Getting your moneys worth? Quality Inn & Hotel Experience

Quality is one of the core brands of Choice Hotels with over 1,700 hotels around the world. They are priced as a midscale brand these days and their marketing is pushing modern amenities, but they have their roots firmly in the roadside motel market. Find out who they are and what experience you can expect in my experience review below!

Who are they? Quality hotels got their start in 1939 as a cooperation of motels and evolved into Choice Hotels with its many brands over time. For most of its life, the brand was named Quality Inn, but it dropped the “Inn” in an attempt to move it more upmarket. It remains the 2nd largest brand in the group, positioned above the budget Rodeway Inn brand and the more expensive, midscale Comfort Inn. There are over 1,700 properties around the world, but mostly in the US. All of the hotels are franchised and most of them are conversions.
Choice Hotels describes them as follows:
GET YOUR MONEY’S WORTH
At Quality hotels, you get real value for your hard-earned money. You can depend on us for affordable hotels with all of the amenities you expect and genuine service from people who are professional, responsive and friendly. These “Value Qs” assure you get your money’s worth, so you can relax and focus on the people and experiences you came for.“
Choice promises you an affordable stay and real value – that’s something probably every brand in this segment aims for and doesn’t tell you a whole lot. And the “Value Qs” seem to be the outcome of marketing gone wild!
Quality Inn/Hotel is positioned as a mid-scale hotel. At an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of $75/night, it’s about 20% more expensive than a Rodeway Inn and 20% less than a Comfort Inn ! Quality Inn competes directly with Wyndham’s Ramada brand.


What experience can I expect? Many Quality Inns are hotel conversions of existing, older motels or hotels and to ensure some consistency across different properties, Choice has rolled out some branded features, similar to what more expensive chains have done. These include Q-Showers with a curved rod, a curtain with a window for more light and a shower head with multiple spray settings. You’ll find a Q-Bed with a comforter (instead of the at budget motels still common wool blankets) and a hot Q-Breakfast. All hotels also have free internet, free coffee/tea in the lobby and a pool or gym. Those are certainly midscale amenities as you’ll find them at a more expensive Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn. Some of that price difference is due to the design of many older Quality Inn that started as motels and still have exterior corridors with parking in front and the pool next to the parking lot. If you like a comfortable bed and shower and a free, hot breakfast and don’t mind staying at an older, renovated motel, you can get that comfort at a discount at many Quality Inns. My review of the Quality Inn Woodland gives you a great idea of what it can look like: It was a renovated and well run motel with friendly service that delivered all the promised amenities at a 30% discount over a comparable Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn. cal-qualityinn-woodland-bed1As with other conversion brands, do make sure to read online reviews and check out traveler photos, so you can avoid un-renovated or poorly managed properties with the same logo outside! Because Quality Inn participates in the Choice Privileges rewards program, you can earn and redeem points for stays and often get great deals in frequent Choice promotions! And than you can indeed get your money’s worth!

 

 



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