Decent affordable accommodation in the US?

T

tdimdad

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When I Europe and ANZ, I know how to hostel my way around if I want to stay in the more affordable end of accommodations. I aim at the private rooms but am OK with a shared kitchen, and on single/two night stays the shared bathroom is tolerable, as well. E.g. locally YHA Katoomba in a private room (private bathroom, shared kitchen) or when in Aoraki/Mount Cook in NZ I've stayed in a simple cabin in Glentanner with shared kitchen & bathroom facilities (and will soon do the same again). I've also tested out the Jucy capsules in CHC.

But what's equivalent in the US, please? I have no idea what the affordable end of the scale looks like there that would be clean, relatively quiet and decent.

If it depends on the location, I'm primarily thinking of California (San Fran, Santa Rosa and in between) and Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria and surroundings).
 
It is a long time since we were in the US so others will probably have better suggestions. Maybe see if there are Embassy Suites available. Thought they offered value with a breakfast & a limited night reception
 
I looked up where we had our staff stay in California and those hotel prices have really zoomed. We used Ayres mostly and Embassy Suites.
You will need to really search hard in 2024.
I would say that you should not head out to east Los Angeles.
 
We r presently in sfo and camped in a Stayz/vrbo establishment.
It is clean, modern, and just around the corner from my son in a nice part of town.……...
I opine that this category of accomodation is a dice roll, ameliorated by careful research.
We have done very well here but there were no guarantees…caveat emptor
 
RB said:
It is a long time since we were in the US so others will probably have better suggestions. Maybe see if there are Embassy Suites available. Thought they offered value with a breakfast & a limited night reception
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I've been to the Embassy Suites San Rafael ages ago and it worked well for me back then. But it comes to about AUD $290 /night at the current prices. I was hoping for something much less (and will forgo some of the comfort in exchange).
 
Human said:
I'm currently planning a budget visit to the USA and I've come across Extended Stay America. I've made a booking with them.

It looks like reasonably priced, two-to-three star accommodation. Not bargain basement, but not daylight robbery either.

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That looks quite reasonable. It comes across like a modern day motel or a version of Travelodge. There are two in Santa Rosa CA which is perfect for me and two in Alexandria VA. Thanks for the hint, I'll keep this in mind.
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levelnine said:
Points, especially Hyatt points, are extremely valuable for low end properties in the US. Had plenty of stays at 3,500 points/night.
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How much would e.g. 14,000 points cost? Given I'd need to buy them to start with...
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levelnine said:
Points, especially Hyatt points, are extremely valuable for low end properties in the US. Had plenty of stays at 3,500 points/night.
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How much would e.g. 14,000 points cost? Given I'd need to buy them to start with...
 
I'm trying to remember the name of the budget chain that did well for me on my first journey across the USA, many years ago.

Super 8 or Motel 6 could have been it, and both still going. Very basic motels, but did the job.
 
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There are some hostels in the USA but they’re not nearly as common as in other countries. Variable quality. I found (for example) Green Tortoise Hostel in San Francisco quite acceptable, though.
 
Econo Lodge, Super 8 and Motel 6 were all at the more affordable end of hotel/motel accommodation In California.
 
We (2A, 2C) drove across the US last year. Almost always stayed on the city fringes in the chains mentioned above, mainly because parking was an issue. Days Inns were consistently fine, as were Econo Lodges. Best value if we were staying more than two nights was usually AirBnB. DC was the only exception to that.

I was amazed at how expensive the drab Soviet block looking Holiday Inns, bottom end Hiltons, type chains usually were, even though they'd be next to a big interchange or mall. Nearby but "lesser" hotels would also price accordingly, eg an Extended Stay America could easily be USD $250+. Every so often we'd find a Sheraton Four Points or similar for around USD $100 (our max budget).

We tended to book though Expedia, Wotif etc when there was a 10-15% Shopback offer. There was always an offer.
 
I think the cheap and cheerful is pretty much gone, was great back in the 1990's though.

I'd look at Best Western or Days Inn, plenty of and not in the high price bracket. Myself, I stay at Hilton's many chain brands.
 
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Yes there are folks leaving California due to the high rents for accommodation. This has made California a shorter time destination for tourists who are on a budget.
The budget hotel/motels mentioned are all ok but certainly not luxurious.
Do watch out for the hotel taxes.
We would look at higher end business properties for Thursday thru Saturday weekend rates as often they are halfprice. The price tends to jump on Sundays as people fly in early to start business on Monday mornings.
 

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