Nothing beats the summer months for getting away from it all. It’s a time of sunny skies, sandy beaches, and well-earned vacations for many of us.
It can also be an occasion that really puts a dent in our wallets.
According to a recent survey, the average American spends around $1,900 on their annual vacation. Accommodation and food make up 50% of that total cost.
If that’s a little steep for you, you’ll be happy to know that there are ways to cut down on these holiday essentials.
Try these tips to get the best deals on accommodations while planning your trip and you could be heading off for a break sooner than you expect.
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Compare Prices
The internet is a great innovation for getting the best deals on everything you need, including vacations.
Simply searching for good deals in your area of interest could yield promising results. Yet, you should also check out vacation rental sites like Expedia, TripAdvisor, and Hotels.com.
These online travel agents are a good platform to get an idea of what you can expect to pay, as well as compare prices.
If you don’t do a little homework beforehand, you’ll never know if you’re getting a good deal on your accommodation or not.
Ask for a Lower Rate
Sometimes it helps to take a direct approach when you’re looking for cheap accommodation.
Often, hotel owners or booking agents will happily give you a discount if most of their rooms are empty, or if you’re making a booking at the last minute.
They might also lower their rates if you’re checking in for a longer period than most vacationers, or if you’re taking more than one room.
Accommodations are Cheaper Out of Season
During busy periods, like the holidays, hotels and apartments are usually packed to the brim with vacationers. This means rates are higher thanks to the laws of supply and demand.
Accommodation rental fees are always cheaper during low demand periods. If you’re not keen on the idea of crowds, vacationing outside of these time frames is often a better option in any case.
Not only will you have the place almost entirely to yourself, but you could also pick some extra low-season deals on meals and excursions.
In some areas, like snow skiing hotspots, some amenities may close during the summer, so be sure to check beforehand. You may prefer the avoid the masses, but you don’t want to spend your vacation in a ghost town.
Likewise, accommodation during the week is cheaper than over weekends, so a midweek break is often the way to go.
Get Off the Beaten Track
If you’re heading for a holiday hub and you need to travel during a peak time, look for accommodations a little outside of the most popular areas.
You’ll pay cheaper rates in a less popular spot, and enjoy a little more peace and quiet.
You may spend more time traveling but the cheaper cost of accommodation could offset your travel costs.
Consider Alternatives to Hotels
Hotels come with a wide range of conveniences like room service, inclusive meals, and swish facilities. Generally, the more of these they have, the higher their rates will be.
When choosing accommodation it’s important to think about whether you’ll be making full use of these extras. If you’d rather spend more time out exploring than lounging in the hotel pool, consider alternative types of accommodation.
Airbnb vacation rentals or a vacation home rental agency often offer far cheaper rates than hotels.
If you don’t like the idea of staying in someone else’s house, a self-catering apartment, cabin, or chalet, is a better option.
Prepare Your Own Meals
All-inclusive rates are always more expensive than DIY options. Not only is self-catering a lot cheaper, but you’re also not tied down to fixed mealtimes.
If you’d rather grab a hot dog on the run than dash back for a set meal, you can save a lot on your accommodation rates by going the self-catering route.
Self-catering can make all the difference to costs when choosing a vacation rental. When you’re in charge of your own meals, you also control your budget for dining.
It’s also a better option if have special dietary needs, or if you’re traveling with small children.
Be A Follower
One last tip for staying on top of the best deals available is to follow hotels near your favorite destination on social media.
That way, you’ll be among the first to know when there’s a special offer on the go.
You can also sign up for email newsletters from travel companies and accommodation providers and they’ll let you know about any upcoming offers.
Many accommodation providers have loyalty programs nowadays, so if you’re a regular, join the club and take advantage of loyalty rewards and discounts.
It’s nothing new for other non-travel-related providers to offer accommodation discounts on occasion too. Keep tabs on information from credit card companies and store cards. They may have promotions on accommodation from time to time.
More of What You Like
Getting your accommodations at a lower cost means you’re free to experience a wider range of exciting things to do and see at your vacation destination.
You’ll have spare cash to spend on tasting local eats, exploring further afield, and taking part in exhilarating activities.
To find out more about how to make the most of everything you do, keep reading our blog.
