6 Hotel Brands to Avoid

Special Report

Published: January 31, 2024 11:48 am

Choosing which hotel to stay at can feel a little overwhelming nowadays. There is so much marketing, and having a brand name that you really trust is an important factor to consider. Generally speaking, branded hotels have a similar quality level across the chain (there are, of course, exceptions), so researching which brand is the best is worth the time spent. Today, we’re going to look at six hotel brands you should probably be avoiding during your next travels, plus learn a little about each chain specifically.

To compile this list, 24/7 Wall Street used data from a study conducted by Bounce to form a list of the worst review hotel chains. The study also looked at the most/least successful brands, along with the highest-reviewed brands. To determine the lowest user score, Bounce used user review data and gave it a score out of 5. For the other scores (specifically most and least successful brands), a while grading scale was used that took into account 5-star locations, availability, and annual search volume and sales. In this regard, exclusivity and fewer locations were punished, so we didn’t find this to be a great representation of what makes a brand great.

Let’s get started!

6. Motel 6

Motel 6 is an extended-stay hotel, usually just referred to as a “motel”.

Score: 3.0
Ownership: G6 Hospitality
Locations: 1,430

Motel 6 is one of the most numerous and popular “extended-stay” hotel brands in the United States, but they don’t have the highest user score and end up at number six on the list. Rather surprisingly, Motel 6 is owned by G6 Hospitality, which is itself a branch of The Blackstone Group’s real-estate arm. The chain sits as an economy option for customers, which is likely part of the reason that it isn’t well-loved by the people who stay. When it comes to lodging, the most cost-efficient options generally don’t score the best.

5. Hampton By Hilton

Hampton by Hilton belongs to the larger family of hotels operated by Hilton.

Score: 3.0/5
Ownership: Hilton Worldwide
Locations: 2,544

Hampton by Hilton is probably more commonly known as Hampton Inn or Hampton Inn & Suites but was later rebranded. The brand sits as a mid-level budget option from Hilton (NYSE: HLT), designed to compete against similar brands like Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Comfort Inn. Despite low scores, the brand has made an effort to increase its appeal to a younger crowd, something that has certainly paid off, at least based on the revenue reports from Hilton.

4. Days Inn

Days Inn by Mike Mozart — Days Inn is a budget option with locations all over the United States.

Score: 2.7/5
Ownership: Wyndham Hotel Group
Locations: 1,551

The Days Inn is the first highest-rated entry from Wyndham on our list, which is an award they certainly don’t want. Originally founded by Cecil B. Day in Tybee Island, Georgia, it is now a widespread chain with a few variations (Days Hotel, Days Suites, Days Lodge, and more). Days is primarily an economy option, with its primary price-point competition being Super 8, Quality Inn, and Holiday Inn.

3. Wyndham Hotels

The broad umbrella of hotels run by Wyndham totals over 20 individual brands.

Score: 2.7/5
Ownership: Wyndham Hotel Group
Locations: 9,280 (all franchised locations)

Wyndham claims to be the largest hotel franchiser in the world, and with over 20 brands, it’s probably a valid claim. Some of the major brands under the Wyndham umbrella include Baymore, Days Inn, La Quinta, Super 8, and Travelodge, although there are quite a few more. Wyndham has a self-named chain, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which was specifically ranked as the third-best-reviewed hotel brand. There are around 156 of these locations.

2. Ramada

Ramada was divested into the Wyndham portfolio nearly 20 years ago after Blackstone bought Cedant.

Score: 2.4/5
Ownership: Wyndham Hotel Group
Locations: 919

Continuing with brands owned by Wyndham, we have Ramada. Ramada technically no longer owns or operates any Ramada hotels after a major restructuring of Cedant, an older hospitality group that was bought by Blackstone (yes, Blackstone technically owns Wyndham, too). There are different tiers of Ramada, including Ramada Limited (a budget lodging option), all the way up to Ramada Resorts, an international touristy location in high-traffic regions.

1. Econo Lodge

Lauderdale-Econolodge by Kolossos — Econolodge had poor ratings due to hidden fees and a misleading breakfast.

Score: 2.3/5
Ownership: Choice Hotels
Locations: 779

And for our winner (loser?) of the bunch, we have Econo Lodge. With economy built into the name, it’s no wonder that it is the lowest reviewed of them all. Econo Lodge is the most prevalent chain within the Choice Hotel Group’s portfolio, primarily because of hidden fees and extremely limited breakfast options. If you want to make sure your customers don’t like you, mess with their breakfast and charge them when they weren’t expecting it!