Need a hotel? Navigating the maze of online deals, discount codes, credit card offers and loyalty programs can make booking tricky.Summer vacationers looking for deals on hotel rooms are going to have to search a little harder.
The average cost of a room now stands at $110, up 4 percent from last year and 8 percent from two years ago, according to travel research company STR.
A recovering economy and the return of business traveler spending have helped to drive up the cost of a good night’s rest. But that doesn’t mean that hotel stays need to break the bank. Here are some tips to save on your family’s summer lodging:
Consider the extras. Booking a hotel isn’t as simple as just looking at the rate and taxes. Some hotels include Wi-Fi, breakfast, bottled water and parking. Others add on hefty fees for some or all of the above. Then there are those dreaded resort fees. They were once just levied at resorts or Las Vegas casinos, but today hotels in big cities – not your typical idea of a “resort” – are adding on the charge. Most hotels disclose the fees on their websites, but you often have to hunt around to find them. You can always pick up the phone, call the front desk and inquire before booking.
Kitchens, laundry and privacy. These amenities won’t directly save you on the room rate, but can make your vacation cheaper. If you are a large family, you might want to prepare a few meals in your room. Extended-stay hotel brands such as TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Starwood’s Element and Homewood Suites by Hilton offer in-room kitchens. Many hotels also offer on-site laundry machines for guests to use. To avoid getting two rooms, but still have some privacy, consider a chain like Hilton’s Embassy Suites, which offers parents their own room and a pull-out sofa in the living room for the kids.