Choice Hotels: What You Actually Get, Which Brands Fit Your Trip, and How to Book Without Overpaying

I have stayed in a handful of Choice properties over the years, mostly Comfort Inn and Quality Inn on road trips where I needed a predictable bed and a free breakfast without paying boutique prices. The thing that surprised me later was discovering how wide the portfolio actually is. Most travelers know Comfort and Econo Lodge. Fewer realize Choice now owns Radisson in the Americas, runs an upscale soft brand called Ascend Collection, and has been quietly building the largest extended-stay business in the budget segment.

This guide is the version I wish existed when I first started booking: which brand fits which trip, what the loyalty program actually gets you, and where the real value sits.

Jump to: Brands by Tier | Which Brand Fits | Choice Privileges | How to Book | Des Moines Example | Mistakes | FAQ

Key takeaways

• Choice Hotels operates 22 brands across four price tiers, from economy (Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn) to upscale (Cambria, Radisson, and Ascend Collection).
• Comfort Inn & Suites is the flagship brand with over 2,100 properties. Quality Inn is the original brand, dating back to 1939.
• Choice acquired Radisson Hotels Americas in 2022 for $675 million, adding Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, and Park Plaza to the portfolio.
• Choice Privileges is the loyalty program. Points can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, or airline miles, and there is a co-branded Wells Fargo Mastercard.
• Extended stay brands (MainStay Suites, WoodSpring Suites, Everhome Suites, Suburban Studios) are the fastest-growing segment, with over 30,000 rooms in the pipeline.
• Book directly on choicehotels.com or the app for the lowest rates, points earning, and free cancellation on the most flexible bookings.
• Choice has entered Africa with three hotels in Kenya expected to open in early 2026, part of a plan to add at least 15 more properties on the continent by 2030.

What brands does Choice Hotels own, and how do they differ?

Choice Hotels started in 1939 as a referral chain of seven motels in Florida called Quality Courts United. It became a for-profit company in 1963 and went public in 1997. The portfolio has grown through a mix of new brand launches and acquisitions, including Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge in 1990, Suburban Extended Stay in 2005, WoodSpring Suites in 2018, and Radisson Hotels Americas in 2022.

Here is how the brands actually break down by price tier, because that is what matters when you are booking.

Choice has been pushing hard into extended stay. The company reported over 30,000 extended stay rooms in the pipeline as of March 2026, and U.S. extended stay net rooms grew 13 percent year over year in the second quarter of 2026, marking the 12th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. If you are booking a longer stay or traveling for work, the extended stay brands are worth a look because they include kitchenettes and lower weekly rates.

Which Choice Hotels brand should you book for your trip?

The right brand depends on three things: how long you are staying, what your budget is, and whether you need amenities like a kitchen or a pool. Here is the practical decision framework I use.

For a one-night road trip stop

Econo Lodge or Rodeway Inn. These are the cheapest options, and they are usually located right off the highway. The trade-off is thinner amenities and older properties in some locations. Check recent reviews before booking, because quality varies significantly by owner.

For a standard leisure trip

Comfort Inn & Suites or Quality Inn. These are the two brands with the widest coverage, and they typically include free hot breakfast, free WiFi, and a pool or fitness center at most locations. Comfort tends to be slightly newer and more consistent because Choice has been rebranding older Comfort properties that did not meet standards.

For a longer stay or work trip

MainStay Suites, Everhome Suites, or WoodSpring Suites. These include kitchenettes or full kitchens, which saves money on meals. Everhome is the newest and most design-forward of the extended-stay brands. WoodSpring is the most budget-focused. Rates are often lower for weekly stays.

For an upscale trip

Cambria Hotels, Radisson Blu, or Ascend Collection. Cambria is the strongest of Choice’s upscale brands, with design-forward rooms and on-site restaurants at many locations. Ascend Collection is a soft brand, meaning the hotels are independently owned and operated but bookable through Choice. Quality varies more, but the best Ascend properties are genuinely distinctive, like the Federal Pointe Inn Gettysburg in a restored 1896 schoolhouse.

For international travel

Choice has been expanding aggressively outside the U.S. The international portfolio grew 12.5 percent year over year in the second quarter of 2026, reaching about 161,000 rooms outside the U.S. . The company entered Africa with three hotels in Kenya expected to open in early 2026, including an Ascend Collection property in the Maasai Mara and Clarion and Quality Inn hotels in Nairobi. If you are traveling internationally, check whether Choice has coverage in your destination before assuming it is U.S.-only.

Is Choice Privileges worth joining?

Yes, if you stay at Choice properties more than a few times a year. Choice Privileges is the loyalty program, and it works like most hotel programs: you earn points on stays, and points can be redeemed for free nights or other rewards.

The program has three main features worth knowing. First, points are earned on the room rate, not just the base rate, so booking direct through Choice maximizes what you earn. Second, points can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, or airline miles, which gives you flexibility if you do not have a specific stay planned. Third, there is a co-branded Wells Fargo Mastercard that earns points on everyday spending.

The program also runs promotions throughout the year, usually in the form of bonus points or discounted redemption rates. If you are planning a trip, check the current promotions page before booking, because stacking a promotion with a direct booking is the fastest way to build points.

One practical note: Choice Privileges points have a fixed value structure that is different from programs like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. Some travelers find the redemption rates less generous on high-end properties, but the midscale and economy brands often offer solid value. If you mostly stay at Comfort or Quality Inn, the program works well. If you are booking Cambria or Radisson regularly, compare the point redemption value against the cash rate before deciding.

How should you book a Choice Hotels room to get the best rate?

Book directly on choicehotels.com or the app.

Booking direct is almost always the cheapest option because Choice does not pay a commission to a third-party platform. You also earn Choice Privileges points, and you are eligible for any member-only rates. The app also supports mobile check-in at many properties, which saves time at the front desk.

Check member rates before booking.

Choice Privileges members often see lower rates than non-members in the same room. Joining is free, and the savings can be 5 to 10 percent on some bookings (confirm current member rates on the official site). If you are not already a member, join before you search.

Compare with third-party platforms for one-off stays.

If you are not loyal to Choice and just need the cheapest room for one night, it is worth comparing the direct rate with what you find on Booking.com, Expedia, or Agoda. Third-party platforms sometimes have promotional rates that undercut the direct price, especially for international properties. The trade-off is that you usually do not earn Choice points, and changes or cancellations have to go through the platform, not the hotel.

Book extended-stay properties weekly.

For MainStay, Everhome, or WoodSpring, ask about the weekly rate. Extended stay properties often have a lower nightly rate for stays of seven nights or more, and the kitchen saves on meals. Call the property directly if you are booking a long stay, because the online system does not always show the best weekly rate.

What Choice Hotels properties are in Des Moines, Iowa?

Des Moines is a good example of how Choice coverage works in a mid-sized U.S. city. The area has several Choice properties across different brands and price points. Here are the ones worth knowing about, based on what is currently bookable.

Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport

This property is on the south side of Des Moines, about a 4-minute drive from Blank Park Zoo and 7 minutes from Principal Park. It has an indoor pool, free buffet breakfast starting at 4:30 AM, and a free 24-hour airport shuttle. The rooms include refrigerators and microwaves. It is a practical choice if you have an early flight or want easy access to the airport .

Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center

This is the Choice property closest to downtown Des Moines and the Iowa Events Center. It is one of the cheapest Choice options in the area, with rates that have been found around C$146 per night in some searches (confirm current rates directly with the property). It has free WiFi, a pool, and an airport shuttle .

Other brands in the Des Moines area

Depending on your dates, you may also find Econo Lodge or Rodeway Inn properties in the metro area. These are the budget tier, and quality varies by location, so check recent reviews before booking. For a full list of Choice properties in Des Moines and across Iowa, search the official Choice Hotels website and filter by city.

If you are planning a trip to Des Moines, our hotels section has more coverage of accommodation options in the region, and our travel planning guides cover the logistics.

What are the most common mistakes when booking Choice Hotels?

Assuming all properties under a brand are the same

Choice is a franchisor, which means individual hotels are owned and operated by different franchisees. Quality varies significantly within the same brand. A Comfort Inn in one city can be newly renovated and excellent, while another Comfort Inn 200 miles away can be dated and poorly maintained. Always check recent guest reviews, not just the brand name.

Booking through a third party when you want points

If you are working toward a Choice Privileges redemption, book direct. Third-party bookings usually do not earn points, and you lose the flexibility to modify your reservation directly with the hotel.

Not checking the extended stay options

Most travelers default to Comfort or Quality Inn without realizing that MainStay or WoodSpring might be cheaper for a longer stay. If you are staying three nights or more, compare the extended stay rate before booking a traditional hotel room.

Ignoring the older brands

Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn are not glamorous, but they are often the cheapest option in a market. If you just need a bed and a shower and you are not planning to spend time in the room, they can save you significant money. Read the reviews to avoid the worst properties.

Forgetting to check for member rates

Choice Privileges membership is free, and members often see lower rates. If you are searching without logging in, you may be seeing a higher price than a member would pay. Join first, then search.

Skipping travel insurance for longer stays

If you are booking a multi-night or extended stay, travel insurance is worth considering. Cancellations, delays, and medical issues happen. Our guide to travel insurance for travelers covers the basics.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust

I use these platforms because each one fits a different part of the booking decision. Choice Hotels direct is always the first stop for Choice properties, because it has the lowest rates and earns points. Booking.com, Agoda, and Expedia are useful for price comparison and for international properties where Choice coverage is thinner. Hotels.com is good for earning loyalty rewards on non-Choice stays. Kayak handles flights when you need to get to the city first, and GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor cover tours and reviews once you are there.

WakaAbuja does its best to keep all information accurate at the time of publishing. Prices, policies, and availability change regularly. Always verify with official sources before you travel. We are not liable for errors caused by outdated information. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.