ACSI Reports Hotel Guest Satisfaction Is Up 2.7 Percent

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index’s new travel report, guest satisfaction with hotels is up 2.7 percent to an ACSI score of 76, driven by gains for smaller hotels and B&Bs. With the rise of online hospitality brokers like Airbnb, travelers have more choices than ever before, forcing hotel operators to compete on both price and customer service.

Hilton guests are the most satisfied (81), and Hyatt (+1%) ties Marriott (unchanged) for second place at 80. Marriott’s Starwood brand is just a notch below (+1% to 79) followed by InterContinental (+3% to 78). Best Western, La Quinta and Choice are in the range of 76 to 74, while the combined score of all other smaller hotels and B&Bs is up 3 percent to 74. Wyndham (+1% to 71) lags most of the major hoteliers, but G6 Hospitality (Motel 6) is in last place (65).

Among hotel brands, luxury offering JW Marriott tops the chart (85), while upscale Hilton Garden Inn and Hyatt Place share the next spot at 84. Starwood’s Aloft, part of the Marriott family, comes in at 83, alongside Hilton’s Embassy Suites Hotels.

Wyndham holds the top-rated midscale property, Baymont Inn & Suites (76), as well as the best economy brand, Days Inn (67). However, the Wyndham family also has the lowest-ranked chain in the industry – Super 8 (63).

InterContinental’s most satisfying brand is Holiday Inn Express (79), which scores equal to Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, and Hampton by Hilton. Midscale brands Best Western and La Quinta Inns & Suites score on par with Sheraton (75), Marriott’s upper upscale chain by Starwood.