In about 1977, I got a job as a part-time auditor at the local Ramada Inn, working weekends 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM. The cost for a double room was $28. While I was working there, Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits), Muddy Waters, and an official for the UN stayed there.
A friend is coming to visit in a couple of weeks, and he wanted me to look for a good price for a room. We offered him our guest room, but he prefers to stay on his own. On a weeknight, a room at the Marriott costs $165. For the weekend, that goes to $350. That's $350 to sleep for one night. Amazing! Yes, I know that if people didn't pay that much, they wouldn't charge that much. Still, when I think of all I could buy for $350, there's no comparison.
The Marriott is upscale, but the other places charge similar rates. You know how Motel 6 got its name, right?
When I was a kid traveling with my parents one summer, it was very hot, and everyone was worn out. My father pulled into the first motel he saw - price didn't matter. The cost for a night was $18! We were all surprised at how expensive it was, but we didn't care.
In about 1977, I got a job as a part-time auditor ... (