When you travel

Typically when travel within the country it’s to see family so we stay with them but out of the country it’s a hotel unless it’s Mexico then it’s a resort.

It depends on the location, the reason, and how many people. Lately a group of us have been renting houses and condos when we go on a trip together. If I vacation alone or with just another person, it's a boutique hotel. If I travel for business, it's one of the major hotels in the city. If I'm stopping just for the night (i.e. road trip) I stop at a chain hotel/motel (breakfast included). I owned an RV for several years and enjoyed it, but now if I want that RV experience I rent one for the trip.

jsimms435 said:

I was just wonder what your preference is when you travel whether to say at a bed and breakfast, motel/hotel chain, camping or RV or something else?

I don't often go anywhere but we have only stayed at a bed and breakfast I think two times in the last twenty years. One time it was for an interview and someone else was paying.

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If there's a particular hotel I like I'll choose that. Usually I prefer to stay somewhere that's locally owned and operated. I like places that are a little bit quirky, rather than the faceless uniformity of a lot of chains.

That said, one particular place I like to visit has a Best Western that I seek out. The staff are friendly and a lot of the rooms have really good views. There's a hotel across the road that's a bit cheaper but you miss out on the views, so I'd rather pay a little more to be able to sit out on the balcony enjoying the view.

Lämmchen said:

I normally stay at a Holiday Inn Express. They usually have the free breakfast included and I've never come across a filthy location yet so I trust that the quality is always good when I make my reservation.

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I find that if the hotel is newer or refurbished most chains are similar to me. Hampton Inns, Holiday Inn Ex, Hilton Garden, I sort of like Courtyard by Marriott. Also if the location warrants the bigger hotel, they have bigger breakfast areas and more amenities. Not that I use them, except for breakfast... it's usually a one night stay for me.

A lot of the mainstream chains seem to offer a "free breakfast" but what they actually offer leaves much to be desired. I can't say I'm hugely impressed with a waffle grill, a few self-serve containers of horribly greasy bacon and sausage patties, scrambled egg that obviously came from a packet, and enough sugary syrup to drown everyone in the hotel.

It's been a while since I stayed in a Marriott hotel but their breakfasts were impressive. Sadly they had price tags to match.

jsimms435 said:

Of course, because nothing is really free

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True, even the "free breakfast" is included in the price.

One evening at a Marriott in Canada I met a couple of friends. I'd booked a package there that included C$75 towards dinner one evening. I think we'd used that up before we even got to the main courses. That was a good evening.