Most my travel that involves overnights is in smaller markets (living in a fortress hub I do my darndest to make obligations in larger cities one day trips... I'll take an 18 hour day and sleeping in my own bed versus dragging something into two days and messing with a hotel). Not usually much choice or high end brands, so HGI/Courtyard/HI is the top end and usually just one or two of them - and flight options are usually once or twice a day on a 50-seater that's a double connect at least one direction.

I've never been overly impressed with HGI but lately I think maybe I've struck the streak of bad luck and had some let downs. Not to say that other brands aren't having the same issues post-Covid (and in my field, experiencing a lot of the same problems - I don't think people feel they need to work anymore). But seeing more and more shuttles shared with other brands owned by same franchise... lots of "look for the Sheraton van" when calling for a pick-up for an HGI... I know that the airlines used the opportunity with hotels over a barrel to renegotiate a lot of crew contracts (and I know some of their wholesale room providers sure did) and add more perks. It's great being told to wait a half hour because the hotel is obligated to give the American Airlines crew a private van, or take them to a restaurant before picking you up from the airport, and suggesting you take an Uber if you want to get their faster (at own expense) like happened in Albuquerque with a HGI two months ago.

I've had two HGIs recently where I got the $15 credit and I usually arrive too late or leave too early to take advantage of the restaurant, so I spend it at the pantry.... to find the pantry area like Wal-Mart before a hurricane. A few weeks ago in mid-Kansas, there were no sodas left but Coca-Cola and root beer and food consisted of a few ramen noodle cups and a dozen candy bars spread across a shelf in the fridge case. I ended up walking across the street to Tractor Supply Company to buy some tea and bottled water (yes, this Diamond was told they don't do water as a benefit at this property and claimed to have never heard of such a thing). Another HGI in Minnesota where they wouldn't take the credit at the pantry, only for breakfast, then the breakfast person "called out" so they didn't offer breakfast other than apples and granola bars. I switched to a hotel called the "C'mon Inn" the next night and was pleasantly surprised.

Hampton Inn has yet to monumentally disappoint. I've actually been very surprised at how nice some properties are (Owensboro, KY, Vicksburg, MS) with nice suite upgrades that even had a view. May not have airport shuttles, but I've had desk clerks offer to run me over at 6am since the one or two cabs in town weren't available (most of these cities have choice of 6am or about 2pm departures). Consistently get the bottled water and snack. Maybe the bar is just set lower but the value proposition is much better.