USA TODAY 10Best
Best Budget Friendly Hotel Brand? Motel 6
Best Budget Hotel Brand (2022)
Lodging can easily become one of the greatest costs of travel, but you shouldn't have to blow through your budget or stay in a tiny, boring room in order to save money. These hotel brands combine affordable rates, plenty of amenities and even some freebies to set the scene for a comfortable and wallet-friendly stay—whether for business or pleasure.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand are as follows:
- Embassy Suites
- Residence Inn
- Hampton by Hilton
- La Quinta by Wyndham
- Graduate Hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Best Western Hotels & Resorts
- Country Inn & Suites
- Red Roof
- Motel 6
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
No. 10:
Embassy Suites are most popularly known for their spacious rooms, complimentary free breakfast, evening reception, and on-site dining, all within each hotel and at an ideal rate. Guests that stay with Embassy are offered indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centers, and experiences that cannot be passed up. Special deals and packages are always a win, especially when tied with the helpful staff and pet-friendly hotels.
Photo courtesy of Residence Inn
No. 9:
With over 850 locations worldwide, Residence Inn offers spacious, comfortable suites with kitchenettes and living areas, plus amenities such as free breakfast buffets, free WiFi, and modern fitness centers. Their budget-friendly pricing is well suited for groups, families, or those looking for an extended stay hotel.
Photo courtesy of Hampton by Hilton
No. 8:
Hampton by Hilton promises great value, and then 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 appealing and outfitted with free wifi. Other perks include digital check-in, fitness center and a 24-hour business center.
Photo courtesy of La Quinta by Wyndham
No. 7:
La Quinta hotels are recognizable for their Spanish-inspired architecture. A free continental breakfast bar is a great way to start the day at this affordable 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 David Mitchell
No. 6:
Embrace the things that matter most at Graduate Hotels, a collection of hand-crafted hotels that represent the area they are located in. Guests are welcomed into a warm atmosphere where they can enjoy cozy rooms designed for relaxation and entertainment. Graduate Food Hall provides various food and beverage options, room service, and dining services.
Photo courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott
No. 5:
Courtyard by Marriott offers an affordable solution for business travelers, with a modern lobby perfect for getting some work done outside the room, and amenities like free wifi, flexible workspaces, gym and temperature-controlled pool. There are more than 1,100 locations across more than 50 countries and territories.
Photo courtesy of Best Western Hotels & Resorts
No. 4:
Best Western and Best Western Plus have been serving travelers for 70 years with more than 4,700 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 Radisson Hotel Group Americas
No. 3:
Signature amenities at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson include a complimentary grab-and-go breakfast each morning, free WiFi and fitness centers. Travelers will find more than 456 locations across the Americas.
No. 2:
Red Roof is proud to be leaders in the game of economy hotels and motels. Spacious standard rooms feature free wifi, desk workspace and extra outlets for charging devices. Their upgraded Red Roof Plus rooms are outfitted with Serta mattresses, wood-like flooring and sleek furnishings. Upgraded linens and towels make all the difference as do the extra inches on the flat screen TV.
No. 1:
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.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning 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
Ava Roxanne Stritt
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Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
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Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
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.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist... Read More
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Catherine Smith
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Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility Coordinator for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, has a special interest in health and wellness, family travel, women's solo travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility Coordinator for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, has a special interest in health and wellness, family travel, women's solo travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
