Top-level lodgings have a star rating of three or four, and low-level lodgings have one star. The higher the star, the better the services and amenities offered. Luxury accommodations offer the highest standard of services and facilities. They also tend to be located in prime areas. You can choose various options depending on your budget and preferences. For example, you can opt for a deluxe room or suite, standard room, executive room, villa, or even a penthouse apartment.
Here are some top hotel brands in the U.S.:
Four Seasons Resorts - These are located in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Vancouver, and other major cities. Four Seasons has many rooms ranging from luxury suites to simple hotel rooms.
Peninsula Resorts - Peninsula offers its guests an upscale experience with modern comforts. There are more than 100 properties worldwide, including 19 in California. These include Hotel Palomar and Hotel Portola.
Hilton Resorts - Founded in 1919 by Conrad Hilton, they are now part of the Hilton Worldwide family. There are more than 500 resorts in over 70 countries under this brand. Some of their famous ones include Waldorf Astoria New York and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.
Marriott International - Marriott was founded in 1922 as W.A.R. Limited. In 1983, it became a public company via an initial public offering (I.P.O.). Today, there are more than 4,000 lodgings in 90 countries under this brand. The most notable include the Ritz-Carlton and the Fairmont Hotel.
Hyatt Hotel Corporation - Hyatt was founded in 1927 by George J. Sorg in Grand Rapids, Michigan. By 1954, it had grown into a chain of 524. Today, there are 6,971 lodgings in 85 countries and territories worldwide.
InterContinental Hotels Group - I.H.G. was founded in 1987 when Holiday Inn bought Best Western. Since then, they've acquired several chains such as Crowne Plaza and Le Mridien.
The most popular destinations for tourists are Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, Boston, Seattle, Washington D.C., Denver, Austin, Phoenix, San Diego, and Los Angeles.
There are several things you can do to reduce your hotel bill:
Book well ahead of time. The earlier you book, the less expensive your rates tend to be.
Check out the location of your hotel. Accommodations near public transportation are usually more affordable because they don't require guests to rent cars.
Consider using points programs.
Check websites for discounts. There are plenty of websites out there that offer great discounts. These sites compare prices across hundreds of properties and let you choose the ones that suit your budget and preferences.
