Do you prefer to stay at chain hotels?

[Mattg]

Many people that regularly stay in hotels choose to stay loyal to one or a few hotel chains (e.g. Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Accor etc.) in order to build up their points and maximise their status benefits.

I often choose chain hotels, for example, if I want a late checkout or in order to take advantage of free breakfast, the possibility to get upgraded etc. due to my status with that hotel chain.

One thing about staying at chain hotels though is that it sometimes limits your options. Another factor, which could be a benefit or not, is that the rooms at chain hotels (within the same brand) often look and feel the same. This means they are familiar, but there's not as much variety and some chain hotels are quite generic and bland.

Are you loyal to a particular chain hotel, or do you prefer to stay at smaller/boutique hotels? Why/why not?

 

[SYD]

When visiting somewhere for the first time, I usually look at the usual suspect chains to see what might work but also consult things like TripAdviser to see what better options might be around.

If a non major chain, then it becomes a choice of say booking direct or via QF Hotels or the OTA of your choice (some, like Expedia provide VIP perks at many properties).

 

[RooFlyer]

I am not loyal to a chain. I do chase status matches or grants (eg Hilton Diamond via VA Plat) and then, if that chain has a place in the right place and for right price where I want, I'll stay there in preference to anywhere else. But not if its across town, even if it'll get me free breakfast or a room upgrade.

I'll choose the 'status' chain over a no-name chain and pay a few bucks more if they are in the same area.

I choose hotels on 1) Location 2) price 3) Amenity (such as parking if I need it) and then 4) If I have status with a chain.

I've just been selecting hotels for a coming trip of several weeks around Europe. Roughly the hotels are going to be:

Chains where I have status: 25%; chains where I don't have status 25% (nearly all Accor, as I'm in France a fair bit); boutique hotels 20%, other (B&B, pubs etc) 30%.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Depends on the location and purpose of the trip.

For visits to new, exciting places I like to find somewhere reflective of that place and I'll read reviews and check out visitor pictures etc. because I do find some chains a bit generic -- not always, and within a chain I'll look for properties with more character and charm, especially if the perks are worthwhile.

When staying in places I've visited, or if travelling briefly and/or for work, I'm more likely to look at chains. In conjunction with price, location and perks.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Chain hotels all the way.
In the words of Alex
“I’m a sucker for simulated hospitality”

Ryan
“There’s an industry term for that. It’s a mixture of faux and homey - faumey”

And that’s exactly why I like them !!!!

 

[NM]

I normally end up with a chain hotel, except in small towns there the options are limited. I have two or three preferred chains where I get some benefits.

But the crazy thing is that the most interesting stays I have experienced and enjoyed have been the non-chain places that just fell into place. Some of these are local pubs in small towns in the UK.

The other times I have not used chains tends to be for extended (1 week or longer) holiday stays at places such as the Sunshine Coast, where chain options in decent locations with good amenities are few and considerably dearer than non-chain accommodations.

 

[drron]

For our OS trips it is mostly chain hotels but occasionally a boutique hotel. The benefits of loyalty are usually worth the extra money.
My loyalty does change if what I am receiving isn’t worth the cost.
That said I am only on my 6th preferred program in 40 years.

 

[Scarlett]

I choose hotels on 1) Location 2) price 3) Amenity (such as parking if I need it) and then 4) If I have status with a chain.

100% this.

So to answer the threat proposition: NO.
I’m quite happy to take the hotels.com standing 10% rebate and use it toward future accom stays.

 

[UP4014]

No, choose on location, cost and what's available.

 

[dajop]

Depends on where I'm travelling to.

Europe, cost, location, availability, fit for purpose. Tend to not care so much about hotels as they are literally just a place to sleep and shower, rest of the time we're out and about.

Asia: almost certainly choose a chain hotel, often find that local properties are "not quite right" and it's always nice to have some respite (some exceptions, such as Japan, or places where some local boutique hotels are compelling).

USA: do non-chain hotels actually exist? When I travel to our corporate HQ I stay in a nice "independent" apartment hotel that is a vertical commute from the office, but even they are members of a chain of about 15 properties. On a dollar for dollar basis vastly superior to the big chains though.

Australia/NZ; whatever!

 

[VPS]

I am not loyal to a chain. I do chase status matches or grants (eg Hilton Diamond via VA Plat) and then, if that chain has a place in the right place and for right price where I want, I'll stay there in preference to anywhere else. But not if its across town, even if it'll get me free breakfast or a room upgrade.

I'll choose the 'status' chain over a no-name chain and pay a few bucks more if they are in the same area.

I choose hotels on 1) Location 2) price 3) Amenity (such as parking if I need it) and then 4) If I have status with a chain.

I've just been selecting hotels for a coming trip of several weeks around Europe. Roughly the hotels are going to be:

Chains where I have status: 25%; chains where I don't have status 25% (nearly all Accor, as I'm in France a fair bit); boutique hotels 20%, other (B&B, pubs etc) 30%.

I'm the same. After 4 months travelling recently I did stay in a few Hiltons because I was Diamond. There was a huge variation in how I was treated as a Diamond though.

One of the nicest hotels I stayed in was quite basic in Switzerland but clean and great included breakfast and friendly staff

 

[oz_mark]

It varies. I tend to focus on chains where I like the hotels, however, I won't pay too much extra to particularly stay at a chain.

 

[dairyfloss]

I do like the chains, as I like that there are brand 'standards' and knowing what to expect in different parts of the world, whether that's a JW Marriott in Asia, a Sofitel in Europe, or an InterContinental in the U.S., is helpful.

I was quite ruled by chain loyalty, spending only at properties that would contribute to renewing or increasing status, even at the expense of where we wanted to be in a location. As we've come out of the pandemic, and with more interest in quality over quantity, we find that we are now booking pretty much exactly what we want, and where we want, and taking no chances on what we rewards we might get from a local owner, for our loyalty to a global brand. I also know that with little business travel now for me, I can't maintain status across the spectrum, particularly where the chain only recognises room night volume, vs. spend (i.e. Bonvoy). Accor, Hilton, IHG and some others are manageable.

I take advantage of the points and credit programs towards stays at the chain hotels, but upgrades, breakfast and lounge access are not important when you're already booked in the suites - late checkout, maybe! It was becoming rare to see better than the minimum from many properties, and even less so in the last 12 months where they can charge what they want and still be fully booked, or at high occupancy.

Cheers
Matt.

 

[Lynda2475]

It depends. I always consider location, comfort/amenities (must not have a SHUB or shower curtains) and price.

When planning a trip I work out the area where I want to stay, then search the hotel programs in which I have status (currently IHG, Accor and Hilton) to see what they offer in that area; and rank my preferences.

I will then typically use hotels.com or QF Hotels to see what else is available and whether those other options better suit my needs.

If a chain I have status with is the best option, then I will book that (mostly direct). Otherwise depending on number of nights It might be worth starting the status/loyalty process with another hotel chain; but if best option is independent or part of chain I'm unlikely to stay at enough to get any loyalty benefit I will typically book via QF Hotels and take the PC bonus points.

This year so far I have 9 nights in independent (one is a chain I'm not a member of) and 30 nights in chains I have status with. Plus have another 7 nights on a tour where I do not know the exact hotels yet but i believe are likely to be independents.

Even when looking at brands within a loyalty program there can be inconsistencies.

Within IHG I'm a fan of Indigo (the only one that I've ruled out point blank was the New Orleans one because only Indigo I've come across with a SHUB ick) and I dont mind Voco. Crowne Plaza can be hit and miss (renovated and modern like Hobart is great,others are cookie cutter with a shub like the US ones, no thanks).

Within Acor Novotel feels the same wherever you are, nothing special but can be good value in some locations. Sofitels usually ok but there are a few duds.

Hilton (particularly in the US) can be hard to find options without a SHUB, and at the prices they charge and general large size of US hotel rooms there is always adequate room if they adjust floor plan slight for a walk-in shower.

 

[JohnK]

I love chain hotels but they've priced themselves out of my budget.

I look for value.

We've just checked into a hotel we've never stayed before. This cost me $70/night including breakfast for 2. Looks really great. They want $170/night for Christmas/New Year. I won't be staying here at that time of the year.

 

[luxury-lizard]

I would usually go with chain hotels in large cities - and choose based on location, price, etc etc and also age of the hotel and/or when the most recent renovation was. I don't chase status but have Gold with Hilton (thanks to AmEx) and Platinum with Accor - so this can impact my choice.

Now in small cities / unique locations etc - will usually look for something family owned and run (particularly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland) otherwise something "hip hop and happening".

 

[Quickstatus]

I choose hotels on 1) Location 2) price 3) Amenity

No status in any chain. The HHonors Diamond didn't do it for me.

The number one amenity has to be an easily accessible clothes washer. I do accept an offsite one but it has to be easily accessible. No not the hotel laundry).

 

[drron]

No status in any chain. The HHonors Diamond didn't do it for me.

The number one amenity has to be an easily accessible clothes washer. I do accept an offsite one but it has to be easily accessible. No not the hotel laundry).

Which is why when we travelled the USA we used Hamptons or HGIs as they had a guest laundry at minimal cost. Pity the ones we have used in the UK don't have this. Then again the Poms don't wash much do they?

 

[Sprucegoose]

In the bush prefer good family run hotels over chains.

In the city, the chain needs to work ie Sydney Hilton Is not the best hotel however it is central which is key to my time. Are there better hotels around? There most certainly is; however will I stay at them, not really, I enjoy the convenience of the Hilton. Do I enjoy the upgrade they give me, yes, however is it essential? Absolutely not.

Hotels need to work for you more than their brand. A good hotel will give you a memorable and supported Stay, whereas chain loyalty will give you breakfast or 2000 points for your next horrendous climb up.

I’m glad we are all different.

 

[Scarlett]

Western traveller: pays significant $ to go on international holiday to experience life and culture somewhere different.

Also Western traveller: pays more $ at generic Western multi-star hotel to get away from different culture!



…he says, having just stayed at a Melia property in Yogyakarta last weekend.