Midscale Hotel Brands for Your Next Travel Stay

It’s time to book a hotel for your next business trip and you’re trying to decide if you need an economy hotel or a midscale hotel. What’s the difference?

Economy hotels are often part of larger hotel chains located near airports or highways. These types of hotels offer clean rooms with minimal amenities at an affordable price. They are ideal for when you’re on a budget and just need a clean, safe place for a night or two.

Midscale hotels often feature bigger rooms and more amenities than budget hotels, but can also be an affordable option. Moreover, hotel brands feature multiple hotels within their portfolio so you’re bound to find something you like from a brand you trust.

Let’s look at a few featured hotel brands partnered with CLC Lodging.

1. Wyndham Hotels

The largest hotel franchisor in the world, Wyndham has 9,280 locations in over 95 countries, with a portfolio of 24 hotel brands. In addition to meeting spaces and conference rooms, many Wyndham hotels offer amenities like complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, pools, fitness centers, and on-site parking. Although Wyndham properties are popular in general, they are especially popular for those interested in booking budget hotels and still getting tons of value.

Ramada Inn & Suites

Ramada Inn & Suites are full-service properties with swimming pools, exercise rooms, room service, and free breakfast items. If there is no restaurant on site, a convenience store is usually on the premises. With more than 900 hotels across over 70 countries, there's bound to be a Ramada nearby. Each hotel is equipped with everything you need to enjoy your stay— cozy beds, free Wi-Fi, event and conference facilities, pools, and even waterslides at some locations! Ramada also happens to have more airport hotel locations than any other brand in the world.

Baymont

Another Wyndham hotel brand, Baymont aims to provide friendly service, comfortable guest rooms, and thoughtful amenities. Designed to accommodate kids and pets, this brand specializes in offering hometown service. Each of the rooms has comfortable beds, in-room coffee facilities, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary hot breakfast every morning. Many locations also have gyms and pools. Baymont has something to keep everyone happy, ranging from coloring books for children, to a tailgating cooler, to pet treats (at pet-friendly locations only). Baymont has 521 properties located all across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

2. InterContinental

InterContinental Hotels Group (also known as IHG Hotels & Resorts) is a leading global hotel company with nearly 6,000 properties located in over 100 countries and territories. It's one of the largest hotel chains in the world.Almost half of IHG's 6,000-plus destinations are Holiday Inn Express hotels. Travelers can choose from more than 2,900 Holiday Inn Express locations around the world.

You can find Holiday Inn Express on six different continents, including popular travel destinations such as Japan, Australia, Thailand, France, Italy, Spain and all across the United States.

Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express

The major difference between a Holiday Inn and a Holiday Inn Express is simply that one is full service, while the other is more limited. Holiday Inn is geared towards families looking for a comfortable spot to relax together, while Holiday Inn Express is aimed more toward the short-stay business traveler. Other key differences: Guests can expect a complimentary buffet-style breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express, whereas Holiday Inn guests might order room service or dine in the on-site restaurant. As for amenities, you’re more likely to find swimming pools, spas, and fitness centers at Holiday Inns.

3. Best Western

All Best Western hotels are known for offering free Wi-Fi, complimentary hot breakfast, and business centers. Best Western currently has over 4,200 hotel properties in more than 100 countries.

Best Western Plus and SureStay Plus

Best Western Plus and SureStay Plus are both upper-economy brands from Best Western that offer more stylish lobbies and interiors, upgraded bath amenities, and additional room features including mini-fridges and work desks. Some properties even offer fitness centers and laundry services.

4. Hilton

Hilton Hotels & Resorts is a global brand of full-service hotels and resorts. As of June 2023, there are 5,696 Hilton Group Hotels & Resorts locations in the United States. The U.S. state with the most number of locations is Texas with 560 locations, which is about 10 percent of all Hilton Group Hotels & Resorts locations in the U.S.

Tru

In 2016, Hilton Hotels launched a new brand called Tru. This hotel was designed to appeal to younger, tech-minded, design-savvy travelers on a budget with rates typically less than $100/night. Hotel lobbies are designed with four different sections including playing, lounging, working, and eating. Bedrooms are simple, small, and smart with space. Platform beds are used instead of box springs so guests can place their luggage underneath. There are 247 locations throughout the U.S. with Texas encompassing 37 of those locations. Tru sees itself as, “A back-to-basics experience with soul.”

Hampton by Hilton

With over 2,500 properties and more than 20,000 rooms, Hampton by Hilton —formerly known as the Hampton Inn — is easily the biggest brand in the Hilton collection and one of the largest hotel franchises in the world. While you can find Hampton hotels in 29 countries and territories across the globe, the vast majority are located in the U.S. It’s not often that hotels stand by their product so strongly that it offers refunds if you don’t enjoy your stay, but that’s exactly what Hampton does. Every Hampton property also offers free internet access and a free hot breakfast to all guests.

5. Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world. Choice currently franchises more than 7,000 hotels, representing nearly 570,000 rooms, in more than 40 countries and territories. Hotels range from limited service to full-service hotels in the upscale, midscale, extended-stay, and economy segments. Choice-branded properties provide business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality, high-value lodging options throughout the United States and internationally.

MainStay Suites

MainStay Suites has over 70 properties in the U.S. with 140 more expected to break ground. Each property offers spacious suites with separate areas for working and relaxing, a fully-equipped kitchen, and affordable prices. Travelers can expect attractive amenities including free high-speed internet access, free continental breakfast, an on-site fitness center, weekly housekeeping, and guest laundry services.

Sleep Inn

Sleep Inn properties already have an established presence in the upper midscale hotel segment. New design packages for 2023 will continue to feature the Sleep Inn brand's key hallmarks, while incorporating several additional signature amenities to enhance guests' stay experience, including: Expanded wellness offerings, modernized guestrooms, stylishly designed open and airy lobbies, and new-and-improved breakfast areas. There are more than 580 Sleep Inn properties open or in the pipeline worldwide.

Are you looking to book a midscale hotel for your next travel assignment? You can join CLC Lodging now for free, and we’ll help you find the best value and location for your next trip. It’s why our customers choose us over the other guys!