Staying at a hotel chain internationally

cm78523 · February 2012

Hi all,

We are visiting Germany, Vienna, and the Czech Republic in May and June. Within the US, we usually stay at Marriotts because we are rewards members. When booking our lodging for our next trip, we are debating whether to continue to stay at Marriotts or look for something different. Do you guys have any suggestions? My husband prefers to stay at the Marriotts to get use of some of our rewards and I feel indifferent. I know lodging is a part of the ambiance and experiencing culture of a trip. My travel agent suggested a group of hotels by Mercure. I have never heard of them.

Thanks!

emilyinchile · February 2012

Totally a personal preference. If you want more of a cultural feel, obviously a Marriott is not going to give you that as much as a small, locally-run hotel or B&B will. But there's nothing wrong with wanting to get a good deal and stay in a place you know you like either.

traveling turtle · February 2012

Mercure is a popular chain in Germany (and I'm sure other parts of Europe). They're part of the Accor group (Sofitel, Novotel, Ibis) which has a horrible rewards system. They (Mercure) aren't anything fancy or cultural - just basic hotels. It's similar to any basic business hotel chain in the states, but breakfast and internet are often not included. My H has to stay at them when he goes to smaller towns where there aren't a lot of options, but I don't tend to pick them if there are other options available.

If your choice is between a Mercure and a Marriott, I'd probably pick the Marriott unless the Mercure was in a better location. The experience is going to be the same at both (Marriott is probably a bit nicer) and you get the points.

One chain that does have a more local ambiance is Best Western. They are usually independently owned and operated hotels. I think that they join under the BW name to get more international recognition, but often you wouldn't even guess it was a BW. They're all so different. I've stayed at BW's that have high star ratings, but are reasonably priced and in a good location and have had wonderful experiences. There's one local BW that seems more like any other nicer chain hotel, but other than that one most of the ones in big cities have a smaller, intimate, local feel. I would pick them over Mercure even though we don't do rewards with BW.

maxlad · February 2012

We have stayed in several Marriott's in Europe. I think if the location and the price are right, why not? If you want a more local experience, maybe pick one location and stay there. We rented an apartment for 5 days in Prague as it was less expensive than the Marriott there (my sister works for Marriott so she gets good rates). We did stay in Marriott's in Munich and Heidelberg on the same trip.

Littlejen22 · February 2012

We are very loyal to Marriott bc of rewards. Unless you have a hotel you want to stay to or the prices are cheaper then I would stay Marriott.

Sibil · February 2012

We've stayed at a number of mercures in Japan and Korea. They tend to be budget friendly, clean, basic (on the slightly trendy side) rooms that are usually pretty centrally located, so it's basically everything we're looking for if we're staying in a hotel vs a b&b. I couldn't tell you the last time I stayed in a Marriott, so I really can't compare.

Publius · February 2012

I wouldn't blow off the Marriott to stay at a Mercure, especially if you're paying with points and are getting free rooms. IMO, if you're not going to be staying at a local boutique place, there is no reason to stay in a "local" (I put this in quotation marks because really all the Accor Group is is a massive international chain of hotels) hotel chain over a chain you have loyalty points with.

IME, Marriotts are a lot nicer than Mercures anyway.

Staying at a hotel chain internationally

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