Holiday Inn Express and their smartmeter is keeping track of what the Presidential candidates are spending on hotel stays. I’ve heard of voters kicking the tires to check candidates for common sense, horse sense and a lotta other senses, but this is the first instance of a website cataloging politicians’ travel sense. Seems the site, Stay Smart, America compares the actual hotel stay costs of each candidate against what they would have spent (saved), had they stayed at Holiday Inn Express.

Seems Hillary Clinton spent a total of $309, 351 on hotel stay in the first three quarters of 2007. And she could have saved $65,364 if she had opted to stick with Holiday Inn Express. That’s a 21% savings on hotel stays. Barack Obama spent $833, 247 during the same period, and he could have saved $364,952 if he had stayed at Holiday Inn Express. That’s 44%.

For the record, the Stay Smart offer at Holiday Inn Express includes a free breakfast bar with hot entrees, cinnamon rolls and coffee, free high speed internet access, unlimited free local calls, in room data port and microwave, swimming pool, fitness center, fax and photocopy service, and rewards for extended use including free stays, sir miles and freebies like free movie tickets. Best of all, children under 19 can stay free in parents’ room.

As far as New York is concerned, the hotel has 56 branches in New York State, including the Madison Square Garden hotel  and one on Fifth Avenue. Parking here is about a $1 per hour or $24 per day, which is a steal, if you’re familiar with NYC parking.  Room rates start from $192 if you book online and in advance , and if you’re a member of the Priority Club, you get all the freebies and prizes and stuff listed above.

It’s a pretty smart idea to focus on cost savings, especially at a time when everyone is looking to cut costs and the economy is sputtering. Personally speaking, though, I find the idea of restricting my hotel stays to one hotel not only dismaying but also against the basic tenets of travel sense. I mean, you travel because you need a change. If you’re to end up at a clone of the last place you went to, might as well stay at home and save all the money, instead of saving a little by curtailing your choices. So I suggest you keep an open mind, and opt for a smart stay only if you find the other options not up to your standards, regardless of cost.

Web links: Holiday Inn Express hotels, New York