For years they are one of the top hot topics in tourism talks: Budget hotels seem to turn over the whole industry and make even high standard properties rethink their strategies.

To evidence the striking success of the cheap challengers a German market research institute closely examined the market. Nine popular central European budget hotel groups were checked by mystery shoppers.

What mainly impressed the inspectors was that you cannot lump them all together. Five times each group was visited unheraldedly at different locations.

The focus of the study is on service conditions: Can one expect the same friendly personnel and good quality as with renowned premium products? Yes and no: For example, the quality of breakfast was varying strongly. 45 percent of the checks resulted in "not sufficient" coffee and etc.

Another key problem is communications: An in-room phone was available only in 55 percent of the hotels, and this is a feature widely expected even among budget travellers.

Another deficit the study points out is missing facilities such as lockers, minibar or fridge. More than 30 percent of the checked locations did not have any of those convenience features.

On the contrary, TV and towels after all have been registered everywhere. First place got German hotel brand Motel One again after being awarded likewise the year before. The reviewers did especially praise "good breakfast quality" among Motel One's properties. Since 2011 the chain is beginning to enter the European neighbour countries.

Second place is occupied by budget veteran Ibis which has received a special reference as "best service with friendliest staff members". The breakfast was good there, too.