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Boom in lower priced lodgings
A boost in quality at US economy hotels is helping to draw business travelers and cost-conscious leisure visitors, and creating a strong demand for rooms.
Competitive economy chains are adding upscale features that appeal to travelers across the board.
The US’s biggest economy chain, Super 8, has free wireless internet in each of its 124,000 rooms.
“The rates are cheap. Super 8 charged an average of $53 a night last year. A full-service Marriott room went for about $150 a night,” said The New York Times.
The Ritz-Carlton, by comparison, averaged about $288 a night.
The boom is also attributable to penny-pinching corporate travel departments, said the Times.
Business travelers have also shied away from higher end hotels because of the trend to charge for just about everything, including internet access.
Prices at lower priced hotels, however, have not risen as rapidly as the higher end chains. That has helped lower prices by creating a competitive market with a lot of rooms.
Upgrades at lower priced hotels include better mattresses and towels and loyalty programs.
Chains such as Super 8 include among their customers many major companies such as Wal-mart, Home Depot and Deloitte & Touche.
When they first opened in 1974, Super 8 charged only $8.88 a night.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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