Accommodation prices in the USA are significantly influenced by location, season, current demand, and the quality of services offered. On one end of the spectrum are inexpensive motels with basic standards and low ratings, while on the other are excellent hotels with great services and high prices. For instance, starting in June, prices in New York, San Francisco, and other cities can double. Keep reading to learn how to find something in between—comfortable accommodation with a good price-to-quality ratio.
-
Table of Contents
- My Experience with Hotels in the USA
- The Largest Hotel Chains in the USA
- Motels: Affordable Lodging Even in Remote Areas
- The Largest Motel Chains in the USA
- Tips for Maximizing Benefits on Booking.com
- What to Watch Out for When Booking Hotels in the USA
- Hostels in the USA Offer Cheaper Accommodations with Less Privacy
- Airbnb: A Private and Unique Experience
- Camping: The Cheapest Accommodation in National Parks
My Experience with Hotels in the USA
🌐 Where to Book Hotels in the USA
Since 2009, I’ve visited over 60 countries (many of them multiple times), and I admit that in recent years, I have exclusively used Booking.com. Its main advantage is a wide variety of accommodations and such competitive prices that it’s usually the most cost-effective.
For example, on January 27, 2025, Booking.com listed 196,391 hotels and other accommodations in the USA. (Tips on how to get the most out of Booking.com are provided later in this article.)
If most accommodations are already booked for the chosen dates, I also check Agoda, Trivago, HotelsCombined.com, or Hotels.com. However, the offerings on these booking platforms rarely differ significantly.
💵 Hotel Prices in the USA
Prices for the cheapest hotels outside tourist areas in the USA start at approximately $65 per room per night. The average rate is $95. Both figures are approximate and should be taken with a grain of salt, as numerous factors influence the final price.
⚖️ How to Choose a Hotel in the USA
When selecting accommodation, location and the price-to-quality ratio are most important to me. The location is crucial not only for safety but also for saving time. Cheaper hotels are often in areas with less convenient access to tourist attractions.
I’ve prepared tips for accommodations with the best price-to-comfort ratio in several American cities. While I haven’t stayed at all of them, I wouldn’t hesitate to book these for my family.
-
The Largest Hotel Chains in the USA
Most multinational accommodation providers operate in the United States. Some of them manage several different hotel brands, each targeting a specific customer segment. The following are among the largest hotel chains in the USA.
Marriott operates 5,500 properties, making it one of the largest hotel chains in the USA. It caters to business travelers, high-end tourists, and families, utilizing brands such as Courtyard, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton, Fairfield Inn, and JW Marriott. Accommodation prices in Marriott hotels range from mid-range to high.
Hilton operates a network of 5,400 hotels in the USA. It focuses on families, business travelers, and groups seeking a higher standard of quality. Hilton hotels are typically located in city centers, near conference halls, or in popular tourist destinations. Prices are generally mid-range to high.
Holiday Inn has approximately 1,200 hotels in the USA. Its typical customers include families, business travelers, and groups seeking comfort and consistent quality. These hotels are most commonly found in city centers, suburbs, and near highways. Holiday Inn accommodations are typically priced in the mid-range.
Best Western operates around 2,000 hotels across the USA, often near highways, in smaller towns, and in suburban areas. Best Western targets tourists on road trips, families, and business travelers. Room prices are generally mid-range.
Quality Inn, part of Choice Hotels, operates approximately 1,500 properties in the USA. Quality Inn targets tourists and business travelers who are budget-conscious and comfortable with a lower standard. These hotels are often located near interstate highways and in smaller towns, with prices ranging from low to mid-range.
-
Motels: Affordable Lodging Even in Remote Areas
Almost every small American town has at least one operational motel. Availability is often indicated by a lighted sign displaying “Vacancy,” with room rates typically starting at $55 per night.
Motel rooms are usually single or double occupancy. In the USA, bed sizes are commonly referred to as “Queen Bed” (standard width 152 cm) and “King Bed” (width 193 cm). Both bed types can comfortably accommodate two people, allowing up to four people to stay in a double room, which can save money.
Motel room amenities are basic. They usually include a bathroom, TV, telephone, air conditioning, Wi-Fi (often password-protected and occasionally at an extra charge), and a coffee maker. Breakfast is sometimes included, as indicated during booking.
If you want guaranteed lodging at a specific location, I recommend booking a motel in advance. As motel occupancy rises, room prices increase, and selection becomes more limited.
Major motel chains with branches across the USA include Motel 6, Travelodge, Super 8, America’s Best Value Inn, and Econo Lodge. Motel room rates are significantly influenced by location, current demand, season, and included services. Single rooms, motels along highways, and those in states with a lower average standard of living are usually cheaper. Motels in larger cities, along the coast, or near popular landmarks tend to be more expensive.
One disadvantage of motels along highways is the noise from passing cars, which can disrupt sleep. You can partially mitigate this issue by requesting a “quiet room” during check-in.
-
The Largest Motel Chains in the USA
In 1961, there were 60,951 motels in operation across the United States. Since then, the number has decreased to roughly one-fifth of that. Today, the most common motel brands you’ll encounter on your travels include the following:
Super 8 is part of the multinational Wyndham chain, operating around 1,800 motels across the USA. Super 8’s typical customers are tourists and families on road trips who are seeking simple accommodations at the lowest price possible. These motels are commonly found near interstate highway exits, in small towns, and in suburban areas.
Days Inn, also part of the Wyndham chain, has approximately 1,400 properties in the USA. Days Inn also targets tourists and families but offers a slightly higher standard than Super 8. These motels are typically located near highways, airports, and in suburban areas, with room prices generally higher than those at Super 8.
Motel 6 operates approximately 1,200 properties across the USA, catering to tourists and long-distance drivers. Motel 6 offers low room rates, often at the expense of only providing basic room amenities. These motels are most commonly located near major roads, in suburban areas, and on city outskirts.
America’s Best Value Inn has about 1,000 locations in the United States. It caters to budget-conscious customers, families with limited budgets, and tourists seeking quick and affordable overnight stays. These motels are often found in smaller towns and near highway exits.
Econo Lodge targets travelers looking for simple accommodations at the lowest possible cost. Econo Lodge has approximately 800 locations in the USA, primarily near highways and in small towns. This brand is part of Choice Hotels and often includes continental breakfast and Wi-Fi in its room rates.
-
Tips for Maximizing Benefits on Booking.com
There are many booking platforms, but I always rely on Booking.com. I made my first reservation with my account in the spring of 2009, so I’ve gathered quite a bit of experience. Booking.com offers the widest selection of accommodations, numerous authentic user reviews, and a best price guarantee.
⭐ Save Money, Get Room Upgrades, and Free Breakfast with the Genius Loyalty Program
If you don’t already have a Booking.com account, create one and use it consistently. Build your history, as the more bookings you make over the years, the better discounts you’ll receive.
If you make at least five bookings within two years, you’ll reach the “Genius Level 2.” This grants you a 10–15% discount on stays and, at select accommodations, free breakfast and complimentary room upgrades. If you make at least 15 bookings within two years, you’ll reach “Genius Level 3,” with discounts of 10–20% and access to priority customer support.
These perks and discounts remain tied to your account permanently. If someone you’re traveling with has reached Genius Level 2 or 3, it’s worth making all bookings through their account.
The Genius program has saved me a lot of money and has earned me free breakfasts multiple times. My best experience was at the Ramada Encore in Muscat, Oman, where my girlfriend and I booked a standard room but received a complimentary upgrade to a Premium Suite.
🔍 How I Choose Accommodations
Over the years, I’ve refined my process for reliably selecting accommodations on Booking.com.
First, I input the travel dates and destination and view all available options. Based on the number of results and my budget, I set a maximum room price to ensure I have at least dozens of choices. I filter ratings to above 7/8/9 based on availability and then open as many options as possible in separate tabs (around 20–30). Using a process of elimination, I close the tabs for unsuitable options.
I eliminate accommodations with too few reviews, inconvenient locations, significantly higher prices than comparable options, poor scores in any specific parameter, or photos that don’t appeal to me. I continue this process until only two or three hotels remain. From these, I select the accommodation to book, leaving the others as backups in case of complications.
📈 Understanding Ratings on Booking.com
After dozens of stays around the world, I’ve experienced accommodations with a wide range of ratings. Over time, I’ve developed a subjective understanding of what each score generally signifies.
For accommodations rated below 6.5, I try to avoid them if alternatives exist. From experience, I know such accommodations often have issues with cleanliness, location, or other factors. Ratings between 6.5 and 7.5 are sufficient for a basic overnight stay, but only with minimal expectations.
For ratings between 7.6 and 8.9, I anticipate a very good standard, with clean, well-equipped rooms. Accommodations rated 9.0 and above are always memorable experiences. These are often hostels or private accommodations with personalized service.
The total number of reviews is also an important factor on Booking.com. If there are fewer than 100 reviews, the score is likely to decrease over time.
I also pay close attention to recent reviews. Some properties may decline in quality over time, while others improve after addressing previous issues or changing management.
🚫 Booking with Free Cancellation
It’s usually a good idea to book accommodations several months in advance, when hotel occupancy is still low. However, sometimes better deals with lower prices become available at the last minute.
To protect against this, I recommend booking hotels that offer free cancellation. Booking.com provides many such options and clearly states the deadline for canceling a reservation without penalty. This gives you the flexibility to continue searching while ensuring you have at least one confirmed booking.
If you find a cheaper alternative later, you can cancel the original reservation. I save the free cancellation deadline in my Google Calendar with an email reminder a few days beforehand. Rooms with free cancellation often cost slightly more than non-refundable bookings.
-
What to Watch Out for When Booking Hotels in the USA
🧾 Taxes and Additional Fees May Not Be Included
Some platforms do not display the final price of accommodations upfront. Always double-check during the booking process to see what is and isn’t included in the price. For example, in New York City, hotel guests must pay taxes of 14.75% and an additional fee of up to $3.50 per night.
In Las Vegas, nearly all hotels on the Strip charge a “Resort Fee” ranging from $35 to $50 per room, per night. These fees may also be labeled as “Destination Charge,” “Amenity Charge,” or “Experience Fee.”
These fees are mandatory for all guests and typically include services such as internet access, pool usage, printing services, bottled water, or other amenities that may not always be needed. Similar fees can also be found in other cities in the USA.
⚖️ Read Reviews from Previous Guests
Before booking, take the time to read user reviews on Booking.com and, if possible, on Google Maps. Reviews provide valuable insight into what you can expect from the hotel. I focus on negative reviews, although a low rating or critical comment doesn’t always indicate a problem. Some reviewers lack objectivity, make errors in their evaluations, or overreact to minor issues.
🗺️ Location Is the Most Important Factor
A poorly chosen location can lead to hours of unnecessary travel, lower feelings of safety, or a less enjoyable experience overall. When possible, I select hotels on Booking.com with a location rating of 9.0 or higher.
Google Maps and the Street View feature can help provide a better understanding of the location and its surroundings.
📅 Prices Are Higher During the Peak Season
The peak travel season in the USA runs from June to the end of August, during which accommodation prices are higher and hotel availability is limited. In some areas, demand is also higher during New Year’s Eve, Christmas, public holidays, weekends, and spring break.
During these busy periods, it’s worth booking accommodations as far in advance as possible.
-
Hostels in the USA Offer Cheaper Accommodations with Less Privacy
One of the most affordable ways to stay in America is by booking a bed in a shared room at a hostel. These dormitory-style rooms can accommodate up to 30 beds in one space. Generally, the more people sharing a room, the lower the cost per night.
Beds in shared rooms are referred to as “dorms” and are often used by young travelers. These rooms are typically gender-specific, meaning they are separated into male and female dormitories. If you’re traveling as a couple, you may find yourself staying in separate rooms.
Some hostels also offer “private rooms,” which provide greater privacy. Unlike hotels, private rooms in hostels usually have shared bathrooms, kitchens, and other common facilities. Private rooms are typically two to four times more expensive than a single bed in a shared dormitory.
Every hostel has a communal area, laundry facilities, and a shared kitchen. Over the years, I’ve stayed in dozens of hostels worldwide—originally in shared dorms but now exclusively in private rooms. Whenever a hostel on Booking.com had a rating of 9.0 or higher, it was always a pleasant experience.
You can book hostels in the USA through Booking.com, HostelWorld.com, or Hostelz.com.
-
Airbnb: A Private and Unique Experience
Airbnb began as a platform where individuals offered spare rooms or beds in their homes for rent. Over time, it evolved into a service dominated by professionals, many of whom purchase properties specifically for short-term rentals.
I first used Airbnb in San Francisco in 2013, back when the platform was just starting out. Airbnb’s main advantage is the ability to stay in private accommodations (with no other guests) or as part of a large group. It’s also worth exploring Airbnb if you’re looking for unique places to stay. Over the years, I’ve stayed in a high-rise apartment in Lima, an isolated mountain cabin in Norway, and a residential building in downtown Sydney.
Since 2020, I’ve gradually stopped using Airbnb. In many cases, the prices have risen above hotel rates, and the charm of discovering different cultures has faded, as most listings are now managed by professionals.
-
Camping: The Cheapest Accommodation in National Parks
In national parks across the USA, camping is the most affordable way to stay overnight. Almost every national park operates at least one campsite, often located in scenic areas where staying overnight is an experience in itself.
The cost of a campsite typically ranges from $10.00 to $30 per night, although some campsites are free.
Depending on the size of the campsite, up to three tents may fit on one spot. Some campsites require reservations in advance, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. At these locations, it’s a good idea to arrive early in the morning, as other campers may be leaving. Maximum stays at campsites are often limited to 7 to 14 days.
To book a campsite, you can use the government-operated Recreation.gov website or the commercial site ReserveAmerica.com.
Cheap Hotels in USA
Compare hotel prices in the USA. The more servers you try, the better your chances of saving.
Booking.com is the world's largest accommodation provider, offering around 192,365 hotels in the USA alone. The advantage is the guarantee of matching the lowest price up to 24 hours before arrival.
Hotels.com is the world's number two booking portal. Some of the offers differ from Booking.com, so it's a good idea to compare prices on this site as well.
Priceline.com has the same owners as Booking.com. Priceline has the advantage of last minute discounts on hotels, so I recommend including it in your comparison.
Discussion (4)
Please advise how the washing machines work and how much they cost in the hotel. I see it often in the photos to describe the hotel. I would like to use it and am afraid I can’t handle the service. What about the washing powder, do I have to supply my own or does the washing machine automatically dispense it?
Thank you for the information.
@Abdullah Amanuel: I’ve only done laundry in our “apartment building”, but public laundromats are basically the same thing in a larger one.
You can have your own laundry detergent, or there’s a machine.
There are plenty of tutorials on YT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvxi0AGxdXM
The main thing is to have enough quarters
If hotels.com said after I booked that I would pay when I arrive or leave the hotel, does that mean that if I don’t get there they won’t charge my account? Thank you for your reply.
Hi Phil, Read the terms and conditions, what’s there about the cancellation fee. Some places take first night cancellation, some places take 50% and some places take 100% for last minute cancellations.