Frank
If you want to stay in Athens, there are several chain hotels out the east side of town off of E State St and just off 32/50 highway. Several restaurants out that way to. But the nicest hotel is probsbly the Ohio University Inn and Conference Center, back near the University and the center of town. You may also consider staying in Marietta, Ohio too. And if you stay there the MPFB hotel, a Best Western, or the Choice Hotel across the street are fine. But I think that the Microtel yust off I-77 is a better choice for a small group because of price and location. You should also look into possibly renting a cabin in the Hocking Hills area.
I think the Choice Hotel you mention is the Quality Inn, there's also a Red Roof Inn next door. And a super 8 at that I-77 and OH7 junction across from Microtel, with a Shoney's an easy walk, as well as a Kroger's for groceries and beverages.
Most of the places mentioned are not "park right outside your motel door" types, they're central hallway room access. I haven't stayed in any non-chains in Marietta, so hard to say if any are good.
All of these places are somewhat limited with dining options in walking distance, as walking to other places means a long walk to get across the two large roads at this junction.
I see you are coming from NJ, so depending on how deep into SE Ohio you want to stay another location I might recommend is Cadiz Ohio. This area has seen a boom in the oil & gas industry, as a result a few new hotels have been built in town.
PS If riding in SE Ohio, and passing through Bealsville around meal time, try the Historic Bealsville Diner (52733 Ohio Ave)
