Hotel Chain Insights: Ranking the Best and Worst Brands Worldwide

Uncover the top-rated hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott, offering unparalleled hospitality, while exploring lesser-known brands that struggle to meet guest expectations.

Finding the perfect hotel can elevate any vacation experience from good to exceptional. With renowned hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott spanning the globe, determining which brand offers the best experience is essential. We’ve assessed popular hotel chains based on user ratings, popularity, availability, revenue, and the number of prestigious five-star locations.

Most Successful Hotel Chains Worldwide

1. Hilton Hotels & Resorts (Hilton Worldwide) Score – 8/10
Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, tops our list as the world’s best hotel chain. Boasting 584 locations across 124 countries, Hilton is synonymous with luxury and exceptional service. It garners significant online interest, with over 8.75 million Google searches in the past year. Notably, Hilton operates seven prestigious five-star properties worldwide.

2. Holiday Inn (IHG) Score – 6.83/10
Holiday Inn, a budget-friendly chain under IHG, impresses with its widespread presence across Europe, offering 1,190 locations in 54 countries. Despite lacking five-star properties, Holiday Inn’s popularity shines through with 25.43 million Google searches annually and a solid average user review score of 4 out of 5.

3. Four Seasons Score – 6.33/10
Renowned for luxury, Four Seasons ranks third, operating 122 locations across 47 countries. With nearly a million Google searches yearly, Four Seasons boasts 101 prestigious five-star properties and an estimated revenue of $2.1 billion.

Least Successful Hotel Chains Worldwide

1. Park Plaza Hotels (Radisson Hotels) Score – 2/10
Park Plaza, an upscale chain under Radisson, has limited availability mainly in Europe and Asia. Despite a modest revenue, Park Plaza receives minimal online interest, with only 155,400 Google searches annually.

2. Econo Lodge (Choice Hotels) Score – 2.17/10
Econo Lodge, part of Choice Hotels, caters to budget-conscious travelers across the US and Canada. Despite its popularity, reflected by over 4 million Google searches, Econo Lodge scores low in user reviews.

3. Raffles Hotels (Accor) Score – 3.25/10
Raffles Hotels, with only 21 exclusive properties worldwide, epitomizes luxury and exclusivity. While highly regarded, Raffles receives limited online attention compared to larger chains.

Best Reviewed Hotel Chains Worldwide

1. St. Regis (Marriott International) Average User Score – 5/5
St. Regis reigns supreme with a perfect user review score across prominent platforms. With iconic locations like Venice and Chicago, St. Regis exemplifies luxury and impeccable service.

2. JW Marriott (Marriott International) Average User Score – 4.9/5
JW Marriott impresses with a near-perfect user rating, offering exceptional hospitality at locations like Dubai.

3. Sheraton Hotels (Marriott International) Average User Score – 4.6/5
Sheraton Hotels, known for its international presence and friendly staff, garners high user reviews for comfort and service.

Worst Reviewed Hotel Chains Worldwide

1. Econo Lodge (Choice Hotels) Average User Score – 2.3/5
Despite popularity, Econo Lodge receives low user ratings due to limited amenities and hidden fees.

2. Ramada (Wyndham Hotel Group) Average User Score – 2.4/5
Ramada, part of Wyndham, struggles with mixed reviews, reflecting varying guest experiences.

3. Wyndham Hotels (Wyndham Hotel Group) Average User Score – 2.7/5
Wyndham Hotels, spanning 33 countries, faces challenges in user satisfaction despite global presence.

Most In-Demand Hotel Chains Worldwide

1. Holiday Inn (IHG) 25,426,000 Google Searches
With extensive global coverage and affordability, Holiday Inn dominates online searches for hotel accommodations.

2. DoubleTree (Hilton Worldwide) 11,046,000 Google Searches
DoubleTree by Hilton captivates travelers with over 583 properties globally, earning substantial online interest.

3. Crowne Plaza (IHG) 8,887,000 Google Searches
Crowne Plaza, renowned for business-friendly amenities, attracts significant online attention from travelers worldwide.

Most Luxurious Hotel Chains Worldwide

1. Four Seasons 101 Five-Star Properties
Undoubtedly the epitome of luxury, Four Seasons boasts 101 prestigious five-star properties worldwide.

2. Ritz-Carlton (Marriott International) 51 Five-Star Properties
The Ritz-Carlton offers unparalleled luxury with 51 five-star locations, setting the standard for opulent hospitality.

3. St Regis (Marriott International) 35 Five-Star Properties
St. Regis, synonymous with elegance, impresses with 35 luxurious five-star properties globally.

In summary, our comprehensive analysis highlights the best and worst hotel chains based on various criteria, providing valuable insights for travelers seeking exceptional hospitality experiences worldwide. Each chain’s performance reflects unique strengths and areas for improvement in the competitive hotel industry.

Methodology: The evaluation considered factors like hotel review scores, global Google searches, presence in countries, hotel locations, and annual revenue to rank hotel brands based on their overall performance and luxury offerings.