Originally Posted by
GUWonder
Choice hotels are inconsistent enough -- more so in some markets than other markets -- that it makes sense to more frequently and extensively seek out the hotel reviews prior to making a booking decision. Fortunately, this approach has helped me to largely avoid bad surprises.
This is really important! I've found that their own internal rating system is pretty accurate, but I always double check from a second source.
In 250 nights, 75 separate stays (over almost 2 years) I've only had two bad experiences. One was a toilet that backed up in the middle of the night and became a biohazard (apparently it was a known issue... I flipped, the manager ended up giving me my stay for free). Second was a Comfort Suites in Georgia somewhere that accused me of stealing two pillows... they called me a couple hours after I left, and the manager was extremely accusatory. I only had my laptop back and small roller bag (half size carry-on). A quick email to corporate and I received an apology from the manager directly, and 10.000 points. It's basic customer service, you don't EVER accuse even if you're 100% sure, the consequences for being wrong are much greater than the cost of those supposed pillows I took. I stayed there a few weeks later and stole a role of TP and wash-cloth... because I'm passive aggressive like that
Otherwise I've found that they're a pretty great chain of budget hotels with locations EVERYWHERE, I end up in small towns pretty regularly and often times it's a Choice hotel or no-brand. If I'm in a bigger city (the other half of my time) I'll pick a Hilton or IHG property, but when the pickens are slim Choice is your best bet.