Econo Lodge

Econo Lodge is an economy motel chain based in the United States and Canada. Econo Lodge is the second-largest brand in the Choice Hotels system. It is one of the best known brands in its category and aims to provide affordable rooms to budget travelers. Econo Lodge properties contain a minimum of 40 guest rooms and are often located near highways or highway access. All hotels provide a free breakfast. While most of the properties are conversions, Choice Hotels plans to add more new-construction properties to the Econo Lodge brand.

As of December 2013, there are 830 Econo Lodge hotels open in the United States and 28 under development. Internationally, there are a further 84 hotels open and four under development. There are Econo Lodge motels in every US state and Canadian province.

History

The idea was begun by Norfolk, Virginia developer Vernon Myers and his son, Vernon Jr. in 1969 as Econo-Travel. They were intent on creating a new business category - the discount business hotel. They worked in the same office building as Lloyd Tarbutton, a businessman, who was also investigating the idea. Myers Jr. had drawn up a prototype for the motel, and was intent on selling the plans for $2,000. The initial motel had 48 rooms, a small lobby, and a small manager’s apartment. Myers had been trying to get investors interested in this, to no avail.