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Last Minute Hotel Deals
A Guide To Last Minute Hotel Bookings
Did you know you can sometimes save money by booking last minute hotels? It's risky, but if you can be flexible with where you stay, especially when there are so many hotels in big cities like London, Paris and New York, it can be a great way to get a discounted stay.
Booking a late deal is a great way to save but it's worth working out whether doing this is the right way of booking for you as it's risky if you don't end up getting a bargain deal. There are so many platforms and companies out there like Hotels.com, Booking.com and Expedia, so let us help you find great last minute hotel deals.
Top Hotels
London Hotel Breaks
London hotels are notoriously pricey, and sometimes a great opportunity to snap up a bargain and enjoy a little getaway is booking a last minute hotel in London. With so many hotels, they hate to see rooms go empty, so sometimes they offer late deals and discount room rates closer to check-in.
It's worth bearing in mind that this isn't always the case, especially during busy periods of the year like summer or during weekends. Saturday nights are the busiest night for hotels in London, and hotels will rarely discount Saturday night stays. If you can't afford to miss out, it might be far better to book your stay in advance to make sure you secure your room, espcially in smaller, boutique hotels.
FAQs
What Is The Best Website For Last Minute Deals?
Along with mybudgetbreak.com, two of the best websites for last minute hotel deals are Secret Escapes and the app, Hotel Tonight.
What are the risks of booking last minute?
The main risk of booking a hotel so late is that your options will be limited, the hotel that you really wanted to stay at isn't available, or if you're staying in a city with a limited number of accommodation options anyway, that there may no accommodation whatsoever.
Particularly if you're visiting for an event or concert, where hotel rooms will get booked up quickly, it may often be better to book your hotel much earlier. Many hotels may not even discount at the last minute, as often business travellers will book last minute and their company will pay, so cost isn't necessarily an issue.
Late deals on hotel rooms really can be a great option if you're trying to same money. Companies such as Hotel Tonight specialise in this sort of booking, and if you haven't downloaded it, the Hotel Tonight app is a good one to download.
Even if you're not ready to book, you can make some example searches and see just how much you could save on your next stay. And if you can be flexible with what areas you stay in and which hotels you stay at, you increase your chances of getting a good deal.
Is a late booking right for me?
It's hard to say if booking a hotel at the last minute is right for you and your situation. If you really have a favourite hotel that you want to stay at, then booking late probably isn't for you. If you're attending a concert or event, hotels will get full, so again, it's probably better you book in advance.
If, however, you can be flexible, you don't mind where you stay, you're up for a bit of adventure and you can be prepared that you really may struggle with finding somewhere, then booking a hotel at the last minute could be right up your street.
Where can I stay?
The simple answer? Almost anywhere!
Whether you need a last minute hotel in London or a late deal in New York, you're often likely to find a hotel offering some sort of discount because they want to fill their rooms. Companies like lastminute.com and Hotels Tonight all provide some great deals from bargain stays to luxury resorts across the globe, so widen your search and you never know where it might take you.
Simply make your search and book. Try it in advance though to see how it works and what sort of last minute discounts you might be able to expect, otherwise you may get disappointed.
Luxury Hotel Breaks
Got a bit of a taste for 5-star luxury? Companies like Secret Escapes and Luxury Escapes specialise in discount luxury hotels, in destinations both in the UK and abroad. These deals are usually partnered with the hotel to help them fill their quiet periods, which is often called "distressed inventory" in the hotel industry.
Luxury hotel brands like Ritz Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons and Six Senses avoid discounting as it can often be seen as cheapening the brand, while others like Fairmont, Andaz, and boutique or privately owned hotels, don't mind offering deals to help fill their rooms.
Spa Hotels
Fancy escaping the daily grind for a little bit? Many luxury spa hotels, especially the likes of country houses and stately homes, regularly have late deals and discounted packages which can include all sorts of things like breakfast, a glass of champagne, spa treatment and pool access, along with your hotel room.
Private Apartments & Accommodation
While cheap hotels are an option, it's also worth taking a look at private accommodation like apartments and homes. Companies like Airbnb now specialise in this sort of accommodation, with Booking.com also offering private homes too. These can be especially useful if there isn't availability in your preferred town, city or holiday resort, or if you want to feel a bit more like a local.
If it's a sunny beach holiday in Spain or Portugal you're after, while travel companies like TUI have some great last minute package holidays, holiday villas and self catering apartments could be worth looking at too.
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