I tried a search and didn’t find anything on this topic.
I could see how a hotel might go either way on charging full-price for a room at the last minute (I really need a room!!) to giving steep discounts (I’d like to stay somewhere tonight, but it’s really not necessary, and you have all these unbooked rooms).
Does anyone know if there are any standards in the industry on reducing room prices when the hotel has empty rooms and someone comes in at, say, 10PM wanting a room but being able to take it or leave it?
My reason for asking is because I would like to get a room sometime as an escape from my under-renovation house, but I probably won’t do it unless I can get a deal.
In my experience in an area with competition if you show up late at night you can get good deals under the ‘it’s empty and I can sell it’ rule. But I’m sure not everyplace can be had that way.
You can just show up at the desk fairly late at night and ask if they have any rooms available. If they say yes, you can say that you might take one if it is discounted. Depending on the desk agent, they may give you anything from nothing to a huge discount. It depends on the agent and how they respond to you. Desk agents generally have broad authority to alter the price of rooms in independent hotels and even some of the larger chains. Calling ahead might work too but is generally less effective than you standing in front of them.
Better to try this in a high-competition area, like a downtown area.
That way, if they say no, there’s 8 other hotels in walking distance to try. They know they’ll never see you again unless they give you a discount.
Also, getting a discount my mean sacrificing stuff like breakfasts included etc.
Thanks for your replies! I think I’m going to try it. There is only one hotel I want but I’m willing to let it go if it’s too expensive. It’s not in a downtown, but there are many similar surrounding hotels (suburban business area). Wish me luck!!