What is a Chain?

I've been thinking if there is any kind of business that is better as a chain. In general, I'd say hotels. There are some great independent hotels (Think 21c) and alternative accommodations (think Old Louisville B&Bs), but as someone who travels for business a fair amount, I'm a big fan of a Hampton Inn, with a uniformly great bed, good towels, a well equipped bathroom, free wireless, a desk, and good service.

Inexpensive independent hotels are a complete crap shoot. I'd never stay in one without a strong recommendation from a trusted source. The last time I stayed in an independent motel (not my choice), the beds were bad, the bedspreads nasty, and the internet intermittent.

On the other hand, when my wife and I stayed several days in Vienna, we stayed in a local place, not a chain, on purpose, but we did so with a strong recommendation from Rick Steves.

Another one for me is fried chicken. Popeyes and Bojangles have the best fried chicken out there.

wow charles what a good point. i had never thought about that fact. You are very right about chain hotels being better than most locals. Notice i said most locals. i am sure there are some hotels out there that offer good service.

I think the hotel thing is really hard to generalize. Some brands, like Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, etc., are more "chain-like," in that they build their own hotels and all tend to look and feel generally the same, which yes, if you travel often on business, is a good thing at times.

Other brands, however, like Hilton, Westin, etc., often run hotels in varied spaces in different types of buildings. These hotels often exist in urban spaces, and no one looks the same. For example, we recently stayed at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco (old, elegant), which looks nothing like the W Hotel (new, hip), even though both are Starwood owned. The Westin in Cincinnati looks nothing like the Westin in St. Louis that is in an old warehouse. Often these properties are also managed and run on a much more local leven, than say, your local Applebees or Cheddars.

I think the hotel thing is really hard to generalize. Some brands, like Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, etc., are more "chain-like," in that they build their own hotels and all tend to look and feel generally the same, which yes, if you travel often on business, is a good thing at times.

Other brands, however, like Hilton, Westin, etc., often run hotels in varied spaces in different types of buildings.

That's what makes it so easy to generalize. The higher end you go, the more "localized," but still retain strict standards across the chain. Why do I love staying at Westin hotels? The heavenly bed. Now there leadership in great bedding has spread across all the Starwoods and Hiltons and others are following. It is the best of chain hotel behavior.

I think the hotel thing is really hard to generalize. Some brands, like Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, etc., are more "chain-like," in that they build their own hotels and all tend to look and feel generally the same, which yes, if you travel often on business, is a good thing at times.

Other brands, however, like Hilton, Westin, etc., often run hotels in varied spaces in different types of buildings.

That's what makes it so easy to generalize. The higher end you go, the more "localized," but still retain strict standards across the chain. Why do I love staying at Westin hotels? The heavenly bed. Now there leadership in great bedding has spread across all the Starwoods and Hiltons and others are following. It is the best of chain hotel behavior.

Agreed (especially re: the heavenly bed - love those things).

Oh man. I have to take issue with the fried chicken. Flabby's consistently serves the most tender, juicy fried chicken I've ever had. And one simply can't enjoy fried chicken to the fullest without a tall glass of beer, haha.

Sadly, their beer selection leaves a great deal to be desired. I'd go there more often if they had some decent beer to accompany their food, but I don't believe they even have Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Another one for me is fried chicken. Popeyes and Bojangles have the best fried chicken out there.

Indi's all the way! If you're a fan of hot food, get their spicy chicken with a side of hot sauce. Absolutely delicious.

You're right.... they're kinda expensive, too... but I was merely saying that the beer selection was better than Popeye's, haha. If we're talking only about the fried chicken, though, Flabby's makes me a very happy person.

So Happy to chime in for Indie's Spicy chicken! Flabby's wings are a favorite as well.

Oh how I love Indie's. Almost despicably, at times I've been late for work reasoning that West Broadway is somehow remotely on the way from Germantown to the Highlands.

ok.....you are right Indi's spicy chicken is pretty freaking good, and that hot sauce is killer. But... i live on this side of the river, so don't go over to Indi's all the time. Popeye's is closer when we want to dine greasy!

I'm totally guilty of staying at chain hotels. It's uncomfortable ending up in a bad one, but try being in one with kids...it's unbearable.

Out west, we often stay at Best Westerns. For some reason, they're horrible back East, but in the West, they're great. Scottsdale, Sedona, and Moab were all excellent. Back East, Hampton Inn is usually reliable.

The Joie de Vivre chain in California is an excellent, budget (for CA) choice that's always been reliable. They rehab crappy old chain hotels into hip locations.

CHAIN is the "ball and chain" a franchisor attaches to the inexperienced franchisee.

I'm totally guilty of staying at chain hotels. It's uncomfortable ending up in a bad one, but try being in one with kids...it's unbearable.

Out west, we often stay at Best Westerns. For some reason, they're horrible back East, but in the West, they're great. Scottsdale, Sedona, and Moab were all excellent. Back East, Hampton Inn is usually reliable.

The Joie de Vivre chain in California is an excellent, budget (for CA) choice that's always been reliable. They rehab crappy old chain hotels into hip locations.

One of the worst hotels I've ever stayed at ( filthy, broken down, pool closed )was a Best Western right off 65 South in Birmingham. I know they have some nice properties, but now I'm extremely cautious of anything "Best Western".

Deb

Hyatt Place seems to work very well for us.

We like it because their double rooms also have a pullout couch, which helps since we have about 17 kids.....

Their complimentary breakfast is very good as well, fresh cut fruit, a lot of different things to drink, rolls, bagels, toast, english muffins, cereal, yogurt, and you can always order something extra if you need it.