It should come as no surprise that the economy is hitting the travel industry hard. Hotels all over the country are cutting rates and announcing creative promotions to try to lure in more guests. It’s crucial that hotels book rooms, because they don’t get a second chance to fill a guestroom for the night once the sun comes up.
As you hunt for holiday travel bargains, be sure to check out 10 cities that are showing the biggest drop in hotel rates.
Top 10 Cities For Hotel Rate Reductions
Houston, Texas
1. Houston, Texas
Hotels in Houston showed the biggest drop in room rates from November 2008 to November 2009. A stay in a 4-star hotel in Houston is averaging just $74 per night right now.
2. Tampa, Florida
Hotels in Tampa actually tied Houston with a 24% rate reduction from last year. The average rate for a 4-star hotel in Tampa right now is $65 per night, and may include a view of white sandy beaches.
Miami, Florida
3. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Ouch. The Florida travel industry is not doing well with two cities showing up on the price drop list. A night in Miami will run you a little more than a Tampa stay at $89 per night.
4. Nashville, Tennessee
Thinking of taking a visit to the Grand Ole Opry? Now might be the perfect time with rooms in 3-star hotels going for $68.
Oahu, Hawaii
5. Oahu, Hawaii
Not even paradise is immune from the wheezing economy. Room rates in Oahu, Hawaii are down 18% from the same time last year.
6. San Diego, California
San Diego is listed as one of the Top American Cities To Visit, and now it comes at a bargain. San Diego hotel rates are down 16% to an average price of $72 per night.
view from Mount Bonnell in Austin, Texas
7. Austin, Texas
Texas joins Florida as a state with double entries on the list. However Austin seems to be doing a little better than Houston with just a 15% drop in average hotel rates.
8. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Plan a holiday shopping trip to the Mall of America and you’ll pay an average of $72 per night this year in a Minneapolis hotel.
Phoenix, Arizona
9. Phoenix, Arizona
With it’s dry heat, Phoenix is a popular destination for northerners looking to escape the winter cold. But that hasn’t prevented local hotels from cutting rates by 14%.
10. Las Vegas, Nevada
Save a little money on sin this year. One night in a 4-star Las Vegas hotel costs an average of $87 right now, 13% less than you would have paid for the same room last November.
Experts are saying that things are looking up for the economy, but the hotel industry has yet to feel the boost. If you can afford to take advantage of the travel industry’s woes, now might be the time to pounce.
List and date compiled by Hotwire.
Photo credit: eflon, alexdecarvalho, skyseeker, wyscan, kevindooley on Flickr.
