Motel 6 Reviewed: Pros & Cons

Should You Use This Budget Chain?

Times are tough, and travelers are changing their hotel spending habits. Some seek bargains on Priceline and Hotwire. Others downgrade the quality of the motels and hotels they book by saving money using budget chains like Motel 6.

Motel 6, the most well known low cost motel chain, has a mixed reputation. We’ll give you its pros and cons to help you decide whether it should "leave the light on for you."

Advantages of Motel 6

Motel 6 is the least expensive truly national chain.
You can cancel guaranteed reservations up to 6:00 p.m. local time on the day of arrival without penalty. This is a huge advantage on road trips, when you may decide to drive more or less than the time originally planned.
You know exactly what you are getting. In my experience, rooms are invariably clean, the television works, the plumbing works, and the beds are comfortable.

Motel 6 buys quality mattresses, which are as comfortable as most in far more expensive hotels. The beds may be shorter than you find in some chains, but they are always queen sized, either one or two per room. No twin beds at Motel 6.
You will be able to enjoy ESPN and HBO at most locations.
Motel 6 offers very inexpensive Wi-Fi access at nearly all locations.
Most units offer outdoor pools (usually small) that are not always available at budget motels.
At locations along highways away from cities, you’ll find a working class pace of life. That means people tend to go to bed early for an early start on next day’s drive, just what you may want on a long road trip. At these locations, you’ll find few vehicles in the parking lots after 8:30 a.m.
Well-behaved pets are allowed. One per room. Not left alone in room and on leash or properly carried outside room. (Also, a possible disadvantage below.)

Disadvantages of Motel 6

Some Motel 6 customers smoke in non smoking rooms. This can be a problem at any hotel, but seems more prevalent at budget chains like Motel 6.
Although locations renovated from previous owners may have larger rooms and thicker walls (one I stayed at in Oklahoma City was actually palatial), we’re not talking Hearst Castle at most Motel 6 locations. Generally, walls and ceilings are thin and what happens in adjacent rooms can impact you more than at some more expensive hotels.

Problems with guests seem to be more evident at suburban and university town Motel 6 locations like the one in Arcata, CA, than ones along major highways. (I haven’t stayed at its very few big city locations, such as the ones in Hollywood and San Francisco.) Motel 6 hires security for some of these, but in my opinion needs professional security at more to reduce these situations.

On the other hand, if you travel a lot, you’ll know that guest problems are not unique to Motel 6.
Other than the HBO, ESPN, Wi-Fi, and comfortable beds, this is a bare bones budget motel. You’ll need to bring your own shampoo. Motel 6 provides just enough towel square footage and soap for one night. You'll need to bring an alarm clock and radio.
Most locations do not have elevators. If needed, request a ground floor when you make a reservation.
Except for its very few locations in the hearts of major cities, you’ll probably need a car to comfortably access Motel 6, which is often located away from public transportation.
You may not wish to stay where pets are allowed. (Motel 6 does try to confine these to designated rooms.)

Booking Motel 6 as cheaply as possible

Look for “Click 6” web bargains on Motel6.com. Also, 50+ AARP members can present their card at check in to receive 10% off (but not off the Click 6 rate).

Least expensive national chain does not always mean inexpensive, just less than others in a particular locale. Therefore, plan your stops in less expensive places.

For example on a road trip across Arizona, motels in Flagstaff are expensive. Motels in less well-known Holbrook down the road are not.

Also, look for new locations on Motel6.com (see link on Motel6.com). Motel 6 has renovated many motels. These and the new ones are my favorites, along with the one in Weed, CA, which offers spectacular views of Mount Shasta.

Home