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4.6

Overall Score

Author: Kalicia Bateman

LAST UPDATED: December 29th, 2021

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The Good

  • Brands
  • Rewards
  • Availability
There is not necessarily a "brand" associated with Choice Hotels. Unlike other hospitality corporations, Choice Hotels does not have its own signature hotel. Rather, they are the parent company that comprises a number of popular hotel brands. Choice hotels consists of twelve different brands. Each brand offers its own franchising rights so amenities and other services are not necessarily standard simply because a hotel is part of the Choice umbrella. Choice Hotels are found internationally and the number of properties and locations are disclosed on each of the brands company profiles. The twelve brands that make up Choice Hotels are:
  1. Ascend Hotel Collection
  2. Cambria Hotels and Suites
  3. Clarion Hotels
  4. Clarion Suites
  5. Comfort Inn/Comfort Inn and Suites
  6. Comfort Suites
  7. Econo Lodge
  8. Mainstay Suites
  9. Quality Inn/Hotel/Quality Inn and Suites
  10. Rodeway Inn
  11. Sleep Inn/Sleep Inn and Suites
  12. Suburban Extended Stay Hotel
One of the biggest draws to Choice Hotels is the fact that all are qualified to earn rewards through the Choice Privileges program. This rewards program is easy for guests to enroll in and after just two separate bookings, guests can earn a $50 gift card to Amazon.com, Applebee's, Olive Garden, Nike, Shell, Cracker Barrel, or Chili's. With each qualified stay, members will earn points that can be redeemed for free night stays, gift card rewards, and even dream getaways. There are over 6,300 hotels operating within the Choice Hotels system with locations that expand into a number of countries globally. In addition to having thousands of properties to choose from, guests who book their summer vacation in advance can save an additional 20% upon reservation. These reservations and discounted rates are associated with how many days in advance the hotel is booked (7, 14, 21, or 30 days in advance). Another feature supported by all Choice Hotels is their Best Internet Rate Guarantee. This guarantee means that if a guest were to find a lower internet rate, they can earn a free night stay at one of the Choice Hotel locations. To earn the free night stay, guests will need to book a room on CHoiceHotels.com, then find a lower published rate for the same hotel, same date, and same accommodations. From there, a guest will submit a claim form and wait to hear back from a Choice Hotels representative regarding their free night stay.
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The Bad

  • Policy limitations
  • Pet restrictions
If a guest books a hotel room in advance for a discounted rate, they are 100 percent stuck with that reservation. The cancellation policy does not apply. Additionally, the rate is non-changeable and non-refundable. A guest's credit card will be charged for the total reservation amount within 24-48 hours of booking the reservation. That means if guests are not entirely sure about their plans, they should probably avoid using the discounted option. Other limitations regarding Choice Hotels policies include:
  • Choice Privileges Expirations: all points will expire on December 31, two years after the year in which they were deposited to the guest's account unless forfeited or canceled earlier due to membership inactivity or other outlined reasons
  • Advanced cancellation: guests will need to cancel their reservations 48 hours prior to their check-in time
While Choice Hotels claims to be "pet friendly," guests should be aware that the policy actually varies depending on the location. Some hotels allow pets for free, others charge a service fee, and then there are those that prohibit pets from staying in their hotel rooms. Guests will need to contact the actual hotel they will be staying at to confirm the pet policy.
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The Bottom Line

Choice Hotels provide guests with a number of options in an effort to suit any and all traveling needs. Those that decide to book a room with any of the Choice Hotel chains can expect the following from their stay:
  1. Best internet rate guarantee: guests do not need to worry about getting charged outrageous fees for high quality internet
  2. Thousands of locations: guests can choose from over 6,300 locations globally
  3. Discounts: those who book their stay in advance can save on their trip
  4. Cancellation policy: there are some restrictions associated with canceling that guests should be aware of
  5. Standard amenities: while it varies at each location, guests can typically enjoy the traditional amenities and services
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Star Rating

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3.8

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28 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

50%

4 grade

21%

3 grade

7%

2 grade

4%

1 grade

18%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Beverly Kay Hill Pasadena, MD

My sister and I travel at least two times per year toOcean City Maryland. The last trip of the year is for Sunfest the last day of September and first couple days of October. We do try to find a less expensive rate to split around 550.00 per trip for us. The cost she originally booked as close to 700.00 through booking.com in her name. we paid one night up front and booked one year in advance!!!We had to change our reservations for medical reasons so we ended up having to go straight to the hotel as booking.com would not help us. The hotel was called directly and changed us from four nights to Two nights. They did not inform my sister of the three(3) minimum night requirement stay!!! When we arrived friday around noon to check in, couldn't find our reservation!luckily it was finally found and they informed us we had to pay for all of the nights, of course I said no way!!My sister explained our situation. The manager came out as I was a little loud. She canceled that reservation totally and made a new one for the two nights but then informed us we had to pay for three!!I said no way as you didnt inform us of that at the time of changing our reservations! so then she proceeds to charge us $397.00 and some change for the two nights!! Now if this was a clean decent hotel no problem. Plus we had already paid over 200.00 for one night of which we have not been told if we are receiving a refund as of yet!!We get to the third floor room 311, my feet stick to the bathroom floor it is so sticky! the fridge has dirty food particles all over the side of it but the worse is yet to come. We go to the Sunfest as we have concert tickets. Get in bed exhausted, i am awakened by a thump on my bed at face level, I open my eyes and there in front of my eyes, A MOUSE !!!!! I SLAPPED that thing across the floor, got out of bed and never returned to that bed to sleep !!!I was terrified to get in that bed and sleep. I called downstairs and the man was very nice, he said he would report it to the manager, she didnt contact me. I also reported it two more times to the front desk on Saturday and still no response from the manager! I called corporate and an asian young lady named Krista or Trista tried to help me but she said since I didnt leave i couldnt get help. I tried to explain That i had paid my money to the hotel and they are not giving me any back and the other decent hotels are full as this is a resort town and very full this weekend! I dont think she understood what i was trying to say. I tried to tell her I wanted our money refunded so i could go elsewhere. No way! THAT NIGHT I sat on the sofa watching with lights on for the mouse. Needless to say my entire weekend was ruined and it is your hotels fault!! I do deserve to be compensated and not with one freaking nights stay at a Choice Hotel. That is what she decided. Sunday when we left as we had no choice but to stay, I stopped by the desk. What do my eyes see but the manager. She quietly calls me over, said she called me the day before but couldnt reach me on my cell, I checked for unknown numbers and the hotel numbers, there wasnt any calls to my cell phone!!!! Anyway she whispered that she enetered a 25% discount to my sisters card for my "little issue" N ow you tell me, if this had happened to you and you have no sleep, have a heart condition of very rapid heart rate , is this a little condition for you????? This really ruined what is normally my favorite weekend in Ocean City> I have read many bad reviews about this hotel, I dont think anyone in corporate cares AS LONG AS YOU RECEIVE MONEY! MY NAME (personal info not allowed)and she lives in Virgina .It isnt fun when your trip is ruined and no one gives a care in the hotel that you have given your money to !it would be very nice to hear a response. my email ( not allowed)

5 years ago Edited October 5, 2021