ArmchairMillionaire
Recycles dryer sheets
How about others? Have you found that for whatever reason, a nicer room has become more important to getting the most out of a destination? Why?
DW needs her own separate room. She is unable to sleep in the same room with anyone else. Her last 2 years away at college she worked odd hours and slept in fitful shifts when she could get time to herself. Once we married, we slept (well, I slept) in the same bed for the first two nights. On the 3rd night, after being awake for over 60 hours, she finally got up and slept in the spare bedroom in her old bed. She's had her own room for almost 15 years.
So when we travel, it's two rooms or she doesn't sleep. So we usually try to find places that are $75/night or less per room. (cheaper chains like the OP mentioned) If we can find a suite with 2 actual bedrooms for around $150, (or less than $200 nowadays) we'll get that. If it's a one-night stay, and it's not too pricey, I'll even book a mini-suite with one separate bedroom with a door and a pull-out sofa and I'll sleep on the sofa.
Happy wife = Happy life.