Econo Lodge is an American economy hotel brand and one of the longest running limited service lodging chains in the United States. Founded in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1969 as Econo Travel, the brand pioneered a simplified budget hotel model that emphasized clean, standardized rooms without the full service amenities—such as restaurants, pools, and large lobbies—common in mid century motels. Econo Lodge is now a subsidiary of Choice Hotels and operates more than 690 locations across the United States and Canada.