Want A Cheap Hotel For The Holiday? Avoid These Places — And Do This
If you're looking for a hotel during the holidays, you'll pay anywhere from 7% to 9% more than you did a year ago. So how can you get a deal? The cost of hotels during the holidays can reach up to 9% higher than they paid a year ago, according to Johannes Thomas, CEO of German hotel metasearch site trivago. Thomas highlighted the most expensive cities in Mexico, where there is a concentration of upscale accommodations and luxury resorts, contributing to a higher average hotel price. While Mexico is typically one of the most affordable places for Thanksgiving, these luxury options can be found in luxury hubs like Playa del Carmen and Tulum. For a last-minute trip to Mexico, consider destinations like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Playa Del Carmen, while there are also plenty of budget-friendly options compared to other major North American cities. Travelers can also lower costs by booking strategically and staying in nearby towns rather than directly at the resort can help save on accommodation costs. Social media sites, student discounts, and student discounts can also help save money.
Published : one year ago by Christopher Elliott in Business Tech
If you're looking for a hotel during the holidays, you'll pay anywhere from 7% to 9% more than you did a year ago. So, which cities are the most expensive — and how can you get a deal? I asked Johannes Thomas, CEO of the German hotel metasearch site trivago for the answer.
Trivago created a list of cities with the most expensive hotels and shared it exclusively with Forbes.
Travel dates: November 23 to 26. All nightly rates are based on a standard room.
Johannes, it looks like Mexico, which is traditionally one of the most affordable places, is not so affordable for Thanksgiving. What happened?
In tourism hubs like Playa del Carmen and Tulum, there’s a concentration of upscale accommodations and luxury resorts, which contributes to a higher average hotel price.
While we're seeing some high prices in Mexico this year, it’s important to keep in mind that there are also plenty of budget-friendly options, especially compared to a few other major cities in North America.
So if someone wants to plan a last-minute trip to Mexico for Thanksgiving — assuming they can still find an airline ticket — what are their choices?
Affordable options include Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen. But it is getting late for Thanksgiving. You might try those destinations for Christmas or New Year's.
Looks like French Polynesia is out of my price range. Or is it?
Bora Bora is definitely a pricey location. But you can find similar, more affordable beach experiences on other islands in French Polynesia, such as Moorea or Tahiti. There are also affordable options for a beach vacation in areas like Mexico, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Central America.
Are there places you can go to ski that will not bankrupt you?
For those looking to get the most bang for their buck on skiing this year, I’d recommend several affordable alternatives. For example, instead of heading to renowned and pricey resorts like Aspen or Vail, consider more budget-friendly options like Loveland Ski Area or Monarch Mountain. And while Park City is a popular destination in Utah, there are more economical choices like Brighton or Solitude Mountain Resort.
Can you lower your costs by booking strategically, like during the week?
Yes, costs can vary depending on the time of year, day of the week, and other factors, and staying in nearby towns rather than directly at the resort can help save on accommodation costs. I’d also recommend purchasing lift tickets in advance or as part of a package deal to help reduce expenses.
I was really surprised by your New Year's list, Johannes.
10 most expensive cities for New Year's
Wow, those destinations are really pricey. What happened there? And is New Year's really the most expensive holiday to travel?
During peak seasons like the holidays, prices tend to escalate. I would strongly recommend considering off-peak travel if it's a viable option, but this decision depends on the destination.
Is there anything else going on?
Maybe. You should also pay attention to any upcoming events like concerts and sports competitions, which can lead to a significant spike in prices. Staying mindful of the local event schedule can help you plan your travels more strategically and potentially find more budget-friendly options.
OK, let's say you're a little late to the party and want to plan a trip for Christmas, New Year's, or even Thanksgiving. What strategies would you use to get a lower price on hotels and airline tickets?
There are a few things last-minute travelers can do. First, as mentioned, I’d consider exploring nearby and alternative destinations. I’d also check out any special offers that may come about around Black Friday.
Are there any new tricks that you can use to save money this year?
Flexibility is key here. In addition to being flexible in terms of location, I’d also recommend being flexible with travel dates. Rates can vary significantly, depending on the day of the week and even time of day.
Price comparison sites like trivago can help to quickly and easily compare prices across platforms, and booking in advance can help secure lower prices. However, it's also worth checking for last-minute deals, especially for hotels.
I would also recommend looking into opportunities to take advantage of student or membership discounts, and even cashing in credit card rewards to help save. Lastly, social media sites and newsletters can also be a good resource for spotting good travel deals and promotions.
What is the biggest mistake travelers are making when it comes to holiday travel?
I see travelers all the time limiting themselves to a single website when booking hotels. But there’s a range of offers available across various platforms that can lead to substantial price discrepancies. Travelers should adopt a systematic approach by utilizing a comparison website or metasearch engine. This will allow for a comprehensive search to identify favorable deals.
There are so many places to buy travel online. Does trivago offer anything that other sites don't?
Trivago is primarily a metasearch engine that aggregates hotel and accommodation prices from various booking sites. This allows users to compare prices and find the best deals from multiple sources. Our website scans a vast number of hotel booking websites, including online travel agencies and hotel chains, providing users with a comprehensive overview of available options and their respective prices. And this is crucial as price differences across booking platforms are more pronounced compared to pre-pandemic.
Where are you traveling for the holidays? And, if you don't mind, can I ask you how much you are paying for your trip? Did you find a deal through your site?
l recently had the pleasure of experiencing the beauty of the Balearic Island of Mallorca with my family. Our stay at one of the beachfront hotels in Playa de Muro was made even more memorable thanks to trivago. We secured an incredible deal, saving about 15% compared to other booking platforms. This highlights how, especially in popular holiday destinations, travelers can unlock significant savings by harnessing the power of price comparison. We are observing that price differences across booking sites have increased since the pandemic
Topics: Holidays