Scott Roberts
EF2
Because I have to produce my newscasts in the middle of the night, a motel room with Wi-Fi is mandatory for me if I'm out overnight. I have joined the loyalty programs of several chains, and usually just book something form the road once I know where I'm going to be -- price and wi-fi being the primary considerations.
Following are my recommendations (with the bias that all I care about on a chase night is somewhere to crash and somewhere to work):
I have had the best experiences with Super8 and Days Inn.
Best Westerns are great, but typically more expensive.
I also use several of the Choice hotels brands, but have been burned at enough Quality Inns to avoid them.
When I want to treat myself, I go to LaQuinta or Holiday Inn Express.
Between chasing and business, I have accumulated enough points at most chains for a free night from time to time.
As for the "where" strategy...if I'm on a multi-day chase, I bed down as far toward the next day's target as I can legitimately do so. Given that I have to start working between 11pm and 1am, that's not so far as it was a couple of years ago. If I'm at the end of an outing, I simply stop as soon as I find a place.
Following are my recommendations (with the bias that all I care about on a chase night is somewhere to crash and somewhere to work):
I have had the best experiences with Super8 and Days Inn.
Best Westerns are great, but typically more expensive.
I also use several of the Choice hotels brands, but have been burned at enough Quality Inns to avoid them.
When I want to treat myself, I go to LaQuinta or Holiday Inn Express.
Between chasing and business, I have accumulated enough points at most chains for a free night from time to time.
As for the "where" strategy...if I'm on a multi-day chase, I bed down as far toward the next day's target as I can legitimately do so. Given that I have to start working between 11pm and 1am, that's not so far as it was a couple of years ago. If I'm at the end of an outing, I simply stop as soon as I find a place.