As everyone who travels a lot soon learns, it’s easy to forget where you are. Those big chains uniformly offer all the charm of Noplace, USA.
This disorienting sameness has become more dizzying in recent years as the chains have merged and conglomerated.
Weary travelers might choose to stay overnight in one of the Residence Inn hotels, or a Courtyard, the TownePlace Suites, or even splurge for a night in a Ritz-Carlton. In fact, though, you’re in a Marriott—the $14-billion-a-year amalgamation that owns all of the above hotel chains, along with 15 others.
Marriott is among the world’s 10 largest hotel operators. Combined, these companies run 113 different chains.
More and more travelers—especially younger ones—are seeking out independent hotels, unique inns, and local B&Bs.
