Here are affordable hotel brands and examples known for strong, memorable design—plus tips to find the best value. I’ve grouped them so you can scan by style and price expectation.

Design-forward budget hotel brands / chains

• citizenM — compact, tech-forward rooms with bold modern interiors and lively communal lobbies. Good in major European and North American cities.
• Ace Hotel — hip, locally curated decor, vintage furniture and artsy public spaces; mid-budget in many US cities.
• 25hours Hotels — playful, highly themed interiors inspired by neighbourhoods and pop culture; affordable-midrange in Europe.
• Mama Shelter — colorful, cheeky design and buzzy restaurants/bars; value in European cities.
• Generator (designer hostels) — affordable dorms and private rooms with industrial-chic design; great for budget travelers who want style.
• Selina — boutique-meets-hostel with strong local art, co-working and wellness areas; popular across Latin America and some global cities.
• The Student Hotel — bright, functional student-hotel hybrid with modern, social spaces and local art; good mid-budget option in Europe.
• Hoxton (occasionally offers deal rates) — warm, design-forward rooms and active lobby life; sometimes affordable with promotions in Europe/US.

Notable independent/small chains often affordable

• Boutique B&Bs and design guesthouses — many cities have local owner-run properties that showcase local designers and house-made furnishings for far less than luxury hotels.
• Converted industrial buildings — mills, factories or warehouses turned into hotels often offer dramatic exposed-brick, beam and mezzanine designs at lower prices outside peak season.

Example design features to look for (what makes them “unique”)

• Local artist-curated artwork and rotating exhibits.
• Reclaimed/repurposed materials (industrial, maritime, or farmhouse elements).
• Bold color palettes, graphic wallpapers or themed rooms.
• Multifunctional micro-rooms with clever storage and foldaway furniture.
• Large, social lobbies with libraries, record players, or café-bars.
• On-site creative spaces: galleries, maker studios, music rooms or co-working.
• Unexpected amenities: rooftop cinema, vintage barber, secret speakeasies, or in-house vinyl collections.

Where to look (search tips to find the best deals)

• Filter on boutique/design in big booking sites (Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com) + sort by price.
• Use Google Maps neighborhood search for “design hotel” + city name; you’ll find small independents not on big lists.
• Check Hostelworld or Booking for private rooms in designer hostels (Generator, Selina).
• Follow Instagram accounts or blogs for “hotel design” or “boutique hotels” for discovery and seasonal promos.
• Book off-peak, midweek stays or use last-minute apps (HotelTonight, Hotellook) for steep discounts.
• Join loyalty programs or mailing lists of chains like citizenM, Ace, 25hours and Mama Shelter for member rates and flash sales.

City suggestions where design-forward affordable hotels are plentiful

• Barcelona, Lisbon, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam — strong boutique scenes and designer hostels.
• London and Paris — many mid-priced hotels with bold interiors if you hunt neighborhoods outside the center.
• New York, Portland, and Los Angeles — Ace/citizenM-style hotels and well-curated independents.
• Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Medellín — vibrant design-focused boutique hotels at lower price points.
• Bangkok, Seoul, and Tokyo — compact, creative hotels and capsule/hostel hybrids that emphasize design.

If you want, I can:

• Suggest specific hotels in a city you’re visiting (with price-range estimates), or
• Pull current deals and availability for dates you specify.

Which option would you prefer?