New Lodging.com survey shows consumers can cut hotel costs in half

Added: (Thu Jul 19 2001)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Travelers can save half on hotel costs by planning vacations during downtime says Lodging.com. A recent survey by the hotel discounter found that lodging rates in major U.S. destinations nearly double during peak tourist seasons.

According to Lodging.com, Florida finishes first in terms of fluctuation, with rates increasing 80 to 90 percent. In Orlando, a $99 September rate rockets to $189 in March. In Miami Beach, a summer rate of $49 climbs to $89 during winter. On average, rates in Washington, D.C., increase about 75 percent and Las Vegas, San Francisco and other cities show increases closer to 50 percent.

While rates in some hot spots, such as Myrtle Beach or Vail, are weather-determined, many destinations are just as agreeable during slow seasons. ‘Off-season’ doesn’t mean bad weather, according to Lodging.com’s destination expert and managing editor, Wendy Maxey.

“As long as the weather is decent, off-season is actually a better time to visit many places,” says Maxey. “Hotels tend to provide better service when they have less guests, and you can experience the city in a more relaxed, natural state – without blowing your budget.”

The key is investigating your destination in advance, adds Maxey. She recommends checking for lower rates between low / high seasons and consulting a reliable weather resource before booking a room.

Lodging.com’s Guide to Seasonality and Room Rates

Destination/Low/High/Average Room Rate
Boston/Winter/Summer/$136.80
Chicago/Summer & winter/Spring & fall/$107.90
Las Vegas/Jul, Aug, Nov, Dec/Remaining months/$74.30
Miami/Summer/Winter & spring/$131.97
New Orleans/Summer/Mar, spring/$133.45
New York/Summer & winter/Spring & fall/$250.00
Orlando/Aug-Nov/Dec-Jul/$97.97
Reno-Lake Tahoe/Nov-Mar/Apr-Sep/$55.82
San Francisco/Winter/Summer/$150.99
Washington, D.C./May-Sep/Jan-Apr/$125.98

To learn more about major destinations, including average weather and hotel rates, check online at http://travelguides.lodging.com.

More than 15,000 travelers book rooms through Lodging.com’s Web site and call center each month. In addition to the convenience, they find the best rates, comprehensive hotel ratings and in-depth destination information at the top-ranked travel site.

For more information, visit www.lodging.com or call (888) LODGING.

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