Best Beds for the Buck
Consumer Reports has just released its tally of hotels that offer the best value. These are the results of a 2006 survey of 35,000 CR subscribers. They spent a total of 139,000 nights in hotels. The respondents nominated what they found to be the best hotel deals, determined by value, service and upkeep, among other factors. The hotels were ranked in five categories.
Here's a description of the survey, including tips on booking. For the full skinny, check out the July issue of CR. But here's the summary:
1. Fanciest (rates between $130 and $350): Ritz Carlton, hands down.
2. Luxury ($89 to $218): Renaissance, Embassy Suites, Westin, Marriott, Omni, Hyatt. All gained around the same number of votes.
3. Upscale ($70 to $235) Homewood Suites, Springhill Suites, Residence Inn by Marriott. This is the category with the best bargains, by the account of CR respondents. Walt Disney Resorts in Florida and California got particularly high points.
4. Moderate ($58 to $85) Drury Inn/Suites, Hampton inn, Wingate Inn..
5. Budget ($40 to $85) Microtel. It's as good as some of the far pricier chains, by CR's account.
Seventy percent of the folks who participated in the survey said they were able to get better rates at hotels when they haggled, particularly when the haggling was face to face with a hotel manager.
We wonder how our well-traveled readers react to these findings. Any surprises? Are there other hotels you would nominate in any of the categories?
By Gary Lee |
June 6, 2007; 2:27 PM ET
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Posted by: Mark | June 7, 2007 4:44 PM
Whoa, these categories mix hotel brands that I wouldn't use in the same breath. Please wake me up when Embassy Suites is considered a "luxury" hotel. I stayed in one recently - not my choice - that looked an awful lot like Paris Hilton's recent accommodations at Hotel Slammah. Okay, that's a slight exaggeration, but it was definitely the lowlight of the trip. I also wouldn't call the 3rd group of hotels "upscale" by any stretch, maybe more business or family-friendly. Granted, consumer surveys don't always match someone's personal experiences, so here are my recommendations for value.
"Best value" hotels offer a lot of great service and amenities (not to mention location, location) that others in the same price point won't. This means that even properties within the same hotel brand will vary in quality - so you really have to dig around, solicit recommendations or word of mouth, read comprehensive reviews, or know by experience. It pays to travel during shoulder season so you're not shelling out more than is necessary. I say if the hotel experience is important to you - then go for the best hotel you can afford that has a reputation for treating customers well (think Nordstrom if they had a hotel).
Full service hotels like the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton are gems. The high cost is worth splurging on occasion. However, for most trips - I find that Hyatt and Westin hotels are perfectly fine, especially if they have been recently renovated and offer something "extra" like a full day spa.
For real budget friendly hotels, go online and check out your favorite travel books, WaPo, or NYT for the skinny. Don't trust convention and visitors bureaus websites. Also, it doesn't hurt to check out a bed & breakfast if you want value. If you've ever stayed in one you loved, there might be a nice one at your destination. Call your fave b&b and see if by chance they know of a good proprietor where you're headed.
Posted by: Hot Mikado | June 8, 2007 12:35 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I have been so spoiled by Priceline that I rarely use another method. I don't know what will happen when I'm forced to pay the rack rates. Last week I got a room for two nights at the Marriott Renaissance in Charleston, SC in the middle of the Spoleto Festival for $135/night. Rack rate was $300. The website biddingfortravel.com is where winning bidders post their prices, hotels, and methods. I have easily saved thousands of dollars. FWIW I do not work for or own stock in Priceline.