cheap motels

can anyone suggest the name of cheapish motel chains? I'm familiar with
these in Europe, but not here!

Also, what would be standard provision in a room? Again, in Europe, I know
that's a double bed, plus a bunk bed over it, so we could do one room if we
brought a travel cot, but don't know what is normal here.

Thanks

Anne

"Anne Rogers" wrote in message
...
can anyone suggest the name of cheapish motel chains? I'm familiar with
these in Europe, but not here!

Reasonably priced hotel/motel chains include: Comfort Inn (and the Sleep
Inn, owned by the same parent company), Super 8, Motel 6, Howard Johnsons.
Depending on where you are going, the price will vary, but in a not too
expensive, not too touristy area, somewhere in the $60-$99 per night range
is common.

A 'regular' room generally will include either two double beds or two queen
beds or one king size bed. Most of the time, the room will have a small
table and a chair, a desk (but not always), a nightstand, a TV with cable or
sattelite, a phone that charges HUGE fees (check if local calls are free or
not), heat/airconditioning that you can set to your comfort level, a
bathroom with a toilet, sink, tub/shower combo (sometimes the sink/mirror is
separate from the toilet/tub/shower). Often you will find a clock radio, in
room coffeemaker and continental breakfast in the lobby. If you need a
crib, ask both when you make the reservation and when you check in...most
hotels can provide one (usually it is a pack and play) but you can't always
count on it, they often only have a couple for the whole hotel and you might
be stuck without it. Depending on the location, there is probably about a
50/50 chance that there will be an indoor pool at the hotel, so check ahead
of time and pack your suits if necessary!

Try finding someone you know who is a member of AAA (if you aren't) and see
if they will get you the travel guide book for the state or area you are
visiting...the guidebook lists most hotels in most areas and gives ratings
and describes the facilities of each property and shows the prices.

Hope this helps.
Tracey in CT

"Tracey" wrote in message
t...

"Anne Rogers" wrote in message
...
can anyone suggest the name of cheapish motel chains? I'm familiar with
these in Europe, but not here!

Reasonably priced hotel/motel chains include: Comfort Inn (and the Sleep
Inn, owned by the same parent company), Super 8, Motel 6, Howard Johnsons.

I remember once being told that Howard Johnsons were more expensive but they
created a motel chain that was lower end and called it HoJo's. I have never
stayed at either, but I know of a Howard Johnson's that looked rather nice,
not like it was cheap. Their HoJo's looked like Motel 6's.

"toypup" wrote in message
. net...
I remember once being told that Howard Johnsons were more expensive but
they created a motel chain that was lower end and called it HoJo's. I
have never stayed at either, but I know of a Howard Johnson's that looked
rather nice, not like it was cheap. Their HoJo's looked like Motel 6's.

That is interesting...I always thought that HoJo's was just a nickname for
Howard Johnsons.

"Anne Rogers" wrote:

can anyone suggest the name of cheapish motel chains? I'm familiar with
these in Europe, but not here!

Also, what would be standard provision in a room? Again, in Europe, I know
that's a double bed, plus a bunk bed over it, so we could do one room if we
brought a travel cot, but don't know what is normal here.

Most motel rooms will have two beds - either two doubles or two
queens, or one king size bed. In a king bed room, there's usually
lots of extra floor space and there may also be a hide-a-bed sofa.
You can also usually get cots (i.e. a folding bed and not what we call
a crib) and cribs (your cot) from the motel although be aware that the
cribs may not be the built to the most up-to-date safety standards.
In some chains, children stay free in their parents' rooms.

Many places have some kind of pool, a workout room, something for
breakfast, and cable TV. Some of them may also have a small
refrigerator and/or microwave, internet access or laundry facilities
(coin operated washers and dryers), and a restaurant on site. If they
have a restaurant, they don't usually also have a microwave or free
breakfast.


When we lived in California, I used to stay in MOTEL 6 (which in those
days was actually $6), but have not been to one of those in some time.
Amenities Available at Every Motel 6 Location: 800-4-MOTEL6
http://www.motel6.com/reservations/index.asp
# Kids Stay Free (under 17)
# Pets Welcome
# Free HBO & ESPN
# Data Ports
# Free Local Phone
# Free Morning Coffee




**SUPER 8 (1-800-800-8000)
http://www.super8.com/Super8/control...earch?variant=
advertises that they will meet any competitor's price, and sometimes
that they will accept coupons from competitors. Sometimes their
hotels are purpose-built (built for them) and sometimes they've taken
over hotels that were formerly another chain. Those taken over hotels
tend IMHO to be better built and may have a pool. The ones that are
built for them tend to be 3 story and have a problem with sound
proofing. They often have a free breakfast of some type.I have stayed
at Super 8s that were inexpensive and good, and I've stay in them
where they were noisy and charged extra for local calls including
requiring a deposit before they would activate the phone (Orlando).
They belong to the "Trip Awards" group that includes AmeriHost
Inn®,Baymont Inn & Suites®, Days Inn®, Howard Johnson®, Knights Inn®,
Ramada®, Travelodge® (U.S. hotels only), and Wingate Inn® hotels

I have also stayed at the Baymont Inn & Suites, and the one I stayed
at was QUITE nice, and had a free breakfast that was the equivalent of
the Hampton Inn or Sleep Inn which have the best breakfasts.



** We have been happy at the SLEEP INN, which says "We guarantee the
best online rates* for any Choice hotel [Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites,
Quality Inn, Clarion, EconoLodge, Rodeway Inn, Cambria Suites,
Suburban and Mainstay Suites]...and it's easy. Just book your room
here. If you find a lower rate for the same hotel and room type on the
same date at any other online source, simply let us know. Complete the
Best Choice e-Rate Guarantee form and we'll give you the best
rate...plus an additional 10% off!"

All rooms have an oversized work area with bright task lighting,
telephone with data port, convenient desk-height electrical outlets,
remote-controlled color TV and electronic door locks, free continental
breakfast, free high-speed Internet access, in-room coffee service,
and a free USA Today or The Wall Street Journal, and free local calls
http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/SleepHome 1-877-424-6423

I've also stayed at a Qaulity Inn - it is the cheapest near my dd#2 in
Miami, but it isn't as nice as the Sleep Inn IMHO.



**My favorite is the HAMPTON INN, which is slightly higher in price,
but they have a satisfaction guarantee, and a very nice free breakfast
(not just rolls and coffee, but a big breakfast with cereal, waffles,
some kind of eggs, fruit, juice etc) and free local calls, free wi-fi
and usually an outdoor pool. They don't have a restaurant on site.

They are now part of the Hilton network which includes | Conrad
Hotels | Doubletree | Embassy Suites Hotels | Hampton Inn &
Suites | Hilton Garden Inn | Homewood Suites by Hilton and
Scandic. None of those are what I would call cheap however, and I
would not recommend anything except the Hampton which will be more
expensive than the Sleep Inn or Super 8. 1-800-HAMPTON
http://hamptoninn1.hilton.com/

"Tracey" wrote in message
t...

"Anne Rogers" wrote in message
...
can anyone suggest the name of cheapish motel chains? I'm familiar with
these in Europe, but not here!

Reasonably priced hotel/motel chains include: Comfort Inn (and the Sleep
Inn, owned by the same parent company), Super 8, Motel 6, Howard Johnsons.
Depending on where you are going, the price will vary, but in a not too
expensive, not too touristy area, somewhere in the $60-$99 per night range
is common.

A 'regular' room generally will include either two double beds or two
queen beds or one king size bed. Most of the time, the room will have a
small table and a chair, a desk (but not always), a nightstand, a TV with
cable or sattelite, a phone that charges HUGE fees (check if local calls
are free or not),

Better yet, use your cell phone if minutes are not going to be an issue. If
minutes are going to be an issue, get a discount phone card.

heat/airconditioning that you can set to your comfort level, a bathroom
with a toilet, sink, tub/shower combo (sometimes the sink/mirror is
separate from the toilet/tub/shower). Often you will find a clock radio,
in room coffeemaker and continental breakfast in the lobby. If you need a
crib, ask both when you make the reservation and when you check in...most
hotels can provide one (usually it is a pack and play) but you can't
always count on it, they often only have a couple for the whole hotel and
you might be stuck without it. Depending on the location, there is
probably about a 50/50 chance that there will be an indoor pool at the
hotel, so check ahead of time and pack your suits if necessary!

You can always call ahead and ask what's in the room and ask for an extra
bed or cot, as needed.

Also, a lot of hotels have either wired or wireless internet access, but
sometimes you have to pay extra for it. The last time I stayed in a Super 8,
it was wireless and free.

Try finding someone you know who is a member of AAA (if you aren't) and
see if they will get you the travel guide book for the state or area you
are visiting...the guidebook lists most hotels in most areas and gives
ratings and describes the facilities of each property and shows the
prices.

You can also get good rates by booking on the net. There are many services,
like Expedia, that let you book hotels and motels. Plus, if you join the
AAA, you will get discounts at some motels when you show your card.

Hope this helps.
Tracey in CT

"Tracey" wrote in message
...

"toypup" wrote in message
. net...
I remember once being told that Howard Johnsons were more expensive but
they created a motel chain that was lower end and called it HoJo's. I
have never stayed at either, but I know of a Howard Johnson's that looked
rather nice, not like it was cheap. Their HoJo's looked like Motel 6's.

That is interesting...I always thought that HoJo's was just a nickname for
Howard Johnsons.

That's my understanding as well. There are quite a few Howard Johnson
nostalgia sites on the web.

"deja.blues" wrote in message
news:ajRzh.395$103.288@trndny05...

"Tracey" wrote in message
...

"toypup" wrote in message
. net...
I remember once being told that Howard Johnsons were more expensive but
they created a motel chain that was lower end and called it HoJo's. I
have never stayed at either, but I know of a Howard Johnson's that
looked rather nice, not like it was cheap. Their HoJo's looked like
Motel 6's.

That is interesting...I always thought that HoJo's was just a nickname
for Howard Johnsons.

That's my understanding as well. There are quite a few Howard Johnson
nostalgia sites on the web.

I dunno the real details. I figured HoJo's started out as a nickname and
they ended up using it for their lower end motels? I've seen hotels labeled
"Howard Johnson's" and the motels labeled "HoJo's." Of course, you can
correct me because it's all assumptions. Maybe they're all HoJo's and just
the newer ones have the HoJo's signs?

"toypup" wrote in message
et...
I dunno the real details. I figured HoJo's started out as a
nickname and they ended up using it for their lower end motels?
I've seen hotels labeled "Howard Johnson's" and the motels labeled
"HoJo's." Of course, you can correct me because it's all
assumptions. Maybe they're all HoJo's and just the newer ones have
the HoJo's signs?

According to the Howard Johson's website (www.hojo.com), they have
four "tiers" of hotels:

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel

Howard Johnson Hotel

Howard Johnson Inn

Howard Johnson Express Inn



It appears that none are called "HoJos", but they do vary in
amenities, with the Plaza hotels being the fanciest, and the Express
being the most basic.



Bizby

"bizby40" wrote in message
...

"toypup" wrote in message
et...
I dunno the real details. I figured HoJo's started out as a nickname and
they ended up using it for their lower end motels? I've seen hotels
labeled "Howard Johnson's" and the motels labeled "HoJo's." Of course,
you can correct me because it's all assumptions. Maybe they're all
HoJo's and just the newer ones have the HoJo's signs?

According to the Howard Johson's website (www.hojo.com), they have four
"tiers" of hotels:

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel

Howard Johnson Hotel

Howard Johnson Inn

Howard Johnson Express Inn



It appears that none are called "HoJos", but they do vary in amenities,
with the Plaza hotels being the fanciest, and the Express being the most
basic.

I know for sure I've seen HoJo's signs that actually say HoJo's, but I've
only seen them on motels. Why do they confuse us so?