These 2 Hotel Chains Have the Worst Reputations in the Industry

Some of the choice words used in customer reviews: "sketchy" and "filthy." Yikes!

A hotel is more than just a place to crash for the night—when you’re traveling, you expect certain luxuries along the way, from a smiling hotel clerk to crisp white sheets. But a recent report found that some hotels just don’t impress.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked 32 of the most popular hotel chains in the country based on reviews, giving each a customer satisfaction grade between zero and one hundred. The average hotel got a score of 76, but two sunk below the rest: Super 8 and Motel 6. (Pro tip: Regardless of where you stay, make sure you know the 15 things to never do in a hotel room.)

Super 8 earned a score of just 65 and Motel 6 a score of 63, both of which would be a D on most grading scales—far from satisfactory. The numbers aren’t too surprising, considering that Motel 6 and Super 8 are both known for their cheap rates, not their spectacular amenities. But it seems you get what you pay for. Consumer Affairs gives Motel 6 and Super 8 both only 1.5 stars, based on customer reviews and complaints nationwide. Some words in the reviews that stand out are “sketchy,” “filthy,” and “rude.” Yikes!

Of course, every traveler has options, and some hotels on the ACSI list blew those out of the water. JW Marriot Hotels by Marriott topped the list with a score of 84, and Embassy Suites by Hilton was a close second at 83, meaning these upscale brands earned even better reputations than some luxury or upper upscale chains. For the globetrotters, check out the best hotel chains the world—ranked.

Travelers on a budget could also consider booking a room at the best-ranked economy chain, Days Inn, which had a score of 68. To upgrade without breaking the bank, use these 16 tips for saving money on hotel rooms.

Marissa Laliberte
Marissa Laliberte-Simonian is a London-based associate editor with the global promotions team at WebMD’s Medscape.com and was previously a staff writer for Reader's Digest. Her work has also appeared in Business Insider, Parents magazine, CreakyJoints, and the Baltimore Sun. You can find her on Instagram @marissasimonian.