Best hotels in Triangle:
1)
Washington-Duke Inn - not affiliated with any chain, but AAA 4 diamond hotel on golf course (if golf is your thing). Actually is across the streat from the infamous Duke campus lacrosse practice field.
2)
Sienna Hotel - member of "Summit Hotels and Resorts" also AAA 4 diamond hotel in Chapel Hill (Il Palio also has some of best italian food around, and winner of Wine Spectator award since 1990)
3)
Carolina Inn - yet another AAA 4 diamond hotel with Mobil 4 star award restaurant also, in the heart of Chapel Hill. Used to be managed by Doubletree, but I don't think so anymore.
There aren't any really
outstanding chain hotels in the area, that I am aware of, and when I have friends looking for places to stay in the area, I'd send them to one of these three places.