Information about Choice Hotels International

Choice Hotels International hotels are a vast chain of traditionally budget hotels all across the United States. They’re actually in places where you may not find one of the big name hotels, which makes them more accessible to the majority of Americans. However, they’re not just in the United States, but everywhere, as it’s the largest franchise hotel chain in the world.

The chain actually started under another name, Quality Courts United, in Maryland. Later they operated under the name Quality Motels, then Quality Inns in 1972. In 1982, they decided to add different brand names to compete with certain types of hotels in different cities, mainly affordable hotels in most places, although they do have some properties that compete with lower scale luxury hotels as well.

Choice Hotels may not have the premium brand status across the board that Marriott and Hilton hotels have, but they offer many of the same amenities at a lower cost. The rooms are always comfortable and clean. They have free internet service, as well as a bed turn down service. Many of them will have workout rooms and restaurants; some even have pools and rooms with a Jacuzzi. And many of the hotels are in vacation spots around the world, close to events, shopping, and sports venues.

Choice Hotels were also the first to offer these amenities:

• total wall-to-wall carpeting in all hotels (1952)
• in room telephones and 24 hour desk service (1954)
• Guarantee Reservations (1963)
• 24 hour, toll-free reservations (1970)
• non-smoking rooms in every hotel (1984)
• internet reservation services (1995)

The Ascend Collection

The top of the chain as far as quality goes is the newest member of the group, the Ascend Collection of hotels. Their mantra is “historic, boutique and unique hotels that gives you an authentic, local experience. It was designed specifically for people who appreciate an upscale hotel with a strong local flair.” They’re presently located in only 11 states and Puerto Rico, and out of those in only 4 large cities, those being New York City, San Juan, Honolulu and Miami Beach.

Choice Hotels has three chains of hotels that offer suite style living instead of regular hotel rooms. Those are Comfort Suites, Cambria Suites, and Mainstay Suites. The rest of the hotel chains are: Comfort Inn; Quality Inn; Clarion; Suburban; Econolodge; and Rodeway Inn. They also offer a rewards program for continual stay in their chain known as Choice Privileges.

Comfortable hotels at affordable prices; it’s hard to beat Choice Hotels for family traveling.

See Also:

Choice Hotels International Official Website

Choice Hotels on Wikipedia.org