The pandemic brought record lows in hotel prices.
I was able to take advantage of some of those deals.
The good days look to be over now though.
However, if you have a trip coming up, you can still save money.
Here is how.
How The Pandemic Affected Hotels
Of course, the pandemic affected the travel industry.
People lost jobs and were furloughed.
Some hotels shut down for good.
Airlines lost money.
Despite that, one of the amazing positive things about the pandemic as mentioned earlier were historically low prices.
Hotels in place like New York and Boston that were usually at least $300 plus taxes were around $100.
Of course, those were the places that required a 14 day quarantine though.
Many people were scared to travel back then.
What Effects Hotel Prices Anyway?
You should really understand how hotel prices work.
Hotel prices are driven by demand.
I assume they have sophisticated algorithms to monitor the situation.
During periods when hotels will sell out, you will pay more.
On the other hand, in times when hotels can not fill rooms (like last year during the pandemic), prices are lower.
What is going on now?
As I was searching for hotels for future trips, I was shocked.
I know more people are vaccinated, but some places are charging higher prices than before the pandemic.
I was thinking about a quick beach trip to Gulf Shores.
Even the budget friendly Hampton Inn is charging $300+, and that is not by the beach.
Next, since Nashville is an easy drive from where I live, I wanted to do a quick second trip (did one in January).
The weekend rates were $300 for the Hilton Garden Inn.
I prefer full service hotels, but I just saw that listing while looking at the Hilton and Doubletree.
So, with most people vaccinated, the hotel industry is making up for lost time.
Another article I read said that many people were willing to pay these high prices too, so no relief in sight.
5 Ways To Save Money On A Hotel Despite Rising Prices
1. Choose to stay through the week
Leisure travel, which mostly takes place on the weekend, is rebounding.
Business travel, which occurs throughout the week, is not (at least not as quickly).
For my Nashville trip, I found that if I did a weekday stay, I would get a cheaper rate.
My trip would only be overnight.
I am thinking about staying at the landmark Hilton downtown.
Instead of $400 on the weekend, I can pay about $200 after taxes if I choose a weekday.
Since I may have time off during the week at the end of the month, I will probably do that.
Not everyone take a weekday trip with regards to their job, but if you can, you will probably save money.
This will not help in popular beach destination though.
2. Stay far from the city center
The center of the city’s tourism, like Miami Beach, will cost you.
I usually prefer to stay in the center of the city in the middle of the action.
I just came back from New Orleans where I stayed in the French Quarter.
New Orleans is usually never an expensive city in terms of hotels though (unless Mardi Gras or similar big events).
If you are choosing a market where the center of the city is more expensive, you will save money by going farther out.
That will work in international destinations like London too.
I stayed in Dundes Square in Toronto once.
It was cheaper than downtown.
Again, I usually always choose the center of the city.
If prices are insane, I would definitely compromise though.
3. Book last minute in markets that won’t sell out
Again, I just came back from New Orleans.
I saved over $50 by booking last minute.
I stayed at the Hilton St. Charles.
I monitored the situation for about two weeks.
My stay was going to be on a Saturday.
I found on each Saturday the price dropped 24 hours in advance when I monitored the situation.
If I had booked a week in advance, I would have paid $50 more.
It was going for $180 + taxes.
Within 72 hours of my stay, it went down to $130+ taxes.
You have to always understand your market again.
I knew New Orleans is not a market that would sell out.
In markets that sell out, the opposite happens.
The prices rise on the last couple of days.
The properties can sell out too in those situations.
Like I did, you can monitor the situation for a couple of weeks.
For instance, if your stay is on a Saturday, every Saturday you can see what happens to the rates on days preceding as well as Saturdays
5. With beach destinations, choose to be far off
For my trip to Gulf Shores, I will be staying in Mobile, an hour away.
My beach trip is only a weekend trip though.
It may seem extreme to travel an hour away, but I will pay $100/night as opposed to over $400 plus taxes.
I find most beach cities to have few activities at night, so sure my evening will be more interesting.
A co-worker of mine went for less popular Pensacola with a rental and seemed to fair better too.
6. Choose markets that have not recovered from the pandemic yet
Since it will be summer,. most people want to go to beach destinations.
Again, you will pay for that.
A lot of places like New York and Boston have not recovered from the pandemic.
Hotels are still dirt cheap in these markets.
This may change very quickly as places with extreme quarantine like New York are getting rid of strict requirements.
I want to fly to New York soon.
During the pandemic, it was never a consideration with a 10 day quarantine requirement.
I am fully vaccinated.
With no quarantine, maybe I will get there soon (like within a month or so).
Summary
With half the country vaccinated, and people ready to travel, hotel prices have risen.
Some popular beach destinations like Gulf Shores are higher than before the pandemic.
Despite that, there is always a way to save money.
These are things that helped me.
My trips are only 1 or 2 days right now, so if you want a week vacation, some of these may not work.
You can read how to get your summer vacation for free or nearly free here.
I like to travel frequently and cover a lot of different cities.
Flying will be another ball game too though.
If you are road tripping, you can read how road trips can help you travel more for less.
I am ready to fly again.
Hopefully, that will be within the next month.
I have not flown since the pandemic started.
Hopefully, this helps you save money.
Have you found any other ways to save on hotels while prices are rising that I did not mention?
I was just thinking about my next trip and this is so insightful. Thank you!
I am happy the post was helpful.
All good points that we have used at one point or another in our travel adventures.
Great!