For travelers, sticking to a chain hotel rather than exploring the bed & breakfasts of a region might be more advantageous than initially believed.
When you travel, you want to ensure that the entire trip is made as seamless and relaxed as possible. There's nothing more frustrating than planning an elaborate, rejuvenating vacation only to have it destroyed by an unexpected variable. For this reason, when traveling, you should do your best to stick to hotel chains.
Of course, this sounds like a handicap to some tourists. They want to "explore the local culture" to the fullest extent possible. To them, this entails sleeping in a cosy bed & breakfast on the coast, a tiny establishment run by an elderly woman or a young family. While this can certainly be a worthwhile experience, the unpredictable element at play makes it a bigger risk than an uninformed traveler should take. Unless you know someone who has spent time recently in this particular establishment, it isn't worth taking that leap.
With the larger hotel chains, like Embassy Suites or the Hilton or even Marriot, you know exactly what you'll be getting, because they offer that same standard of service (with a few minor deviations) worldwide. Therefore, you can plan on receiving the continental breakfast from Embassy Suites, for example, and factor that into your family's travel plans. Knowing what to expect while away from home is the first step to ensuring a solid, low-stress vacation.
Furthermore, the larger chains are able to offer ammenities for which smaller, independent establishments may not have the budget. Examples of these ammenities include fitness centers (including pools and hot tubs), room service, in-room television, and daily maid service. The main argument raised against sleeping in a chain hotel is that the experience is impersonal; the staff won't greet you by name nor will they cater to your specific needs or desires in the way that a less occupied owner of a bed & breakfast might. There is some truth to this argument, but the consequence of this "impersonal" element is actually increased flexibility. You don't have to worry about disturbing your hostess when you come in from the theater late at night, because larger hotels anticipate and accomodate late night returns without question. Furthermore, decreased familiarity with the hotel staff means that you don't have to feel bad when you leave a towel on the floor in a heap or forget to tidy your room before you step out in the morning. The operation is very much a business transaction; personal space is never invaded upon.
Finally, chain hotels are often located in a more central region of town given zoning laws and budget sizes. Smaller bed & breakfasts might feel, additionally, that semi-seclusion adds to their charm. However, when you need to get to an event in the city (where you will undoubtedly be spending most of your time if operating as a tourist), the hassle of calling a cab or coordinating a suburban bus service can be more hassle than it's worth.
When traveling, you should tailor your trip to suit your own tastes and desires. However, if you're choosing a bed & breakfast on the general recommendation of a friend ("the one I went to in Nantucket was nice," he might say), think twice. Chain hotels are highly frequented for a reason: they're good at what they do.
