Is the Super 8 or Motel 6 your go-to for an affordable stay? Both hotels offer affordable rates and great perks, but which one is best for you? Which hotel has the better amenities and customer service?
Read on to find out everything you need to know about these two budget-friendly hotels. Whether you are traveling on a road trip, planning a family vacation, or simply need temporary housing while moving across town, it is important to know which chain offers the most value. Each chain has its own unique pros and cons.
By reading this article from beginning to end, you will be able to decide whether a Super 8 or Motel 6 is right for your next stay.
What is a Super 8 Hotel?
Super 8 is a chain of budget hotels that offers clean, convenient, and affordable accommodations. The brand has been in operation for over 50 years, and there are currently over 1,500 franchises across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Each hotel offers standard amenities like Wi-Fi, an in-room coffee maker, a mini fridge, and a microwave. Prices also include a continental breakfast, which is often served each morning between 6 AM and 10 AM. Super 8 hotels also provide free parking and offer chain smoke-free rooms.
With more than 1,800 properties in the United States and Canada, Super 8 is one of North America’s most recognized hotel chains. The company was founded by a group of hoteliers in 1967, to provide cost-effective stays for travelers.
Today, Super 8 hotels cater to budget-conscious customers by providing clean and affordable standard rooms. Since its founding 45 years ago, Super 8 has competed directly against other budget-friendly brands like Motel 6
What is a Motel 6?
Motel 6 is a chain of budget hotels that offers clean, convenient, and affordable accommodations. The brand has been in operation since 1983, and there are currently over 800 franchises across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Each hotel offers standard amenities like Wi-Fi, an in-room coffee maker, a mini fridge, and a microwave.
Prices also include a continental breakfast, which is often served each morning between 6 AM and 10 AM. Some locations may offer hot breakfast options, like eggs and bagels. These hotels are best suited for travelers or couples who are looking for a cheap place to stay. They are also a great option for people who are planning short-term events, like a business conference or a wedding.
How are Super 8 and Motel 6 Hotels Similar?
The world of budget hotels is saturated with options, and travelers are allowed to choose from a variety of price points depending on their budget. Similarly, both Super 8 and Motel 6 have locations all across the country as well as internationally.
Both brands offer affordable lodging by way of rooms that often run cheaper than other competitors. Both hotel chains also offer many of the same amenities. They both offer free Wi-Fi, in-room coffee makers, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels.
Both hotels look into serving the same cadre of people, who are either traveling or just looking for a short-stay bed and breakfast setting. Having the same target market and offering almost similar perks, can be quite confusing if you are looking for major differences to pin your decision on which one would work for you.
How are Super 8 and Motel 6 Hotels Different?
While both Super 8 and Motel 6 are budget hotels, they offer different levels of service, amenities, and value. Here are some of the key differences between the two chains, so you can decide which is best for you.
- Price – The price is one of the biggest differences between Super 8 and Motel 6 hotels. While you can find Super 8 rooms for as low as $34, a room at a Motel 6 generally costs $45 or more. That being said, you can find discounted rates at both chains if you book online.
- Breakfast – This is another big difference between the two chains. While both offer a free continental breakfast, the Super 8 breakfast includes a variety of pancake and waffle options, yogurt and fruit, and a selection of muffins and toast. The Motel 6 breakfast, however, only includes coffee, juice, and a few bagels.
- Cleanliness – While both chains are generally clean, Super 8 hotels generally score higher on cleanliness and customer satisfaction surveys. This is likely because Super 8 uses a consistent brand standard, meaning each location has the same amenities and level of service. Motel 6, on the other hand, has a large variety of hotels, and each one has different amenities and cleanliness levels.
- Amenities – Super 8 hotels provide a few additional amenities that are not found at Motel 6 hotels. These include free local calls, free Wi-Fi, and free use of a laptop computer.
Which one is better: Super 8 or Motel 6?
That is honestly up to you! Each chain has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each is best suited for kind of similar types of travelers. When comparing the two chains, consider what is most important to you when staying in a hotel. Is it cleanliness? Or are you looking for a hotel with free Wi-Fi?
You should also keep in mind that prices and rates can vary greatly between hotels. If you are looking for a cheap place to stay, then you cannot go wrong with either chain. Both are budget-friendly hotels that offer clean, simple rooms.
If you are willing to pay a little more for a better experience, you can find more amenities at one of the chains. If you are on a budget, then the Super 8 is your best bet. There are Super 8 hotels in most major cities in the U.S., which means you can easily find a room at a low price. Plus, you will get the same clean Super 8 experience, regardless of which city you are staying in.
You can go to both of these two and just have a feel of each. You can also visit several of their branches, and even look up for reviews online from people who have been there. Get to understand what it is they appreciated or did not like about either hotel. This will help you a great deal.
Amenities for kids and adults
The following amenities are available at both Super 8 and Motel 6.
- Free Wi-Fi – It’s unlikely that you’ll find an affordable hotel that does not offer Wi-Fi these days. At both Super 8 and Motel 6, Wi-Fi is free and available in every room.
- Free continental breakfast – This is a standard feature at both chains. You can expect to find standard breakfast items like bagels, muffins, toast, and juice.
- Free local calls – Both chains offer free local calls within the U.S. and Canada. This is a nice perk if you need to make a quick phone call while traveling.
- Microwave – This is something that you will not find at all hotels. A microwave will come in handy if you want to warm up leftover takeout.
- Mini fridge – You will also find a mini fridge stocked with soda and water at both chains. This is a great place to store snacks and leftovers.
- Free laptop – Only Super 8 hotels offer free laptop computers. This is another great feature, especially if you need to get some work done while traveling.
Ratings of both chains
Many travelers wonder whether one chain is better than the other. To help sort through this debate, we have compiled a quick overview of both chains. This will help you understand which hotel is best for you.
| Amenities | Super 8 | Motel 6 |
| Price | $ | $$$ |
| Cleanliness | Great | Good |
| Parking | Free | Free |
| Wi-Fi | Free | Free |
| Breakfast | Free | Free |
| Local Calls | Free | Free |
| Microwave | Yes | No |
| Mini fridge | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
Which chain is best for you?
Now that you know the differences between Super 8 and Motel 6, it is time to decide which one is best for you. We recommend that you consider the following factors when picking a brand.
- Price – As we have already discussed, price is a major difference between these chains. While you can find cheap rates at both Super 8 and Motel 6, Super 8 hotels are typically more affordable.
- Cleanliness – If cleanliness is a major concern for you, then you may want to pick the Motel 6. In general, these hotels have better reviews for cleanliness than Super 8 hotels.
- Amenities – Which amenities are most important to you? If you like to work while traveling and need a free laptop, then the Super 8 is your best bet. If you like to eat breakfast in your room, then the Motel 6 is the chain for you.
- Location – One thing to keep in mind when choosing between the two chains is location. While both chains have hotels across the U.S., they are not equally distributed. Super 8 is more concentrated in the Southwest, while Motel 6 is more widespread.
Final Words
Choosing between a Super 8 hotel and a Motel 6 hotel is a decision you will not regret. Both chains are budget-friendly hotels with clean, simple rooms. The best thing about these hotels is that you can find one just about anywhere. Whether you are traveling across the country or across your city, there will be a Super 8 and Motel 6 nearby.
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