Econo Lodge is an American brand of low-budget motels, which was established in 1969. Today the company has a chain of more than 800 motels across North America and is operated by Choice Hotels.
Econo Lodge, a notable name in the hospitality industry, was founded by Vernon Myers and his son in 1969. Establishing its roots in Norfolk, Virginia, the brand rapidly grew, charting a path of remarkable achievements over the decades. Notably, Econo Lodge was among the first hotel chains to implement a computerized reservation system in the 1970s, a pioneering step in the sector. This innovation highlighted its commitment to adapting emerging technologies to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
Throughout the years, Econo Lodge has sustained its momentum, continually expanding its reach. Its philosophy of offering affordable accommodations without compromising quality struck a chord with budget-conscious travelers. As of my last update in April 2023, Econo Lodge, now a part of the Choice Hotels umbrella, boasts a substantial presence with hundreds of locations across North America. The brand maintains its relevance and appeal in the competitive hospitality landscape, focusing on affordability, convenience, and consistent quality.
What is Econo Lodge?
Econo Lodge is a prominent budget hotel chain, known for its affordable, reliable, and convenient lodging options, catering to travelers seeking value without sacrificing comfort.
The original logo of the Econo Lodge low-budget hotel chain was created in 1962 and featured an interesting image, executed in a black and white color palette. It was a retro slot machine, with the narrowed letters of the hotel chain name set in white rhombuses, in two lines. The box was decorated by five vertical sticks coming out of its upper part with the sphere of different patterns on the end of each stick.
The redesign of 1978 introduced a completely different concept of the Econo Lodge visual identity. It was a horizontally oriented rectangular badge with the logotype set in two levels and executed in an extra-bold sans-serif typeface, enclosed into a thin red frame with rounded angles. The inscription looked modern and powerful with its massive shapes of letters and intense red color.
The Econo Lodge visual identity is based on brightness and intensive mood. The rectangular emblem with rounded angles comprises a wordmark and the brand’s symbol above it. The main hero of the logo is a color palette, which makes it stand out and be recognizable.
The bright red background of the emblem created a great contrast with the white lettering of the Econo Lodge wordmark, which is executed in a condensed sans-serif typeface with smooth lines and slightly sharpened ends of the “C”. The inscription boasts a dark shadow which adds volume and movement to the logo.
The oval symbol of the Econo Lodge is composed of a red background with a yellow swirl, forming the letter “E” in the lowercase. Its soft sleek lines and gradient shades of yellow make it look modern and luxurious.
The Econo Lodge logo is simple yet contemporary and remarkable. The brave use of colors works on the brand, showing it as a powerful and passionate. The logo looks confident and energetic, evoking a happy and welcoming sense.