I've had good luck at Hamptons. A few nice ones:
Burlington, VT
Morehead City, NC
Chincoteague Island, VA -
http://www.hamptoninnsuiteschincoteague.com/
The last of those is probably the nicest hotel on the island -- every room has a balcony overlooking the water. It also won some 2005 best Hampton Inn award.
I agree the mystery hot breakfast item is to be avoided, but I also rarely find the HGI breakfast worth the money. I either want free continental, or I'll go to Bob Evans or Perkins or something.
I really like the look and branding of the new or remodelled Hamptons. It's never occurred to me to place them in the category of a motel.
Meanwhile, I'm still trying to find the elusive nice DoubleTree...