Finding cheap lodging isn’t always the easiest task of planning a vacation. It can be done though! I’ve pulled together my best tips on how to find cheap hotels, to make this aspect of planning a vacation less stressful.
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Looking To Find Cheap Hotels?
Finding cheap flights and finding cheap hotels are essential to most vacations.
Lodging is obviously one of, if not the most important aspect of any trip. The luxury, the comfort, the good night’s sleep, the variety of toiletries… But how do you find hotels without breaking the bank?
Let’s face it, hotels aren’t always cheap. And there are a million websites out there that claim to all give you the cheapest rates. But how do you sort through the noise to find the actual best rates on hotels?
Well, I’ve done it, so you don’t have to.
Best Booking Sites For Finding Cheap Hotels
Booking
I have found in my travels that the website with the most consistent amount of cheap places is Booking.com.
It doesn’t always produce the largest number of hotels, but it does seem to have the cheapest ones, which is obviously important if you’re traveling on a budget!
Just enter your destination and dates, and booking will find you great options for lodging.
By far, Booking is the website I use the most frequently. I use it to price shop, compare rates and hotels, and to book my stay.
Expedia
Another great option to find cheap hotels is Expedia. I’ve used Expedia on numerous occasions with great results. Especially when combining a hotel with a rental car, I have found that Expedia gives great prices.
I’ve even used Expedia to book vacations at all-inclusive resorts. It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking to save money on lodging.
SuperTravel (formerly SnapTravel)
I also have used SuperTravel on multiple occasions. Super has changed over the last year or so, and now functions much the same as other search engines.
I have found their prices to be mostly on par with Booking but sometimes the savings you can get with them are significant.
Hotel Tonight
If you are looking for a last minute stay, Hotel Tonight offers heavily discounted room rates for last minute travelers at thousands of hotels worldwide. I personally have not used it yet, but I have done some mock book ups comparing it to other sites and the savings can be quite large.
For example, I looked for a last minute room at one hotel in Boston and the price difference for one night was over $115! If you need a last minute room somewhere, definitely check with Hotel Tonight.
Timing Is Everything
Timing plays a pivotal role in securing the best hotel deals. Additionally, keep an eye out for flash sales, limited-time promotions, and special events that might offer discounted rates.
Book Off-Peak
Choosing off-peak seasons means fewer crowds and often translates to pocket-friendly hotel rates. So, if you can sync your travel dates with off-peak periods you stand to save significantly.
For popular destinations booking even during off-peak days can often result in lower rates. In Las Vegas, for example, you can get far cheaper hotels during the week, as opposed to on weekends.
In the Caribbean, many places slash prices during the rainy season. Yes, you need to be more aware of weather conditions, but off-peak season here means you can find cheap hotels and much smaller crowds.
Have Flexible Travel Dates
Being flexible with your travel dates can open up a world of possibilities when it comes to finding cheap hotels. It’s one of the travel world’s best kept secrets! This isn’t just a game-changer; it’s a budget-friendly hack that savvy travelers swear by.
Play around with different arrival and departure dates in your booking search. Sometimes, a slight adjustment can lead to significant cost savings.
You might discover that staying an extra day or adjusting your arrival by a day lands you a hidden deal – a discounted rate that might have eluded you with a fixed schedule.
Be Mindful Of Local Events
Local events can play a surprising role in lodging prices. When popular festivals, conferences, or sports events roll into town, the demand for accommodations skyrockets.
Hotels respond by not only filling up quickly but also adjusting their prices to capitalize on the surge in visitors. This might mean higher room rates and limited availability, especially close to the event venue.
Some destinations even have dynamic pricing strategies, where rates change in real-time based on demand.
On the flip side, hotels might offer special event packages, bundling tickets and exclusive access to justify premium prices. So, when you’re planning your next adventure, keep an eye on the local events, celebrations, concerts, festivals, etc for your best shot at a wallet-friendly stay.
Last Minute Deals
Vacant hotel rooms are like throwing money down the drain. So in order to fill those unused rooms, sometimes hotels will drop prices to entice more people to book.
It’s a win-win – they fill up their rooms, and you get to enjoy a cozy stay without burning a hole in your wallet.
The chance of snagging these deals depends on where you’re headed, the season, and how flexible you are with dates, but it’s possible. Especially if you use the tip from above and check out Hotel Tonight.
Additional Tips To Find Cheap Hotels
Use Discount Rates To Book Cheap Hotels
If you are part of the AARP or AAA you can get special rates that are cheaper. Many places also give military discounts, so if you are active or retired military it’s worth asking about.
Sign Up For Loyalty Programs
Hotel loyalty programs extend beyond the ordinary. Complimentary upgrades, exclusive access to facilities, and discounted rates for members – these are the secret weapons in your quest for affordable luxury.
When aiming to find cheap hotels, familiarize yourself with loyalty programs to really amplify your savings. Expedia and booking.com offer members 10% off bookings. Others give you free nights after X amount of stays, loyalty tiers, and more.
Expert Tip: Always sign up for loyalty programs before you book so you can get the credit for your stay!
Use Promo Codes
Once I figure out where I’m going to stay, or have narrowed it down to a couple different places, I always google promo codes for that hotel.
Many times I’ve found codes that have saved me 10% or more, and all it took was a couple minutes of searching online.
Step-By-Step Guide To Booking With Google
Another extremely helpful option for finding cheap lodging is google itself. Simply head to google and type in the location you’re looking for.
Google scours the various websites for you, and gives you the pricing breakdowns for each site. It takes all the guesswork out of finding the best rates on hotels.
Go to google and type in the location you are looking for. For example, “Boston hotels”. Click on the link at the bottom of the results that says “View Hotels”. From here input your dates, and your number of travelers.
Next, you can sort your list by price or rating, and narrow your results according to your own preferences. Maybe you just have to have a pool, or you are only interested in eco-certified hotels.
Once you click on a specific hotel, google will show you all the websites and their prices. You may be surprised to see just how much variation there can be on this page. The first few results are typically sponsored ads, so scroll down the page and click on “View More Options”.
You can also check the reviews on the hotels, see the location on a map, and even find things to do in the area.
Once you’ve found the lowest price, call the hotel directly! If you ask them to price-match they usually will, and then you gain the ability to earn loyalty points with them. If they won’t, simply book online with the website you found with the lowest price.
Finding a cheap hotel doesn’t have to be an all-day affair. Using these tips will definitely enable you to quickly find cheap hotels so you can focus on enjoying your vacation.
