# How to find reasonable hotels/motels? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 29, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950 "2003-04-29T17:23:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Riboflavin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Riboflavin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riboflavin)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/1 "2003-04-29T17:23:40Z")
Since there’s a good chance I’ll have a lot more free time soon, I’m thinking of taking a lot of road trips to various places of interest. Most of my travel in the past has either been with groups or on someone else’s dime (work-related), so I’ve never really learned that much about picking hotels. I’m not that interested in staying at the top-end places, just at finding medium-priced places that are reasonably clean and safe. My trips will be on the east coast, mostly around VA and NC if that helps. Any advice on good names to stick with or tricks for spotting places that will be especially good/bad? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/2 "2003-04-29T17:27:15Z")
There are plenty of sites on the Internet to check out hotel rates: [http://www.hotels.com](http://www.hotels.com), for instance. Can’t vouch, but they’re worth a shot. I go to [http://www.marriott.com](http://www.marriott.com). I’m signed up for their rewards system, but they have some bargains, especially on the Fairfield Inns (say $79 for three, including continental breakfast). ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/3 "2003-04-29T17:39:40Z")
whenever we go on a trip, I always check out [Roomsaver.com](http://Roomsaver.com) which publishes discount coupons. The coupons tell you prices, what amenities the hotel offers, restrictions (many aren’t good on weekends or holidays), etc. I will print several different coupons for each area we’ll be visiting. Because you can’t make reservations and use the coupons, you should always have a backup coupon for a different hotel, in case the one you wanted is booked. ---
**Author:** ![yawndave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/43a26b/32.png) [@yawndave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yawndave)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/4 "2003-04-29T21:54:07Z")
I’ve gotten some GREAT deals on Priceline, but it’s sort of a crapshoot sometimes. With [Hotels.com](http://Hotels.com), at least you know exactly what you’re getting before you put your money down. Then, I’ve managed to stumble onto some amazing places at a cheap price by hitting the local tourist info center. Both Holiday Inn and Comfort Inn have programs that give you good rates as well as early check-in/late check-out…a handy thing to have when you’re on the road. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/5 "2003-04-29T22:33:39Z")
If you don’t mind somewhat adventurous conditions, you might want to check out hostels. They are dirt cheap, and usually a lot of fun. It’s a great way to meet fellow travelers, and some of them are in nifty historic buildings. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/6 "2003-04-30T05:42:12Z")
I use Travelocity and Expedia both and see which one gives me the best combination of decent location/low rate. I tend to prefer Travelocity. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/7 "2003-04-30T14:17:50Z")
Travelocity and Expedia have both given me some very good rates, both in the U.S. and abroad. Travelocity’s best prices have been a little cheaper, but both are well worth checking out. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/8 "2003-04-30T15:21:39Z")
[entertainment.com](http://entertainment.com) has books for $10 & shipping, you get half off rack rates throughout the usa for listed hotels. Plus tons of other coupons for you local zip code. Also hotel websites often have great deals. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/9 "2003-04-30T15:55:16Z")
Chain-wise I usually use Super 8 or Days Inn if I’m on the road and I need to crash for a few hours. When I’m with my wife we usually use Best Western - they’re a bit nicer. If I’m going to be spending a few days in a town, and budget permits, I’ll do a little research and try to find a place that’s unique to the town and captures the spirit of the town, more or less. For instance [La Fonda](http://www.lafondasantafe.com/) in Santa Fe. There’s nothing like room service breakfast at La Fonda! Bed and Breakfasts offer tons of local flavor, too. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/10 "2003-04-30T21:28:25Z")
I like Motel 6, don’t laugh, because they are accessible, you know, TTY, closed caption decoder, door light. ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/11 "2003-05-03T21:42:08Z")
My advice: don’t stop within 200 miles of a NASCAR track on race weekend. **racinchikki** and I once stayed at a midrange motel (Days Inn, I think) outside Knoxville, TN (a little over 100 miles away from Bristol) on the weekend of the race at Bristol, and it was more than double the normal price. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![AzRaek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/azraek/32/16739_2.png) [@AzRaek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AzRaek)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/12 "2003-05-03T23:32:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*[entertainment.com](http://entertainment.com) has books for $10 & shipping, you get half off rack rates … \*\* Yeah, but…rack rates are the MOST the hotel would ever charge for that room. You wont be getting a bargain if the rack is $150 but because of low occupancy, they are charging walk-ins $50. Unless you know the place will be packed, it may be best just to reserve a room a day in advance, asking for the standard nightly rate. The better websites are [hotels.com](http://hotels.com) and [hotwire.com](http://hotwire.com), but dont expect great lavish luxuries for you $30 room. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/13 "2003-05-04T00:04:29Z")
You might want to invest in a copy of the Moon Handbooks for Virginia and North Carolina. They’re some of the best travel guides out there, and their hotel listings tend to be geared toward interesting, locally-owned places that offer good value. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2003, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-reasonable-hotels-motels/171950/14 "2003-05-04T13:29:24Z")
The two sites that I like best for booking hotels are [Quikbook.com](http://Quikbook.com) and [Orbitz.com](http://Orbitz.com). The best way to save money when traveling, IMO, is staying away from tourist areas. If you go to Chicago, for instance, the best rate you’ll find for a nice hotel is ~$150/night. Go to Evanston or a suburb and you can stay in the same chain for less than half of that. And if you haven’t already, get a AAA membership. It’s so cheap to join and they do offer substantial discounts on lodging. Just mention it when you call the reservation desk.