find themselves spending multiple nights on the road make up Extended Stay America's customer base. Each suite comes with a fully equipped kitchen and flat screen TV. Other on-site amenities include airport shuttles, a "grab and go breakfast" and a laundry room. Some locations even have fitness centers and pools.
Photo courtesy of Americas Best Value Inn
No. 4:
Americas Best Value Inn is one of the fastest growing budget hotel chains in the country with over 1,000 locations dotting the map. Most of the inns serve a complimentary breakfast and offer free wi-fi. The hotel chain also provides a Hello Rewards club that offers members a free night every seven stays, making this chain a favorite with frequent and penny-wise travelers alike.
No. 3:
Well loved and easily recognized by those traveling America's roadways, Motel 6 has made a name for itself by being clean, friendly, dependable and most importantly, affordable. Expanded cable TV and pet-friendly rooms make this hotel a good choice for those looking to stay within their budget. Free coffee in the mornings makes getting up and getting going a pleasure.
Photo courtesy of Candlewood Suites
No. 2:
Candlewood Suites, a budget extended stay hotel chain, makes sleeping away from home, for a couple of days or for a few weeks, an affordable pleasure. Each suite comes with a fully equipped kitchen (including silverware!), making cooking budget-friendly meals a possible alternative to pricey restaurants. Travelers can pick from studios or one bedrooms. Larger suites are still reasonably priced, making this a favorite with traveling families.
Photo courtesy of Red Roof Inn
No. 1:
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Marla Cimini (USA TODAY), Claire Endean-Cance (Luxury Travel Diary), Eric Grossman, Gerrish Lopez, Christopher Parr (Pursuitist) and Nancy Trejos (USA TODAY) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of the hotel scene across the nation.
Congratulations to all these wallet-friendly hotel brands.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr is the Founder and... Read More
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist, one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel guides. Named a "Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger” by USA Today 10Best, Parr has also been selected as the official winner in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ 2023 list of the “Top 50 Best Luxury Influencers and Bloggers in the World.” In addition to Pursuitist, Christopher is a contributor to numerous travel and luxury publications and TV shows, including being the host of Travel Tuesday on CBS. Follow along on Twitter.
Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist, one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel guides. Named a "Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger” by USA Today 10Best, Parr has also been selected as the official winner in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ 2023 list of the “Top 50 Best Luxury Influencers and Bloggers in the World.” In addition to Pursuitist, Christopher is a contributor to numerous travel and luxury publications and TV shows, including being the host of Travel Tuesday on CBS. Follow along on Twitter.
Claire Endean-Cance
Claire Endean-Cance is the co-founder of Luxury... Read More
Claire Endean-Cance is the co-founder of Luxury Travel Diary– a blog about the best luxury accommodation and the most exclusive transport for your travels. Additional features hi-light essential style & fashion items required for luxury travel. The site also hosts their own online auctions, allowing users to bid on a dream holiday or luxury items.
Claire Endean-Cance
Claire Endean-Cance is the co-founder of Luxury Travel Diary– a blog about the best luxury accommodation and the most exclusive transport for your travels. Additional features hi-light essential style & fashion items required for luxury travel. The site also hosts their own online auctions, allowing users to bid on a dream holiday or luxury items.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel... Read More
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Nancy Trejos
Nancy Trejos is the travel and hotels reporter for... Read More
Nancy Trejos is the travel and hotels reporter for USA TODAY, where she writes about her favorite hobby: Traveling. She's been all over, from Chicago to Colombia, Nevada to Nairobi, Boston to Beirut. She's also covered education, Iraq, and personal finance.
Nancy Trejos
Nancy Trejos is the travel and hotels reporter for USA TODAY, where she writes about her favorite hobby: Traveling. She's been all over, from Chicago to Colombia, Nevada to Nairobi, Boston to Beirut. She's also covered education, Iraq, and personal finance.
