For rural low-end, I like Hampton more than anything. It feels like a half-notch above Fairfield Inn. Of course, with all of these low-end brands I will err on the side of a new property over allegiance to the brand.

For suburban low-end, Hyatt Place is kinda growing on me. I like the layout, the styling, the ability to get a beer and an appetizer late at night, and the fact that they actually treat base-level Hyatt members reasonably well.

I'm about to try out my first Element next weekend, near DFW. I'm happy to see Starwood developing a new suburban concept even though there aren't many of them yet. I feel like a total fish out of water at Aloft, so I'm hoping Element leaves out the faux-late-90's-nightclub music and styling.

Marriott's new CY concept is appealing but they make it very hard for Golds/Plats to pull the trigger on CY in general. If I'm doing a suburban Marriott stay, I feel like I need to pick from a competing brand or a full-service Marriott unless the Courtyard rate is simply too good to refuse. It's the one brand in the system where they seem to be actively nudging elites away, making me wonder if it's simply more profitable for Marriott if we stay at competitors' brands and leave the CY rooms for non-elites who might not be price sensitive or know the Marriott brands well to begin with.