USA TODAY 10Best
10 best hotel chains that offer quality and affordability
Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand (2024)
Lodging can easily become one of the biggest expenses when it comes to travel, but you shouldn't have to blow through your budget or stay in a drab room in order to save.
These 10 hotel brands — selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best — combine affordable rates, lots of amenities, and frequent freebies to set the scene for a comfortable and wallet-friendly stay, whether for business or pleasure.
- Best Western
- Staybridge Suites
- Home2 Suites by Hilton
- Aloft Hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Hampton by Hilton
- Holiday Inn Express
- avid hotels by IHG
- Red Roof
- Motel 6
Photo courtesy of Best Western Hotels & Resorts
No. 10:
Best Western and Best Western Plus have been serving travelers for more than 75 years with around 4,500 properties located around the globe. No matter where in the world they are, guests can almost always expect free breakfast, 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 workspaces.
Photo courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts
No. 9:
Staybridge Suites are designed to help guests relax while on the road, whether for a day or a month. The 200-plus hotels across the globe offer spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, large workspaces, flexible storage areas, and free high-speed internet.
Photo courtesy of Home2 Suites by Hilton
No. 8:
Home2 Suites by Hilton — as the name suggests — provides all-suite accommodations and extended stays, with studio and one-bedroom suites conveniently divided into separate sleeping and living areas. These contemporary hotels are pet-friendly and offer complimentary breakfast, swimming pools, fitness facilities, and outdoor areas.
Photo courtesy of Marriott International
No. 7:
Aloft Hotels, part of the Marriott International lineup, is one of the fastest-growing hotel brands with over 175 properties and counting in more than 25 countries around the globe. Guests enjoy a tech-forward experience (including keyless check-in) as well as meeting and work spaces, fitness centers, saline pools, and even frequent live music.
Photo courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott
No. 6:
Courtyard by Marriott offers an affordable solution for business travelers, with a modern lobby perfect for getting some work done outside the room, as well as amenities like free Wi-Fi, flexible workspaces, fitness centers, and temperature-controlled pools. There are over 1,200 locations across more than 60 countries and territories.
Photo courtesy of Hampton by Hilton
No. 5:
Hampton by Hilton is known for its moderately priced hotels offering comfortable and well-appointed rooms and suites. A complimentary breakfast is served to guests every morning as part of their stay, and each hotel has amenities like a pool and fitness center.
Photo courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts
No. 4:
Holiday Inn Express ranks as the largest global hotel brand in the InterContinental lineup with over 3,000 hotels worldwide. Guests appreciate the free hot breakfast each day, as well as coffee that's hot and ready to go whenever you need it, free Wi-Fi, choice of soft or firm pillows, and bedside outlets to keep devices charged.
Photo courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts
No. 3:
In the IHG family, avid hotels offers comfortable, purpose-built accommodations that have just what you need for a relaxed and even productive stay. The modern interiors of the hotel are inviting, and each one provides a grab-and-go breakfast, an all-day beverage bar, and a common area where you can relax or work. The guest rooms are designed for a good night’s sleep with blackout roller shades, a sound-reducing headboard, and quality bedding.
No. 2:
Red Roof is proud to be a leader in the world of economy hotels. Spacious standard rooms feature free Wi-Fi, desk workspace, and extra outlets for charging devices. Their upgraded Red Roof PLUS+ properties are outfitted with Serta mattresses, wood-like flooring, and sleek furnishings. HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof features the essentials of home for a comfy, clean, and convenient extended stay, while properties in The Red Collection take inspiration from the local vibe to deliver unique hotels in destinations that travelers love.
No. 1:
Well-loved and easily recognized by those traveling the roadways of the United States, 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 going a pleasure.
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
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based... Read More
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Cheryl Rodewig
Cheryl Rodewig is an award-winning journalist... Read More
Cheryl Rodewig is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel. When she’s not planning her next trip — preferably to a waterfall or garden — she’s putting her MBA to use crafting marketing stories for brands. You can read her words in Thrillist, AARP, USA Today, Insider, The Guardian, and all over cherylrodewig.com. She loves it when people reach out on Twitter and sometimes Instagram.
Cheryl Rodewig
Cheryl Rodewig is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel. When she’s not planning her next trip — preferably to a waterfall or garden — she’s putting her MBA to use crafting marketing stories for brands. You can read her words in Thrillist, AARP, USA Today, Insider, The Guardian, and all over cherylrodewig.com. She loves it when people reach out on Twitter and sometimes Instagram.
Imani Bashir
Imani Bashir is a travel journalist who has lived... Read More
Imani Bashir is a travel journalist who has lived in five countries across four continents. Her work has been in major magazines and focuses on destinations, culture, family, and accommodations.
Imani Bashir
Imani Bashir is a travel journalist who has lived in five countries across four continents. Her work has been in major magazines and focuses on destinations, culture, family, and accommodations.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a... Read More
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She... Read More
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at [email protected] and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at [email protected] and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Skye Rodgers
Skye Rodgers is a seasoned travel writer who fell... Read More
Skye Rodgers is a seasoned travel writer who fell in love with Tampa, Florida over a decade ago and has since made it her home base. Originally from Canada, Skye traded snowy winters for sunny beaches and now enjoys sharing her adventures with readers worldwide. Whether she's uncovering hidden gems in Tampa Bay or jetting off to exotic destinations, Skye's passion for exploration shines through in her engaging travel narratives. Follow her journeys and discover the best of Tampa and beyond on her Facebook page @BestofTampa.
Skye Rodgers
Skye Rodgers is a seasoned travel writer who fell in love with Tampa, Florida over a decade ago and has since made it her home base. Originally from Canada, Skye traded snowy winters for sunny beaches and now enjoys sharing her adventures with readers worldwide. Whether she's uncovering hidden gems in Tampa Bay or jetting off to exotic destinations, Skye's passion for exploration shines through in her engaging travel narratives. Follow her journeys and discover the best of Tampa and beyond on her Facebook page @BestofTampa.
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea... Read More
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic, there's not much about California she doesn't love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels .
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic, there's not much about California she doesn't love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels .
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.
