Why to never stay with choice hotels - FlyerTalk Forums (2025)

egoods

Suspended

Join Date: Feb 2008

Location: DTW

Posts: 63

This is really important! I've found that their own internal rating system is pretty accurate, but I always double check from a second source.

In 250 nights, 75 separate stays (over almost 2 years) I've only had two bad experiences. One was a toilet that backed up in the middle of the night and became a biohazard (apparently it was a known issue... I flipped, the manager ended up giving me my stay for free). Second was a Comfort Suites in Georgia somewhere that accused me of stealing two pillows... they called me a couple hours after I left, and the manager was extremely accusatory. I only had my laptop back and small roller bag (half size carry-on). A quick email to corporate and I received an apology from the manager directly, and 10.000 points. It's basic customer service, you don't EVER accuse even if you're 100% sure, the consequences for being wrong are much greater than the cost of those supposed pillows I took. I stayed there a few weeks later and stole a role of TP and wash-cloth... because I'm passive aggressive like that

Otherwise I've found that they're a pretty great chain of budget hotels with locations EVERYWHERE, I end up in small towns pretty regularly and often times it's a Choice hotel or no-brand. If I'm in a bigger city (the other half of my time) I'll pick a Hilton or IHG property, but when the pickens are slim Choice is your best bet.

storewanderer

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Window Seat

Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor

Posts: 2,953

I found with Choice if you stick to the Comfort brand you should be okay. Quality is generally iffy but not horrible, and I wouldn't be caught dead in an Econo Lodge or Rodeway. Out west we do not have many Sleep Inns but I did stay in one Sleep Inn back in Missouri which I was satisfied with, for the price.

But you get what you pay for. An Econo or Rodeway may cost $49 in a location where Comfort Inn is $79 and Hampton Inn is $99.

At $99 rates, Hampton can afford to comp rooms when someone complains. These Choice brands are working on far lower rates and can't really afford to comp a room every time someone is unhappy with a little issue...

Of course you have to check your receipt at check out at these places. I found odd safe charges or other bogus fees on my Choice bills at check out on more than one trip in more than one state. After insisting on removal the removal was done but the hotel management was rather shady about the whole thing in my opinion. One even guilt tripped me about not wanting to contribute to their "green energy program fund." No I do not want to give you $1.50 fee per day for that. Wait it wasn't even my money... it was being charged back to the client, but still.