USA TODAY 10Best
The best of both worlds: 10 hotel chains that offer quality and affordability
Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand (2023)
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, personality-less room in order to save. These 10 hotel brands 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.
Photo courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott
No. 10: Courtyard by Marriott
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, gym and temperature-controlled pool. There are over 1,200 locations across more than 50 countries and territories.
Photo courtesy of Homewood Suites by Hilton
No. 9: Homewood Suites by Hilton
Residential-style and catering towards those looking for a place to stay for a while, Homewood Suites by Hilton offers studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms for incredibly affordable prices. All rooms have kitchens, dining areas and at least one TV. Outdoor grills and a free grocery shopping service make cooking at the hotel a convenient money-saver.
Photo courtesy of Country Inn & Suites
No. 8: Country Inn & Suites
Signature amenities at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson include a complimentary hot breakfast each morning, free Wi-Fi and fitness centers. Travelers will find more than 500 locations across the Americas.
Photo courtesy of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
No. 7: La Quinta by Wyndham
La Quinta's free continental breakfast bar is a great way to start the day at this affordable hotel chain. Special rates, including travel packages and weekend deals, make planning a well-thought-out adventure or a last-minute sojourn easy and economical. And in case you were wondering, the name translates to "the country place."
Photo courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts
No. 6: Holiday Inn Express
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 Home2 Suites by Hilton
No. 5: Home2 Suites by Hilton
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, a saline pool, fitness facilities and an outdoor area.
Photo courtesy of Hampton by Hilton
No. 4: Hampton by Hilton
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 Hilton Garden Inn
No. 3: Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn seeks to offer upscale and affordable accommodations at more than 860 locations in 49 countries and territories. Rooms come equipped with Keurig coffee makers, as well as high-def TVs, refrigerators and beverage stations. Guests will always find a full-service restaurant, full bar and a fitness center.
Photo courtesy of Best Western Hotels & Resorts
No. 2: Best Western
Best Western and Best Western Plus have been serving travelers for more than 70 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 and 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.
No. 1: Red Roof
Red Roof is proud to be a leader in the world of economy hotels and motels. Spacious standard rooms feature free Wi-Fi, desk workspace and extra outlets for charging devices. Their upgraded Red Roof Plus rooms are outfitted with Serta mattresses, wood-like flooring and sleek furnishings. Upgraded linens and towels make all the difference as do the extra inches on the flat-screen TV.
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.
Catherine Parker
Catherine Parker has a passion for travel that’s... Read More
Catherine Parker has a passion for travel that’s driven her across North America, visiting all 50 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces, six Mexican states along with top destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Logging close to 100,000 miles behind the wheel, Catherine has explored 43 of the 63 U.S. national parks, 10 Canadian national parks in addition to national parks across the world. She is always willing to stop the vehicle for a great hike and has even been chased by a protective mamma bear. As an awarding-winning journalist, she contributes to U.S. News and World Report, Trip Advisor, Popular Science, Chron.com and Meredith Media’s Family Fun and Chicago’s Suburban Family. Her writing was featured in the onboard Alaskan travel guides: Compass–The Onboard Magazine of Holland America Line and Disney Cruise Line Wonder Onboard Guide. Catherine also contributes to several Texas magazines as a monthly contributor well as online travel publications. Catherine publishes a family travel website, CarfulOfKids.com. She lives in Central Texas in a 100-year-old house with a menagerie of animals and adult-sized kids.
Catherine Parker
Catherine Parker has a passion for travel that’s driven her across North America, visiting all 50 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces, six Mexican states along with top destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Logging close to 100,000 miles behind the wheel, Catherine has explored 43 of the 63 U.S. national parks, 10 Canadian national parks in addition to national parks across the world. She is always willing to stop the vehicle for a great hike and has even been chased by a protective mamma bear. As an awarding-winning journalist, she contributes to U.S. News and World Report, Trip Advisor, Popular Science, Chron.com and Meredith Media’s Family Fun and Chicago’s Suburban Family. Her writing was featured in the onboard Alaskan travel guides: Compass–The Onboard Magazine of Holland America Line and Disney Cruise Line Wonder Onboard Guide. Catherine also contributes to several Texas magazines as a monthly contributor well as online travel publications. Catherine publishes a family travel website, CarfulOfKids.com. She lives in Central Texas in a 100-year-old house with a menagerie of animals and adult-sized kids.
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.
Danielle Fear
Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized... Read More
Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising.
Danielle Fear
Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer... Read More
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos have appeared in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to working for Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos have appeared in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to working for Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
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 jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com 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 jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Lauren Mack
Lauren Mack is a freelance travel and food... Read More
Lauren Mack is a freelance travel and food journalist whose work has appeared in 150+ publications, including The Daily Meal, Culture Trip, Cheapflights.com, TripSavvy, Booking.com, Newsweek International, ThoughtCo, and more. She currently writes for INSIDER, Thrillist, Time Out USA, Seeker, Goldbelly, Savory Traveler, and BestColleges. A journalist for 23 years, Lauren has edited and written travel guidebooks on Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Miami, and New York for Zagat, Time Out, GuidePal, and Explorer Publishing. Lauren has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia Journalism School. She has traveled to 54 countries on five continents and counts Beijing and Taipei, two cities where she lived for many years, as favorites. Lauren is a 2023 recipient of Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Gold Key award. Facebook: laurenmackny | Twitter: @lmack | Instagram @mack_lauren | Website: www.laurenmack.com.
Lauren Mack
Lauren Mack is a freelance travel and food journalist whose work has appeared in 150+ publications, including The Daily Meal, Culture Trip, Cheapflights.com, TripSavvy, Booking.com, Newsweek International, ThoughtCo, and more. She currently writes for INSIDER, Thrillist, Time Out USA, Seeker, Goldbelly, Savory Traveler, and BestColleges. A journalist for 23 years, Lauren has edited and written travel guidebooks on Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Miami, and New York for Zagat, Time Out, GuidePal, and Explorer Publishing. Lauren has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia Journalism School. She has traveled to 54 countries on five continents and counts Beijing and Taipei, two cities where she lived for many years, as favorites. Lauren is a 2023 recipient of Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Gold Key award. Facebook: laurenmackny | Twitter: @lmack | Instagram @mack_lauren | Website: www.laurenmack.com.
Melissa Locker
Melissa Locker is a freelance travel, lifestyle,... Read More
Melissa Locker is a freelance travel, lifestyle, and culture writer and world-renowned fish telepathist. You can learn more about Melissa at melissalocker.com and connect on Instagram and Twitter via @woolyknickers.
Melissa Locker
Melissa Locker is a freelance travel, lifestyle, and culture writer and world-renowned fish telepathist. You can learn more about Melissa at melissalocker.com and connect on Instagram and Twitter via @woolyknickers.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
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.