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The Best Hotel Chains For 2025, According To A New Report

A new J.D. Power report reveals the best hotel chains in 2025—based on real guest feedback from across North America.
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Looking for the best hotel chains in the U.S. and Canada? A highly anticipated annual report from J.D. Power reveals which brands are rising to the top in 2025—and what travelers really care about right now. J.D. Power is a trusted consumer research company that also ranks the best airlines, airports, rental car companies and more.
In its 2025 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, J.D. Power evaluates the performance of 102 hotel brands based on factors like food and beverage, guest rooms, facilities, staff service, value for price and more. Using the feedback from more than 39,000 guests, the chains are then ranked across nine key market segments—from luxury to economy extended stay.
Compare this year’s list to 2024 and 2023, when I also reported on the top hotel chains and emerging trends.
“J.D. Power’s hotel research emphasizes the voice of the customer. That allows hoteliers to target performance improvement initiatives that can help increase guest satisfaction,” Andrea Stokes, hospitality practice lead at J.D. Power. “All this improves the bottom line. It also allows consumers to make an informed choice about which hotels and brands are doing well in delivering guest satisfaction.”
Key Trends For 2025
One of the biggest trends this year? Despite record-high room rates—averaging $158.67 a night—hotel guests across North America say they’re getting more value for their money.
Even in the budget categories, travelers are feeling better about what they’re getting for the price. Perceived value is up across all hotel segments, from economy to luxury.
And the good news—hotel rates aren’t expected to keep increasing. “We’re at an important inflection point in the travel marketplace where several years of record-high hotel demand and the pace of room rate increases is starting to slow,” says Stokes.
Another big trend, according to the report: Guest satisfaction with hotel rooms is improving. Hotels are upgrading decor, furniture and bathrooms—and guests are noticing.
“Across many hotel segments, study results show improvement in guest satisfaction with guest rooms, which declined during the pandemic a few years ago,” says Stokes.
Since the pandemic, J.D. Power has been advising hotel chains and hotel operators to re-start or initiate capital investments and renovations that have the greatest impact on guest satisfaction. “Even less expensive investments, like upgrading in-room televisions to smart TVs with streaming capabilities or adding more accessible USB outlets, can make the hotel room feel modern and refreshed,” says Stokes.
Another interesting find: Guests who use a brand’s mobile app report significantly higher satisfaction—68 points higher, on average—than those who don’t.
The Top Hotel Chains For 2025
The J.D. Power report also ranks the top hotel brands in various segments based on guest satisfaction—and certain strengths stand out. “The hotel brands with the highest overall guest satisfaction scores exceed segment competitors in guest satisfaction with guest rooms, staff service, the hotel facility and connectivity,” says Stokes.
There are some familiar names on the 2025 list. “Some brands continue to hover at or around the top of the list. In this year’s study, in the nine categories, we have five brands that have consecutive wins,” says Stokes. “Many different brands are performing well when it comes to delivering guest satisfaction, but some continue to excel more than others year after year.”
Five brands earned repeat wins in their segments. Hyatt House leads the Upscale Extended Stay Hotels list for the fourth consecutive year. In the Upper Midscale/Midscale Extended Stay Hotels, Home2 Suites by Hilton tops the list for the third year in a row. Midscale’s winner is Tru by Hilton for a third consecutive year. In the Economy division, Microtel by Wyndham takes the top spot for a second year. Finally, in Economy Extended Stay, WoodSpring Suites is the winner for the third year in a row.
In the Luxury division, the top three hotel brands this year are the same as last year, just in a different order. Coming in at the top of the list is Ritz Carlton, followed by Waldorf Astoria at number two. Last year’s winner—The Luxury Collection—lands in the number three spot.
For Upper Upscale, Omni comes out on top, rising from the fifth spot last year. Hard Rock Hotels is at number two. Last year’s winner, Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts, is in the third spot.
In the Upscale category, Drury Hotels is the winner (last year, Drury was classified as an Upper Midscale and won that division). This year, the top brand in the Upper Midscale division is Hampton by Hilton.
Keep reading to see where various hotel chains ranked in the J.D. Power North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study for 2025.
Ritz Carlton won the Luxury hotel division. Pictured here: Half Moon Bay on the Pacific Ocean Coastline.
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Ranked: Luxury Hotels
The scores listed here are based on a scale of 1000.
1. The Ritz-Carlton – 779
2. Waldorf Astoria – 773
3. The Luxury Collection – 757
4. JW Marriott – 746
5. Four Seasons – 740 (tie)
5. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts – 740 (tie)
7. Loews Hotels – 730
8. Grand Hyatt – 722
9. W Hotels – 716
10. Destination by Hyatt – 70
11. Conrad Hotels & Resorts – 705
12. Fairmont – 692
Omni Hotels & Resorts took the top spot in the Upper Upscale category. Pictured: Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza in downtown L.A.
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Ranked: Upper Upscale Hotels
1. Omni Hotels & Resorts – 731
2. Hard Rock Hotels – 727
3. Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts – 716
4. Le Méridien – 713
5. Marriott – 711 (tie)
5. Westin Hotels & Resorts – 711 (tie)
7. Embassy Suites by Hilton – 710
8. Royal Sonesta – 708
9. Tapestry Collection by Hilton – 706
10. Hyatt Centric – 704
11. Hyatt Regency – 702
12. Canopy by Hilton – 701
13. Hotel Indigo – 700
14. Hilton Hotels & Resorts – 698
15. Curio Collection by Hilton – 690
16. Renaissance Hotels – 686
17. Kimpton – 684
18. Autograph Collection – 682
19. Sheraton – 681
20. Graduate Hotels – 678
Drury Hotels topped the Upscale category in 2025. Pictured: Drury Plaza Hotel in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Ranked: Upscale Hotels
1. Drury Hotels – 738
2. Best Western Premier – 713
3. Cambria Hotels – 703
4. Hilton Garden Inn – 701
5. Delta Hotels – 699
6. AC Hotels by Marriott – 693
7. Aloft Hotels – 687
8. Element – 686
9. Crowne Plaza – 684
10. Courtyard by Marriott – 681
11. DoubleTree by Hilton – 678 (tie)
11. Wyndham Hotels – 678 (tie)
13. Hyatt Place – 676
14. Sonesta Hotels & Resorts – 667
15. Ascend Hotel Collection – 665
16. Radisson – 663
17. SpringHill Suites – 661
18. Four Points – 651
19. Sonesta Select – 636
Hyatt House led the Upscale Extended Stay category for the fourth year in a row. Pictured: Hyatt House in downtown Redmond, Washington.
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Ranked: Upscale Extended Stay Hotels
1. Hyatt House – 705
2. Staybridge Suites – 680
3. Residence Inn – 679
4. Homewood Suites by Hilton – 673
Hampton by Hilton ranked first in the Upper Midscale category. Pictured: Hampton Inn property in Hornell, New York.
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Ranked: Upper Midscale Hotels
1. Hampton by Hilton – 694
2. Fairfield by Marriott – 678
3. Holiday Inn Express – 667
4. Best Western Plus – 665
5. Holiday Inn – 653
6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – 646
7. Wyndham Garden – 643
8. Comfort Suites – 641
9. Comfort Inn – 631 (tie)
9. Trademark Collection by Wyndham – 631 (tie)
11. La Quinta – 625
12. Clarion – 618
Home2 Suites by Hilton took top honors in the Upper Midscale/Midscale Extended Stay category for the third year in a row. Pictured: Home2 Suites in Indianapolis.
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Ranked: Upper Midscale and Midscale Extended Stay Hotels
1. Home2 Suites by Hilton – 711
2. Candlewood Suites – 673
3. TownePlace Suites – 665
4. Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham – 653
5. MainStay Suites – 620
6. Sonesta ES Suites – 611
7. Sonesta Simply Suites – 584
8. Extended Stay America – 558
Tru by Hilton led the Midscale category for the third consecutive year. Pictured: Tru by Hilton in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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Ranked: Midscale Hotels
1. Tru by Hilton – 723
2. Wingate by Wyndham – 656
3. Best Western – 646
4. Sleep Inn – 616
5. AmericInn – 608
6. Ramada – 589
7. Quality Inn – 583
8. Baymont – 575
Microtel by Wyndham claimed the top spot in the Economy category for the second year in a row.
Microtel by Wyndham
Ranked: Economy Hotels
1. Microtel by Wyndham – 619
2. Days Inn – 588 (tie)
2. SureStay – 588 (tie)
4. Howard Johnson – 584
5. Americas Best Value Inn – 576
6. Econo Lodge – 558
7. Super 8 – 546
8. Studio 6 – 540
9. Red Roof Inn – 533
10. Travelodge – 522
11. Motel 6 – 519
12. Rodeway Inn – 468
13. OYO – 386
Sanford, Florida, Woodspring Suites hotel exterior. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Ranked: Economy Extended Stay Hotels
1. WoodSpring Suites – 600
2. Extended Stay America Select Suites – 538
3. InTown Suites – 512
4. HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof – 492
5. Suburban Studios – 467
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Brand Stories
CheQin.ai sets a new standard for hotel booking with its AI capabilities: empowering travellers to bargain, choose the best, and book with clarity.

The global hotel booking experience has long been defined by routine: scroll endlessly, compare rates, hope for transparency, and settle for what’s available. For many, the process feels more transactional than empowering. But a shift is emerging in the hospitality sector, one that aims to put genuine control and clarity back in the hands of both guests and hoteliers. At the forefront is CheQin.ai, a platform fundamentally rethinking the way hotels and travelers connect.
From Passive Searching to Active Requesting
Unlike conventional platforms that require users to sift through dozens of listings, CheQin.ai introduces a model where guests articulate their exact requirements, room preferences, amenities, stay dates and invite hotels to respond with tailored offers in real time. This guest-driven approach replaces guesswork with choice and ensures travelers receive the most relevant options without the fatigue of endless scrolling. For groups, families, or those with specific needs, the process is refreshingly direct.
Transparent Pricing – No Surprises, No Hidden Fees
For travelers, hidden fees and opaque terms remain persistent frustrations. CheQin.ai addresses these head-on, insisting that all offers are all-inclusive: the price a guest sees is the price they pay. The platform’s zero-commission model enables hotels to pay no listing or booking fees and fosters a healthier marketplace, encouraging hoteliers to compete on genuine value, not marketing budget or hidden margins.
A Level Playing Field for Competitive Bargaining
CheQin.ai reframes hotel booking as a win-win exchange. Once a request is posted, hotels can view competitor offers and adjust their pricing in real time. This transparent competition creates an environment where guests receive up to five of the lowest, direct offers, each one clear, competitive and tailored to their needs. For hoteliers, it’s an opportunity to fill rooms and engage directly with guests, minus the overhead of traditional commission structures.
Technology That Enables Human Choice
At its core, CheQin.ai employs technology not as a substitute for service, but as an enabler of better decision-making. Instant notifications, direct hotel-guest communication, and streamlined booking processes ensure that the platform remains efficient and intuitive. Features such as bulk bookings, flexible stay durations and day-use options reflect a nuanced understanding of modern traveler requirements.
Reflecting Broader Industry Trends
The emergence of platforms like CheQin.ai is emblematic of a wider movement within hospitality: a demand for flexibility, fairness and transparency. The traditional, one-size-fits-all approach is giving way to systems where user agency is prioritized and where competition among providers ultimately benefits the end user.
Clarity and Control for All
For the modern traveler and hotelier alike, CheQin.ai sets a compelling new benchmark. Guests are empowered to bargain and select from transparent, real-time offers; hoteliers engage with motivated travelers in a commission-free environment. The result is a marketplace where both sides participate on equal terms and where clarity so often missing in hotel bookings becomes standard.
Disclosure: The author has no financial interest in CheQin.ai or any companies mentioned in this article. This article is based on independent analysis and observations of current trends in the hospitality industry.
Brand Stories
Contactless Hospitality: Why Remote Management Technology Is Key to Seamless Guest Experiences
Attributed to Kahraman Yigit, Co-Founder and CEO – Olive by Embassy

The hospitality industry has undergone rapid transformations in recent years, with technology reshaping traditional guest services to offer safer and more seamless experiences. Remote management technology is emerging as a core solution, enabling hotels to deliver contactless interactions that prioritize guests’ convenience and personalization. The push for contactless solutions accelerated post-pandemic, as hotels sought innovative ways to minimize physical contact without compromising the quality of their service.
Adapting to New Hospitality Norms with Remote Management Technology
Remote management technology in hospitality has evolved to encompass a range of automated services, allowing guests to access information, make requests, and manage their stays—all from their devices. This technology includes touchless check-ins, mobile room access, and automated concierge services, providing hotels with the flexibility to deliver high-quality service remotely.
This technology allows guests to manage nearly all aspects of their stay independently, reducing the need to visit reception desks or interact physically with hotel staff.
Ensuring Safety While Enhancing Guest Experience
Health-conscious travellers are now more likely to choose hotels that offer contactless or reduced-contact options as part of their safety measures. A Deloitte study on traveller preferences highlights that many travellers prioritize safety and hygiene when selecting hotels, with remote management technology playing a critical role in fulfilling these expectations.
This shift has led to the increased adoption of remote solutions, such as mobile check-in/check-out and virtual room controls, which minimize physical touchpoints during a guest’s stay. Beyond reducing health risks, remote management technology enhances the overall guest experience by enabling visitors to manage preferences directly from their phones or in-room tablets. This ensures a level of personalization without requiring direct interaction, striking a balance between safety and tailored service.
Boosting Operational Efficiency Through Remote Systems
For hotel operators, remote management technology provides a streamlined approach to addressing guest needs and improving operational efficiency. Centralized systems enable staff to monitor and handle guest requests in real time, regardless of their location within or outside the hotel premises.
This technology also supports predictive maintenance, ensuring that equipment and room features function optimally before guests encounter any issues. For instance, connected systems can notify housekeeping staff when a room is ready for cleaning or automatically adjust energy settings in unoccupied rooms. These features lead to cost savings and enhance operational efficiency. Hotels investing in IoT-enabled solutions and automated energy management report significant savings, supporting sustainability and seamless service delivery.
Personalization Through Data-Driven Remote Services
Another valuable aspect of remote management technology is its capacity to utilize data-driven insights, enabling hotels to personalize the guest experience further. Data analytics can help hotels anticipate guest needs and preferences, such as preferred room temperatures or dining options, without requiring guests to specify these requests repeatedly.
The Future of Contactless Hospitality
Implementing remote management technology is not merely a temporary response to health concerns but is poised to remain a cornerstone of modern hospitality. As technology becomes more sophisticated, guests can expect increasingly intuitive services that cater to their individual preferences without needing to communicate them in person.
This shift also encourages hotel staff to focus on delivering unique experiences, as many routine tasks are automated.
Remote management technology represents a significant advancement for the hospitality industry. It addresses safety and operational efficiency while maintaining a high standard of service quality. By leveraging these technologies, hotels can ensure guests enjoy a contactless, seamless, and satisfying experience, aligning with the evolving expectations of post-pandemic travellers.
About Olive by Embassy
Introduced in 2019, Olive by Embassy is the hospitality wing of the Embassy Group, one of India’s leading real estate developers. Olive is a multi-brand hospitality tech operating platform with multiple revenue avenues from management, design, and technology. With a vision to organise and institutionalise the accommodation market in India and beyond, Olive’s mission is to become the largest hospitality company in India. Olive has four brands – Olive Hotel, Olive Zip, Olive Life and Open Hotels, ranging from budget stays to premium hotels. Each Olive property operates both short-term and long-term stays while providing the comfort of home with the flexibility of a hotel.
Tip of the Day – Take Control of Your Stay with cheQin.ai
For travelers who value autonomy and seamless service, cheQin.ai lets you post your hotel needs and instantly receive tailored offers from multiple hoteliers—no endless searching, no middlemen. Unlike traditional platforms, cheQin.ai puts guests in charge, ensuring real-time responses, transparent pricing and a contactless, guest-first experience every time.
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