Microtel is one of the smaller hotel brands of Wyndham Worldwide, with just over 330 hotels, most of them in the US and a few in Asia. But what makes Microtel stand out is that they are the only brand of newly-built hotels, providing one of the most consistent and reliable experiences among the Wyndham budget brands!
Who are they? The first Microtel opened in 1989 in Rochester, NY, with the idea of offering rooms at half the size and price! Wyndham bought the chain in 2008 and it has since expanded beyond the US with a handful of hotels in Latin America and Asia.
With an Average Daily Rate of $69, Microtel sits squarely in the budget motel segment. It has won a JD Powers Award for Quality and Customer Satisfaction – and the new-built hotels do stand out in the US budget segment, awash in old roadside motels!
According to Wyndham, Microtel “…provides a consistent and reliable experience for all business and leisure travelers alike. Every Microtel Inn & Suites … offers complimentary breakfast, free … internet”
That’s a pretty straight forward description and it hits the nail on the head with regards to a consistent and reliable experience – while you’ll never know what you’ll get at a Days Inn or Super 8, the newly built Microtel certainly deliver on that aspect.
Be aware that Microtels outside the US don’t necessarily include a free breakfast!
What experience can I expect? Many budget hotels in the US are (more or less) renovated roadside motels with external corridors and parking out front. Microtels started and still is a brand of newly built hotels, all with interior hallways and following pretty strict brand standards, so if you have stayed at one Microtel and like it, you know what you can expect at the next one.
Rooms have grown from the original with only 110 sqf, but are still on the compact side. They have modern interiors with simple furniture. Suites offer a sitting area as well as a microwave and fridge, making them more comfortable for longer stays!
My stays at Microtel’s in Asia were some of the best at any of the Wyndham budget brands, with modern, clean rooms and friendly service. If all you need is a clean room, comfortable bed and strong shower, Microtel might be your best bet among the US budget chains. They earned their award and I’d prefer them in the US over other Wyndham brands!