We are heading to Memphis for son’s graduation in May and are looking for a good reliable hotel chain. Here in Britain we have Premium Inn and Travelodge. Very reliable and very well priced.
We are going for a week so it all adds up.
Any ideas welcome
The Hilton group, Marriott. We like both.
Fairfield Inn, Courtyard by Marriott. Residence Inn by Marriott has rooms with kitchens or kitchenettes.
Hilton Garden Inn (obviously, by Hilton).
There are Traveloges in the US, but they tend to be hit or miss depending on the location.
Of you are going to be there for a week, have you considered looking into Airbnb? We are spending 9 days away from home, and the hotel costs were double of the nice Airbnb.
Maybe someone on this forum can give you hotel suggestions in Memphis….or maybe Airbnb suggestions. That’s really what you need!
I don’t know Memphis at all… but I +1 the AIRBNB suggestion.
If you just really prefer a hotel, while I haven’t stayed in one for awhile for a week I’d like something with a little more room - the first thing that comes to mind is Embassy Suites - usually bedroom is separate from the living space and there are some nice (free) food perks. (at least pre-Covid!)
Marriott Residence Inn is another suite place. Worth checking to seee if there is one near where you want to be also.
For Memphis - you can stay downtown or outside.
I go for work and of all the “mid” chains but mid is different to everyone, I recommend the Hyatt Place in Germantown, Collierville, and Wolfchase.
The Courtyard Marriott and Hyatt Place at Primacy Place are fine but not great but closer in.
You can get lower rates in Southaven, MS - just over the border (not far from Graceland). - I’ve stayed at the Courtyard Marriott - it’s fine.
I haven’t stayed in Memphis downtown but you’d be buying location there and there are plenty of hotels.
I always check trip advisor too- you can get a good feel for hotels - cleanliness, service, walkability of the area, etc.
Good luck.
I’m not familiar with Memphis either. I have status at IHG group and have stayed at their Holiday Inn Express properties quite a bit. I have not had a bad experience there.
Thank you for everyone’s suggestions. I will spend a bit of time looking into them all.
I have looked at airbnb. I find the problem is the reviews are so mixed. ‘Great’, ‘would go back’, must have used ‘airbrush for the photos’. It’s all so hit and miss, hence my shout out here.
We have to be close to midtown - I think. But happy to travel a bit for a reliable place.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
I have stayed at the Hampton Inn in Bartlett many times. The free breakfast is the best I’ve seen, and the people who work there are delightful. I have not been there since COVID though, so things could be scaled back.
Hotels are hit or miss with Covid. My friend has some horror stories lately. He sticks to Marriott. Whether it’s a hotel or Airbnb take cleaning supplies…and yes I agree it shouldn’t be like that but that’s the reality.
Both of my kids went to a large uni at a mid size college town. I had to book a place a year ahead. Memphis is a city, so they have more hotels, but I would book something soon, especially if you want to stay some where close to the school. For special events like graduation you may have a hard time to find parking and would have to take a shuttle.
We do Hyatt everywhere because they seemed to have invested in new buildings and upgraded their previous sites. The Covid rules have changed for all of the Hotels. Be sure to check out the rules.
My nephews went to the same school as my kids (different years) and the older one didn’t tell his parents to book a place until the spring. Everything was sold out. My brother and his wife were more ready with the second one.
Another vote for Courtyard Marriott. Or airbnb but agree it is risky. Instead consider a bed and breakfast?
We like Hampton Inns a lot.
I grew up in midtown Memphis and am wondering where your son is graduating from (maybe Rhodes college?). I am not all that familiar with the hotels there (since I was usually staying at my mother’s house), but in the last few years I became quite familiar with some of the Airbnb’s in the area. There are several pretty decent ones in the midtown area that were comfortable for me, my husband and son. I’d be happy to take a look at any you might be considering. Here is one place my husband and I stayed at Christmas about five years ago–it was very comfortable and quiet. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13975658
When we look for Airbnb’s we only look at Superhosts. You can also often see if the host has other properties - if they get VERY good reviews at all their properties that’s a good sign. We also only stay in places where you have the entire unit - be it a home, apt or whatever - no sharing of space.
We also always ask a couple of questions to a host BEFORE booking. Gives us a chance to see how responsive they are and how well they communicate.
We only book very highly rated places. That does not = expensive! Just very highly rated.
Because you’re staying a week to me that’s a long time to stay in a hotel. But that’s just me!
Be grateful that it’s a city and not a college town! We paid the insane price of $450 night for a midrange hotel poorly run … Hampton inn …for our daughters graduation…with a 3 night minimum. College towns and hotels close to universities hike up for graduation.
And I’d look at what those who know Memphis reccomend. There is so much variation in chain. In some places Hampton inns or Hilton garden inns are lovely. Others not so much.
I have stayed in several Country Inn and Suites (part of Radisson) in multiple cities and always been very happy with the price, hospitality, cleanliness, comfy rooms. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay in one ever. https://country-inn-suites.com/