Upgraded Amenities in Economy Hotels Establish a New Minimum Standard for Vacation Rentals
Sept. 23, 2006. As penny-pinching corporate travel departments have squeezed the per diems of millions of business travelers, a building boom among lower priced lodgings and tough competition among economy chains have lifted the quality of rooms in many budget hotels and motels.
When these business travelers go on vacation, they expect that their lodging will be at better that the budget chains where they stay during their business trips. Thus, the savvy luxury vacation rentals owner will take steps to ensure that they are providing more amenities that the typical economy hotel or motel.
An article by Jeff Bailey in the New York Times (free registration) points out that Super 8, the country’s biggest economy chain, with about 2,000 motels, each of its roughly 124,000 rooms now has a free wireless Internet connection and free breakfasts. Mattresses and towels are being upgraded. They are installing other amenities, such as curved shower rods.
In travels through small cities away from the major urban centers, I have noticed that these amenities are also available in other economy chains. One of my associates who must take frequent over the road trips has made a special point to look for Holiday Inn Express, because they were one of the first chains to offer free wireless internet.
For luxury vacation rental owners, it is not always possible to match the level of amenities and service of the highest –priced hotels and resorts. However, you should certainly match all the amenities of the budget chains, plus throw in some special touches and luxuries that they do not.
