This past year I stayed at one of the worst motels ever and one of the best….and they were both branded as Howard Johnson’s. The horrific one was during a road trip with my dog so my choices were limited.  The one I found was not even to my dog’s liking.  She sniffed both beds and whined.  The odors of urine and smoke hung like clouds over the room. The linens were stained, worn and stinky.  The night could not have possibly passed quickly enough.

A few months later, while in Shanghai I stayed at a Howard Johnson hotel…perhaps that was the difference: one a motel and one a hotel?  Anyway this one was impeccable, almost luxurious.  Interestingly enough, they were both the same price!