Budget Hotels? It’s a no for me.

Yep, I said and I’m not taking it back. Budget hotels suck and I’m not sleeping there.

Ok, that was bit much – but hear me out before you roll your eyes and pass judgement.

It’s been a long time coming and honestly it’s growth. I’m kind of proud now that I think it about.

So, when I first began traveling solo around seven years ago I only stayed at budget hotels. I was a third party girl, who would continuously refresh Expedia and Priceline apps for the best possible deals. Simultaneously, entering all the promo codes my little heart could find. I did not want to pay over $100 a night, my goal was right at $80. And at the time my favorite brand was Best Western Plus. The rooms were spacious and clean, free wifi, free parking and free breakfast. During my early years I would bounce around from there to Holiday Inn to Fairfield Inn to Comfort Inn. I would even play around with some unknown hotel brands if they had decent reviews.

However – I did not stay at any motels. My personal definition of a motel is when your room’s front door can be entered directly from the parking lot. No Motel 6, America’s Best Value Inn, Super 8, Red Roof Inn, Travelodge……you get the point? There is not enough safety provided as a solo female traveler and I don’t recommend it.

But, anyhow, back to the story.

For the first three years of traveling, budget hotels were all that I knew. Not only was I obviously on a budget, but I used to think it was a waste of money to spend so much on a room when you would be out all day site seeing! All I needed was a place to sleep for a few hours and a warm shower, I thought all those people spending $200 and up on a room had it all wrong.

And, as with most things in life as you get older, you find out that you were completely wrong.

Nice hotels are actually um kinda nice and might be worth it.

Who knew?

Now, everyone has the personal definition of nice, for the sake of this post I’m referencing the hotels listed in premium hotels and above in the chart below. Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of moving my way towards the top of the pyramid.

My last hotel stay in San Francisco was at the Four Seasons. A personal travel goal of mine that I thought I would never accomplish. On the pyramid above, it’s only listed as a “supreme luxury hotel”. I wasn’t even aware of the highest level, “ultimate luxury hotels”! I thought my next goal of staying at the Mandarin Oriental was gonna be a feat, I guess I’ll add the other three to my goals list as well!

After staying at the Four Seasons, resting my weary tourist body on the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever laid on, a few thoughts ran through my head. One, I felt that the hotel didn’t wow me like I thought it would. Two, damn I’ve come a long way! From the Best Western to the Ritz Carlton to the St. Regis and finally the Four Seasons! Birdman voice, “Put some respeck on my name!” Just kidding. And third thought, which brings us to the topic at hand. Why do I no longer stay at budget hotels anymore?

I mean I do still travel on a budget, granted maybe a slightly higher one – but not by much. But to sum it up, I think it’s three reasons.

1. The Comfort and The Smell – yep the smell. I feel like many budget hotels were previously smoking hotels or either really old. In my opinion, they use cheaper and/or stronger cleaning products – it’s just this smell that I’ve noticed that all budget hotels have. Even the sheets feel itchy and leave me wondering did the hotel have bed bugs or is it the strong chemicals in the laundry soap. On top of that, even with the strong chemical scent, sometimes the rooms don’t even feel clean! No Ma’am. I don’t live uncomfortably at home, so why would I live like that while traveling? If it doesn’t smell like the Westin, I don’t want it.
2. Location – I used to stay at hotels that were so far from attractions. It would take away from my trips and sometimes I would avoid doing things because it would be such a headache getting back to my hotel. I would dread the long rides back to the room or have to leave events early because of public transportation when I did not have a car. I feel that more moderate priced, centrally located hotels are worth it in the end, because it saves you valuable time while traveling. And time is such an important factor while traveling.
3. Hotel Perks – I remember the exact moment I was done with Priceline. I was so tired from a long place ride and I couldn’t check into my hotel until 4pm. I recall watching other people check in with the front desk and felt that the clerk was being unfair with me. Little did I know, when you book directly with the hotel you can check in early. Even better, once you start acquiring status you can check in at a.m. hours. I have status with Marriott and I’ve checked in several times around 8 am when it’s normally 3 pm! I also get to check out as late as 4pm.

So see there! Still feeling the need to roll your eyes haha?

As of now, according to the chart, I tend to stay in the premium and mass market hotels. And throw in a stay at an aspirational hotel when my bank account is looking cute. But, all in all my reason for ending my relationship with cheap budget hotels is all about comfort and how it serves me. Just like with all relationship in life. The End.

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How do you factor on where you stay at while traveling? Are there certain brands that you avoid? What are your favorite hotel brands and why? I really do enjoy the Westin and would stay there exclusively if I could. Can wait to read your comment!