Travelodge: Bottom Of The Barrel Isn't Bad?
Jun 24, 23, 9:03 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,891
Why do you say that? 
There's little consistency at any Wyndham brands, especially post-Covid.
But prior to Covid, I stayed at several Travelodges that were quite good, with good hot breakfasts. But I picked them on the basis of reviews.
Meanwhile, I stayed at other Wyndham brands, like Ramada and MicroTel, that seemed much worse at those particular locations that those Travelodges. But that doesn't mean that there weren't other locations which were better.
Post-Covid, their breakfast staffs have decreased, and so the breakfast offerings have been diminished. But I'm seeing this problem at other brands in other programs too, brands which used to have a good hot breakfast now have next-to-nothing grab-and-go breakfasts, because of staffing problems.
So since any future stays have to be post-Covid, it's questionable whether experiences pre-Covid can be assumed for a hotel post-Covid.
So I don't think any past experiences with low-end brands necessarily apply today.
There's little consistency at any Wyndham brands, especially post-Covid.
But prior to Covid, I stayed at several Travelodges that were quite good, with good hot breakfasts. But I picked them on the basis of reviews.
Meanwhile, I stayed at other Wyndham brands, like Ramada and MicroTel, that seemed much worse at those particular locations that those Travelodges. But that doesn't mean that there weren't other locations which were better.
Post-Covid, their breakfast staffs have decreased, and so the breakfast offerings have been diminished. But I'm seeing this problem at other brands in other programs too, brands which used to have a good hot breakfast now have next-to-nothing grab-and-go breakfasts, because of staffing problems.
So since any future stays have to be post-Covid, it's questionable whether experiences pre-Covid can be assumed for a hotel post-Covid.
So I don't think any past experiences with low-end brands necessarily apply today.
Jun 24, 23, 11:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,282
You can't say with a straight face that Travelodge is any better or worse than La Quinta, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, or Howard Johnson. They're all the same.
I will say that I haven't seen a Wyndham with shared bathrooms yet. I've been to waaaaaay too many hotels in my lifetime and the worst room with a private bathroom is still better than the nicest room with a shared bathroom.
The last La Quinta I stayed at in California recently changed the sheets and towels by default and they wanted you to put a sign up if you didn't want them changed daily. I haven't seen opt-in for this instead of opt-out in years.
I will say that I haven't seen a Wyndham with shared bathrooms yet. I've been to waaaaaay too many hotels in my lifetime and the worst room with a private bathroom is still better than the nicest room with a shared bathroom.
The last La Quinta I stayed at in California recently changed the sheets and towels by default and they wanted you to put a sign up if you didn't want them changed daily. I haven't seen opt-in for this instead of opt-out in years.
Jun 25, 23, 9:54 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,710
Why do you say that?
There's little consistency at any Wyndham brands, especially post-Covid.
But prior to Covid, I stayed at several Travelodges that were quite good, with good hot breakfasts. But I picked them on the basis of reviews.
Meanwhile, I stayed at other Wyndham brands, like Ramada and MicroTel, that seemed much worse at those particular locations that those Travelodges. But that doesn't mean that there weren't other locations which were better.
Post-Covid, their breakfast staffs have decreased, and so the breakfast offerings have been diminished. But I'm seeing this problem at other brands in other programs too, brands which used to have a good hot breakfast now have next-to-nothing grab-and-go breakfasts, because of staffing problems.
There's little consistency at any Wyndham brands, especially post-Covid.
But prior to Covid, I stayed at several Travelodges that were quite good, with good hot breakfasts. But I picked them on the basis of reviews.
Meanwhile, I stayed at other Wyndham brands, like Ramada and MicroTel, that seemed much worse at those particular locations that those Travelodges. But that doesn't mean that there weren't other locations which were better.
Post-Covid, their breakfast staffs have decreased, and so the breakfast offerings have been diminished. But I'm seeing this problem at other brands in other programs too, brands which used to have a good hot breakfast now have next-to-nothing grab-and-go breakfasts, because of staffing problems.
On a side note, although Travelodge here in the US can be very poor, Travelodge in the UK, a company unaffiliated with Wyndham, isn't really considered bottom of the barrel. Their hotels are of more consistent quality but remain in the realm of "value" properties.
Jun 27, 23, 5:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 244
Like other brands in the non-premium Wyndham portfolio, Travelodge is pretty hit or miss. I would say, on average, that Travelodge is usually "acceptable" and not too unpleasant.
The Travelodge in Seattle by the Space Needle is rather utilitarian, but it has a great location, is very clean, and is very affordable for such an expensive city. Cheapskates -like me- can overlook the small rooms and shoebox sized showers.
The Travelodge in Atlantic City on Pacific Avenue near the Hard Rock Casino (formerly the Taj Mahal) was very bare bones, but did have free parking. It wasn't sparkling clean, but it wasn't ghastly, either. No free breakfast, but free viewing of a front desk clerk through bulletproof glass was provided upon check in. As a goodwill gesture, hookers were in abundance for the discriminating gentleman who didn't wish to go "shopping" himself walking down Pacific Avenue. I used the past tense for this property due to it eventually switching to a Knights Inn --immediately making it the nicest Knights Inn in the country-- then becoming a no-name place at last check.
I have stayed at other Travelodges, but it has been so long ago, it probably has no relevance now. Having said that, I would read reviews of any potential Wyndham properties I was considering staying at going forward. If I was forced to blindly pick a place, I would choose a Travelodge over a Knights Inn, Best Value Inn, Red Carpet Inn, etc. Versus a HoJo, Days Inn, or Super 8, etc., it would just be a toss-up and luck of the draw.
The Travelodge in Seattle by the Space Needle is rather utilitarian, but it has a great location, is very clean, and is very affordable for such an expensive city. Cheapskates -like me- can overlook the small rooms and shoebox sized showers.
The Travelodge in Atlantic City on Pacific Avenue near the Hard Rock Casino (formerly the Taj Mahal) was very bare bones, but did have free parking. It wasn't sparkling clean, but it wasn't ghastly, either. No free breakfast, but free viewing of a front desk clerk through bulletproof glass was provided upon check in. As a goodwill gesture, hookers were in abundance for the discriminating gentleman who didn't wish to go "shopping" himself walking down Pacific Avenue. I used the past tense for this property due to it eventually switching to a Knights Inn --immediately making it the nicest Knights Inn in the country-- then becoming a no-name place at last check.
I have stayed at other Travelodges, but it has been so long ago, it probably has no relevance now. Having said that, I would read reviews of any potential Wyndham properties I was considering staying at going forward. If I was forced to blindly pick a place, I would choose a Travelodge over a Knights Inn, Best Value Inn, Red Carpet Inn, etc. Versus a HoJo, Days Inn, or Super 8, etc., it would just be a toss-up and luck of the draw.
Jun 28, 23, 6:54 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,282
To be fair, the last chain hotels I stayed in were the Ritz Kyoto, America's Best Value Inn, and La Quinta. Keeps me grounded or something... I only want nice things or cheap things. Anything in the middle is a waste of time
Aug 29, 23, 8:12 pm
#9
formerly Will Stonehocker
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 560
Can you explain how anything in the middle is a waste of time?
Aug 29, 23, 11:52 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,282
I don't really mean actual waste of time, but I'm not going to generally pay for a $200 hotel that is marginally better than a $100 hotel. I'll take the $100 and buy a nice dinner or something.
Aug 30, 23, 8:56 am
#11
formerly Will Stonehocker
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 560
Aug 30, 23, 9:15 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,158
With Travelodge, its the inconsistency in regards to safety.
The one's in my town are in the high crime area, populated by hookers, portable meth lab cookers, permanent residents, drug dealers, and transients.
The reviews on Google indicate insects, mold, stained mattresses, a chained pit bull outside, locks that don't work, high crime, multiple alarms, gunfire, police activity, etc.
Definitely not places you want to stay.
I think these properties drag down the entire Wyndham brand. I am reluctant to stay at any of their properties because of experiences at these types of hotels.
The one's in my town are in the high crime area, populated by hookers, portable meth lab cookers, permanent residents, drug dealers, and transients.
The reviews on Google indicate insects, mold, stained mattresses, a chained pit bull outside, locks that don't work, high crime, multiple alarms, gunfire, police activity, etc.
Definitely not places you want to stay.
I think these properties drag down the entire Wyndham brand. I am reluctant to stay at any of their properties because of experiences at these types of hotels.
Aug 30, 23, 3:56 pm
#13
formerly Will Stonehocker
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 560
With Travelodge, its the inconsistency in regards to safety.
The one's in my town are in the high crime area, populated by hookers, portable meth lab cookers, permanent residents, drug dealers, and transients.
The reviews on Google indicate insects, mold, stained mattresses, a chained pit bull outside, locks that don't work, high crime, multiple alarms, gunfire, police activity, etc.
Definitely not places you want to stay.
I think these properties drag down the entire Wyndham brand. I am reluctant to stay at any of their properties because of experiences at these types of hotels.
The one's in my town are in the high crime area, populated by hookers, portable meth lab cookers, permanent residents, drug dealers, and transients.
The reviews on Google indicate insects, mold, stained mattresses, a chained pit bull outside, locks that don't work, high crime, multiple alarms, gunfire, police activity, etc.
Definitely not places you want to stay.
I think these properties drag down the entire Wyndham brand. I am reluctant to stay at any of their properties because of experiences at these types of hotels.
