Thanks @compmom. Do the US do Bed and Breakfast? I thought it was just a British quirky thing. Can you suggest any websites offering it? Many thanks
It also won’t hurt to make a reservation at a chain hotel with a generous cancellation policy so you have something. You can continue to look and see if you find something you like better.
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Anything Marriott is good. There are a lot of different flavors depending on what kind of hotel room you’re looking for. I worked for them years back. They’re big on “friendly.”
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I found these websites - but it doesn’t seem as if there’s too many.
You may just google Memphis + Bed and Breakfast. There’s not much.
Most “mid level” brands today include breakfast - not necessarily a good one and even worse with Covid - muffins have been replaced with package muffins. Oatmeal has been replaced with pre-packaged oatmeal cups. But they’ll also have bananas (sometimes green an inedible), microwave egg sandwiches, yogurt, etc. For me as a business traveler - it works.
You’ll find that at Marriotts (Fairfield, TownePlace, Residence Inn), Hyatt Place, Hampton INN and Tru, Country Suites was mentioned…Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn Express, etc.
The good thing about Memphis and you haven’t shared the dates and college - but if you have a car, you’ll be able to find a rate that works for you…you just might be 10 miles further out.
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There’s a smaller chain, mostly in the Midwest, that we really like. Drury Inns. They are reasonably priced, have friendly staff and they host evening happy hours (with beer, wine and some cocktails) and snacks that can replace dinner. They also have good hot breakfasts. We’ve stayed at many and have always been happy.
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I just google “xxxx town or city bed and breakfasts” and sometimes “inns” will work too.
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@Mom2jl your Airbnb suggestion has already gone:(
If you share your dates in May and how many people you will have (or how many beds you need) I’m sure someone would have fun looking on Airbnb and posting some places that are highly rated and are currently available.
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B&B’s in the US are not the same as B&B’s in the UK. B&B’s in the UK are more likely to actually be in someone’s home with breakfast and everything. B&B’s in the US are more like boutique hotels, usually in a more historic home. They are often pretty expensive.
I loved Premier Inns when we traveled in the UK. I don’t think we have a chain that is that inexpensive and that nice. We have nice and we have inexpensive, but rarely the twain shall meet. I like Hampton Inns, but they can be pricey.
I agree that for a week you might like to look at AirBnB or VRBO. Just make sure the reviews are recent and excellent.
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@Whistlingal if you let me know what dates you’re looking at I’m happy to look for an Airbnb in a decent area for you.
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Again I want to thank EVERYONE who has posted. I have spent time going through people’s suggestions and have more of an idea of what is on offer. Looks like we will have to ‘move’ out to the east to get a good deal.
@Mom2jl son is at Rhodes. Easiest way for me to find it is to look for Overton Park. The college is just above it. We arrive 11th May and leave 18th. We will be hiring a car so need parking.
I am a tea drinker so would love a kettle so can make tea morning and night. The nice attraction to some of the hotels is there is a pool but outdoors in May and I’m not sure how warm the water would be, so would be annoyed if I were to book a hotel thinking I was going to swim and then didn’t due to it being too cold or closed. An one indoor pool is currently saying it is closed.
The attraction to Airbnb is maybe we could do ‘self-catering’. Though we will be busy with graduation and also packing up son’s stuff and getting it into storage so really just need a bed to rest our heads (and a kettle!).
It’s a mine field and so really appreciate everyone’s thoughts. Definitely need to start firming something up as some places are already booked up.
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I will be happy to look for some Airbnb’s near Overton Park for your dates. That is exactly the area my mother lived in, so I’m very familiar with it. The nice thing about many Airbnb’s is that they often have small kitchens so there would more likely be a teakettle available. And if you’re close by to the college you won’t have to drive as much. Traffic in Memphis is not always easy, especially if you’re staying out east and have to drive back and forth every day.
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I haven’t read this complete thread so apologies if this is repeat or not relevant. We were happy with the Sheraton Memphis Downtown (a Marriott property) 250 North Main Street, Memphis, TN, USA 38103. It’s right on the trolley line and an easy walk to Mud Island, restaurants, etc., but it’s not too close to the late nightlife of Beale Street (a quick trolley ride or nice longer walk away though).
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@Whistlingal here are a few Airbnb suggestions at some slightly different price points. I haven’t stayed in any of these particular ones, but the first one and second one are hosted by people who host other properties that I have stayed in and they were both very responsive and their properties were very nice:
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When you are busy, it can be really nice to have an AirBnb. Then if tired, no need to chase down restaurants … just pick up food for the room. Another way to do this is to get a hotel room that includes table, microwave and mini fridge. And of course if breakfast is included that’s great too.
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@Mom2jl You are a 
This is wonderful. Definitely will approach these. I realise I am very fussy - need a bed with access around both sides - either of us might need to get up in the night 
and then the bedside lights on both sides. And look what you have found for us - accessible beds and lamps 
College Confidential has come up trumps again - I have asked many questions on this site - this comes from sending one’s son 4000 miles to college - and I have always been blown away with how friendly and helpful everyone is. 
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That was so nice of you - good choices.
OP, do be aware when you book there will be some additional fees like a cleaning fee - but that is just one fee for the entire time you are there - of course no one comes in during your stay to clean.
These prices are quite reasonable and probably less than a hotel!
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If you ever get to stay at a Drury, go for it! The amount of money we saved in meals made the cost of staying such a deal. They have great breakfasts and what they call a happy hour in the evening, but was always a complete dinner for us. And they were clean and nice.
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Is Drury the one chain that allows pets? (Or is known for allowing pets)
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A lot of hotels allow pets now. La Quinta is the one that springs to mind first for me.