When you’re traveling, you don’t need marble floors, golden elevators or five-star menus. You need a place that gets the basics right: a clean room, a soft bed, a hot shower and a staff who treats you like a real person, not a room number. Travel can be stressful enough without worrying if your hotel is going to deliver what it promises. Real comfort—dependable, honest and affordable — is what matters most. It’s about finding a space where you can relax, recharge and feel welcomed, whether you’re traveling for business, visiting family or just passing through. It’s not about extravagance; it’s about feeling at ease.
Red Roof understands that better than most. Built on the simple idea that real people have real needs, Red Roof focuses on delivering what travelers truly want without the unnecessary extras. Clean, comfortable rooms. Free Wi-Fi. Pet-friendly options. Friendly service that makes a difference. And prices that work for real life, not luxury budgets. Whether you’re road-tripping across the Midwest, heading to a meeting down South, or catching an early flight back East, Red Roof is ready to welcome you. That’s the Red Roof way: comfort without compromise.
Red Roof has always been committed to offering travelers a dependable, affordable place to stay. What began as a single location in Columbus, Ohio, in 1973, with rooms starting at just $8.50 a night, has grown into a trusted national brand with more than 700 franchised properties across the United States and beyond. While the brand has evolved over the years, its core commitment has stayed the same: delivering clean, comfortable rooms at a price point that makes travel more accessible for everyone.
Founded by Jim Trueman, a successful businessman and race car team owner, Red Roof was created with a simple mission to provide guests a clean, comfortable room at an affordable price. Trueman’s vision took hold quickly. Travelers appreciated the straightforward experience—no frills, no surprises, just a good night’s sleep and a place that welcomed them, their families and even their pets. That pet-friendly policy remains a proud part of the brand’s identity today.
Over the decades, Red Roof expanded its offerings to meet the diverse needs of today’s travelers. This led to the launch of several sub-brands under the Red Roof umbrella, each tailored to different travel styles and expectations without straying from the company’s economy lodging roots. In early 2014, Red Roof introduced Red Roof PLUS+, a higher-tier extension of the classic Red Roof Inn. Branded as an “Upscale Economy” option, PLUS+ properties offer a more modern feel and additional comforts for guests looking to upgrade their stay without stretching their budget. These properties include a selection of PREMIUM rooms that come equipped with added features like Red Roof’s Sleep Easy Collection mattress and bedding, flat-screen TVs, wood-inspired flooring, vessel sinks, granite countertops, and upgraded in-room coffee. Guests also enjoy a convenient snack box, fluffy towels, and a dedicated workstation with an ergonomic desk chair.
For travelers staying longer, Red Roof launched HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof in 2018—an extended-stay option with the same value-driven spirit. Designed for guests who need a place to stay for weeks at a time, these locations provide basic kitchen facilities, spacious layouts and flexible pricing. As of 2025, there are 80 HomeTowne Studios locations across the U.S., catering to both business travelers and families who need a home away from home.
Recognizing that some guests prefer city-center stays with a boutique feel, Red Roof also developed The Red Collection, a line of soft-branded hotels located in desirable urban and resort destinations. Each hotel in The Red Collection retains its unique local character while offering the comfort and consistency guests expect from Red Roof. In 2025, this collection includes Admiralty Inn & Suites in Falmouth, Mass.; The Mariner Resort Cape Cod in West Falmouth, Massachusetts; Le Voyageur in Wildwood, New Jersey; SPOT X Hotel Orlando/Intl Dr in Orlando, Florida; and SPOT X Hotel Tampa Bay in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
As the brand continued to evolve, so did its operations and structure. In 2021, Red Roof Franchising, LLC was officially established as a standalone business unit, giving the company more focus and flexibility in its franchise operations. With this separation, the brand was able to streamline support for franchisees and help more entrepreneurs join the Red Roof family.
Though Red Roof’s heart is firmly planted in American soil, its appeal has reached global audiences as well. In 2015, the company opened its first international hotel. The brand soon expanded to Japan, where it now operates two locations as of 2025: Red Roof Inn & Suites Osaka—Namba/Nippombashi and Red Roof Inn Kamata. These properties maintain the same guest-first philosophy and reliable quality that have made Red Roof a favorite in the U.S.
Ownership of the brand has changed hands over the years, including a period under hospitality giant Accor and a subsequent sale to a partnership led by Citigroup and Westbridge Hospitality. Through each transition, Red Roof stayed focused on its core audience and refined its offerings to better meet the needs of modern travelers.
Even as the brand grows, Red Roof hasn’t lost sight of what made it successful to begin with. It remains proudly pet-friendly, welcoming two well-behaved pets—the first of which stays free of charge—at most locations. It still focuses on value, delivering an experience that’s comfortable, convenient and affordable—whether you’re on a cross-country road trip or a short business trip. And with a growing network of over 700 locations, it continues to be one of the most recognizable names in the economy lodging space. At its core, Red Roof is about real people, real needs, and real comfort. It’s not about marble lobbies or five-star dining—it’s about clean rooms, friendly service, and dependable stays at prices that work for real life. That’s the Red Roof way.
