If you’re here, you probably have the same frugal gene we have. It makes us hunt for 10% off coupons and avoid the minibar at all costs. Traveling is pricey, and for many, one of the most expensive aspects is accommodations. 

To help you be kind to your budget without staying in a dumpster, we ranked the most popular hotel brands by value, so you can get as much bang for your buck as possible while away from home. 

How Hotels Made the List

So how did we come to the rankings we did? We selected these hotels based on their popularity in the US, although most are available abroad, and their standing in the hospitality market, a.k.a. how big they are.

Then, we ranked them using a combination of online customer reviews, room rate statistics, loyalty and reward program offerings, and our experiences (the writer has personally stayed in at least one accommodation from each brand here). 

Of course, opinions and priorities differ, but we can all still be friends, right? Hopefully, yes. So here comes the list. 

1. Hilton

Hilton takes the top spot on our list, and they did so by a mile. Hilton continues to be an impeccable example of excellent service and comfortable accommodations. The loyalty programs are generous, too.

This includes all hotels and resorts that fall under the very spacious Hilton umbrella, including Doubletree, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Tru, Embassy Suites, and more. They have over 20 hotel brands under their iconic name, offering a variety of styles and levels of luxury. 

The prices are by no means the lowest around, but for the comfort, attention, and amenities you get, it’s the best bang for your buck. Staff seem to genuinely anticipate and aim to please, so even if it’s not the most gorgeous hotel room ever, you get top-notch treatment.

2. Hyatt

Hyatt takes the silver medal on our list because it falls closely in line with Hilton, but doesn’t offer quite the same consistency and reliability. However, like Hilton, Hyatt accommodations are easy and convenient to find. 

The brand owns chains like Park Hyatt, Miraval, Alula, Collection, Andaz, and many, many more. While Hyatt doesn’t always deliver the impeccable customer service that Hilton does, they’re happy to charge you a higher rate anyway. 

Hyatt hotels and accommodations typically cost more and have a luxury vibe, but the service doesn’t always perfectly align with the price point. With all that said, it’s still in second place. So it’s a decent choice, especially for a more upscale stay. 

3. Wyndham

Wyndham is a large umbrella with brands like Dolce Hotels and Resorts, Ramada, Baymont, Days Inn, La Quinta, AmericInn, Super 8, ECHO Suites, Dazzler Hotels, and more under it. 

At one point or another, many of us have compared chains like La Quinta, Days Inn, and Ramada, but they’re all pieces of the same pie. Wyndham also owns its fair share of high-end places, casting a wide net in the industry. 

Because of the large range, the average cost varies wildly. However, for what you get, the price isn’t particularly exciting. Wyndham takes spot number three, but in our book, doesn’t hold a candle to Hilton.

4. InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG)

Next up is the InterContinental Hotel brand. We must admit, we have a soft spot for this brand, as the upscale hotels under this umbrella are fabulous — truly phenomenal. 

However, its lower-end accommodations are not the best bang for your buck. InterContinental owns Regent, Six Senses, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Voco, Holiday Inn, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Garner Hotels, and more. 

Hotels like Atwell Suites and Holiday Inn offer good room rates and fair accommodations. But the mediocre service is why it falls to fourth place. But if you want a luxurious experience and have a bigger budget, we highly recommend InterContinental’s upscale options. 

5. Choice Hotels International

Choice Hotels International owns Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Cambria Hotels, all the Radisson brands (Country Inn & Suites, Park Plaza, etc.), Everhome Suites, and more. The Radisson part is complicated; ownership depends on the location, but don’t worry about that.

The accommodations range from affordable and simple to classy and upscale, but most are not as extravagant as some InterContinental or Hilton hotels. The brand offers a nice middle ground for many people and decent room rates. 

So, why fifth place? Many Choice Hotels are franchises, so the quality, cleanliness, and service can range substantially from one location to the next. But with rooms that can cost just $50, it can still be an excellent value. 

6. Accor Group

You might not recognize the name Accor, but you’ll likely recognize the chains under it. The group owns Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont, 21c Museum Hotels, Rixos Hotels, Sofitel, and more. 

While the brand is one of the largest hospitality companies in Europe, it’s actually the smallest on this list. This is likely because most of its chains are boutique-style, so part of its appeal is its uniqueness and rarity. Therefore, prices aren’t super low, but for the fun experience you get, it’s worth it. 

Accor Group accommodations typically offer great service and amenities. Plus, many of the Accor chains have enticing loyalty programs that make it even more valuable for frequent travelers. The prices just aren’t low enough to put it higher on the list.

7. Best Western

To be honest, we were surprised to discover Best Western is its own brand and not a subchain. And it owns a wealth of subchains, like SureStay, WorldHotels Luxury, BW Premier Collection, @HOME, GLō, and so many more. 

With abundant brands beneath it, you can really pay whatever you want. However, Best Western seems to charge more aggressively when you’re not a BW member or if you choose one of the boutique hotels.

The cleanliness and quality are wonderful, albeit nothing exciting. But it’s the pricing where things get dicey. A BW room for $80 is great, but $170 is rough, and the rates can depend heavily on your loyalty. 

8. Wynn Resorts

Okay, we get Wyndham and Wynn mixed up sometimes but they are different brands; they get very different rankings on our list. Wynn owns mostly luxury, entertainment properties, like Encore Casino, Cotai, Wynn Las Vegas, and more. 

It doesn't own the high number of hotels many other brands on this list do, but it’s still one of the biggest chains in the US. While Wynn is all about lavish hotels, the places still don’t offer the level of service chains like Hilton does. 

But more importantly, they’re expensive. The rooms are pretty and comfy, but easily cost hundreds, even when demand is low. If you’re looking for value, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind stay, Wynn might work. 

9. Red Roof

Considering many hotel brands here have luxury locations, you might be surprised to see Red Roof. This brand is not owned by any larger hospitality companies, and under its umbrella are The Red Collection, HomeTowne Suites, and a variety of Red Roof accommodations. 

We don’t think it’s much of a secret that Red Roof is not the pinnacle of opulence. They offer mediocre rooms for rates that seem too high for what you get. Like Choice Hotels, Red Roof is a franchised brand, so quality and cleanliness vary. 

Ultimately, you can get better rooms for less money at places like Best Western or Staybridge Suites. Many people opt for Red Roof thinking it’s the best deal for a tight budget, but we recommend looking at accommodations from brands that ranked higher. 

10. Marriott

Marriott coming in last might be harsh, but when we compare it against Hilton and Hyatt, it doesn’t stand up well. It has the same vibe, but often costs more and doesn’t offer the same service or amenities. 

Marriott seems to own almost everyone, including Sheraton, Westin, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, AC Hotels, Aloft Hotels, and more — a lot more. Accommodations range from lavish to modest, but the prices always feel too high.

Even the modest brands can still cost hundreds for a night, which is not enticing to frugal people like us. Plus, the service, quality, and cleanliness are inconsistent and unimpressive. Despite being the largest hotel company in the world by number of rooms, Marriott doesn’t offer great value. 

Brands That Aim to Please

We probably don’t all define “value” the same way when it comes to hotels. 

For us, cleanliness should be a given, and customer service is everything. Nothing sours a beautiful trip like a snarky concierge or abysmal room service. 

As this list showcases, there aren't as many hotel brands as people might think. But if you know what brand consistently delivers quality (cough, cough, Hilton), booking accommodations becomes much easier. And don’t forget to join those loyalty programs!