---
title: "Candlewood Suites vs MainStay Suites: which hotel brand is better?"
description: "On the numbers: Candlewood Suites. Candlewood Suites vs MainStay Suites, compared across 464 and 168 hotels: guest and Google ratings, hotel age, amenities…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites-vs-mainstay-suites/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-11-13
---

# Candlewood Suites vs MainStay Suites

Averages across 464 Candlewood Suites and 168 MainStay Suites hotels, and a head-to-head in the 63 cities where both brands have a hotel.

IHG Hotels & Resorts

## [Candlewood Suites](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites/)

- **Average guest rating:** 8.5 ·

- **Hotels tracked:** 464

Choice Hotels

## [MainStay Suites](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/mainstay-suites/)

- **Average guest rating:** 8.1 ·

- **Hotels tracked:** 168

The short answer

## On the numbers: Candlewood Suites

Candlewood Suites leads on 4 of 5 measures. Average guest rating differs by 0.44 points.

## Every measured fact

Averages over each brand's hotels. A dot marks the better figure.

 

|  | Candlewood Suites | MainStay Suites |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Guest ratings |
| Average guest rating | 8.53  (+0.44) | 8.09 |
| Rated 8 or more | 81%  (+21%) | 60% |
| Rated below 7 | 3% | 13% |
| Average Google rating | 4.12/5  (+0.27) | 3.85/5 |
| Guest reviews behind the average | 5,516 | 3,028 |
| Same city, head to head (cities where both are rated: 27) |
| Cities where it is rated higher | 13 | 12 |
| The hotels |
| Hotels tracked | 464 | 168 |
| Countries | 7 | 4 |
| Usual check-in | 15:00 | 15:00 |
| Usual check-out | 12:00 | 11:00 |
| Hotels that list it |
| Free breakfast | 2% | 74% |
| Swimming pool | 45% | 60% |
| Gym | 84% | 77% |
| Free parking | 97% | 90% |
| Pets allowed | 4% | 5% |
| Shuttle | 14% | 22% |
| Laundry | 98% | 89% |
| Hot tub | 8% | 27% |
| Restaurant | 2% | 2% |
| Bar | 66% | 67% |
| Kitchen | 52% | 26% |

## Both brands, same city

The best-rated hotel of each brand in cities where both have one. Open a match-up for the full hotel comparison.

-   ### [Dallas (TX)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/dallas-tx/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Farmers Branch By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-farmers-branch-by-ihg-dallas-tx/) 9.1 ·  Brand average here: 8.6
    
    [MainStay Suites Dallas Northwest - Irving](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-dallas-northwest-irving-dallas-tx/) 7.4 ·  Brand average here: 7.3
    
-   ### [Houston (TX)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/houston-tx/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Houston - Spring By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-houston-spring-by-ihg-houston-tx/) 8.7 ·  Brand average here: 8.6
    
    [MainStay Suites Texas Medical Center/Reliant Park](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-texas-medical-center-reliant-park-houston-tx/) 9.0 ·  Brand average here: 9.0
    
-   ### [Indianapolis (IN)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/indianapolis-in/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Indianapolis Northeast By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-indianapolis-northeast-by-ihg-indianapolis-in/) 8.7 ·  Brand average here: 8.2
    
    [MainStay Suites Indianapolis Northwest - College Park](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-indianapolis-northwest-college-park-indianapolis-in/) 6.9 ·  Brand average here: 6.9
    
-   ### [Oklahoma City (OK)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/oklahoma-city-ok/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Oklahoma City - Bricktown By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-oklahoma-city-bricktown-by-ihg-oklahoma-city-ok/) 9.2 ·  Brand average here: 8.3
    
    [MainStay Suites Bricktown - near Medical Center](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-bricktown-near-medical-center-oklahoma-city-ok/) 9.0 ·  Brand average here: 9.0
    
-   ### [Denver (CO)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/denver-co/) United States
    
    [CANDLEWOOD SUITES GREENWOOD VILLAGE DTC by IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-greenwood-village-dtc-by-ihg-denver-co/) 7.1 ·  Brand average here: 7.1
    
    [MainStay Suites Denver International Airport](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-denver-international-airport-denver-co/) 8.4 ·  Brand average here: 7.9
    
-   ### [Louisville (KY)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/louisville-ky/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Louisville Airport By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-louisville-airport-by-ihg-louisville-ky/) 9.0 ·  Brand average here: 8.7
    
    [MainStay Suites Louisville Jeffersontown](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-louisville-jeffersontown-louisville-ky/) 8.0 ·  Brand average here: 8.0
    
-   ### [Wichita (KS)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/wichita-ks/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Wichita East By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-wichita-east-by-ihg-wichita-ks/) 9.7 ·  Brand average here: 9.0
    
    [MainStay Suites Wichita Northeast](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-wichita-northeast-wichita-ks/) 9.2 ·  Brand average here: 9.2
    
-   ### [Orlando (FL)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/orlando-fl/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-orlando-lake-buena-vista-by-ihg-orlando-fl/) 8.8 ·  Brand average here: 7.6
    
    [MainStay Suites Orlando Altamonte Springs](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-orlando-altamonte-springs-orlando-fl/) 8.0 ·  Brand average here: 8.0
    
-   ### [Las Vegas (NV)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/las-vegas-nv/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Las Vegas - E Tropicana By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-las-vegas-e-tropicana-by-ihg-las-vegas-nv/) 9.1 ·  Brand average here: 9.1
    
    [MainStay Suites Las Vegas Convention Center](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-las-vegas-convention-center-las-vegas-nv/) 7.4 ·  Brand average here: 7.1
    
-   ### [Columbus (OH)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/columbus-oh/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Polaris By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-polaris-by-ihg-columbus-oh/) 8.4 ·  Brand average here: 8.4
    
    [MainStay Suites Columbus North - Worthington](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-columbus-north-worthington-columbus-oh/) 5.8 ·  Brand average here: 5.8
    
-   ### [Raleigh (NC)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/raleigh-nc/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Raleigh Crabtree By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-raleigh-crabtree-by-ihg-raleigh-nc/) 7.8 ·  Brand average here: 7.8
    
    [MainStay Suites Raleigh - Cary](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-raleigh-cary-raleigh-nc/) 8.0 ·  Brand average here: 7.2
    
-   ### [Lexington (KY)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/lexington-ky/) United States
    
    [Candlewood Suites Lexington Medical District By IHG](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/candlewood-suites-lexington-medical-district-by-ihg-lexington-ky/) 9.8 ·  Brand average here: 9.1
    
    [MainStay Suites Lexington I-75](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mainstay-suites-lexington-i-75-lexington-ky/) 8.8 ·  Brand average here: 8.8
    

## Candlewood Suites or MainStay Suites: common questions

### Is Candlewood Suites or MainStay Suites better?

On average, Candlewood Suites hotels score 8.53/10 from guests and MainStay Suites hotels 8.09/10. Candlewood Suites leads on 4 of the 5 measures we compare. Average guest rating differs by 0.44 points.

### When both are in the same city, which is rated higher?

In the 27 cities where both have rated hotels, Candlewood Suites has the higher average in 13 and MainStay Suites in 12.

### Do Candlewood Suites and MainStay Suites hotels include free breakfast?

2% of Candlewood Suites hotels and 74% of MainStay Suites hotels list free breakfast, counting hotels with a complete amenity list. Check the page of the hotel you book.

### Which brand has more hotels?

StayVersus tracks 464 Candlewood Suites hotels in 7 countries and 168 MainStay Suites hotels in 4 countries.

### Do Candlewood Suites and MainStay Suites belong to the same company?

No. Candlewood Suites belongs to IHG Hotels & Resorts, MainStay Suites to Choice Hotels.

## More brand match-ups

-   [Candlewood Suites vs Hampton Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites-vs-hampton-inn/)
-   [Candlewood Suites vs Holiday Inn Express](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites-vs-holiday-inn-express/)
-   [Candlewood Suites vs Fairfield by Marriott](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites-vs-fairfield/)
-   [Candlewood Suites vs Courtyard by Marriott](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites-vs-courtyard/)
-   [Candlewood Suites vs La Quinta](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites-vs-la-quinta/)
-   [Candlewood Suites vs Comfort Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites-vs-comfort-inn/)
-   [Candlewood Suites vs Home2 Suites by Hilton](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites-vs-home2-suites/)
-   [Hampton Inn vs MainStay Suites](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/hampton-inn-vs-mainstay-suites/)
-   [Holiday Inn Express vs MainStay Suites](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/holiday-inn-express-vs-mainstay-suites/)
-   [MainStay Suites vs Quality Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/mainstay-suites-vs-quality-inn/)

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Averages over the hotels StayVersus tracks: guest ratings from Agoda (hotels with 5+ reviews), Google ratings from public Google Maps listings (hotels with 20+ reviews). A hotel counts for a brand only when its name confirms it. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/brands/candlewood-suites-vs-mainstay-suites/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/
