HOTELS.COM PREDICTS SEASON-LOW LODGING PRICES THIS WINTER DURING "COLD SHOULDER SEASON"

Rhea-AI Summary

According to Hotels.com, travelers can find hotel prices below $150 per night during the upcoming 'cold shoulder season' from December 15 to 20 and January 3 to 8. This winter, average nightly rates are expected to drop significantly, with reductions of $50 to $100 from summer rates that averaged over $200. Popular destinations include Las Vegas, Lima, and Los Angeles, where numerous hotels are offering competitive pricing. Peak hotel rates will occur during New Year's Eve weekend, with Caribbean locations exceeding $800 per night.

Positive

• Hotel rates expected to dip below $150/night during cold shoulder season.
• Best travel dates identified: December 15-20 (2022) and January 3-8 (2023).
• Possible savings of $50 to $100/night compared to summer highs.

Negative

• Hotel rates will peak during New Year's Eve weekend, particularly in the Caribbean over $800/night.

Here's When and Where Hotel Prices Dip Below $150 per Night This Winter

DALLAS, Nov. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelers aren't typically searching for last-minute deals in December, but this year, 'tis the season for holiday travel. According to data from Hotels.com, now is the best time to plan a budget-friendly break for "cold shoulder season," happening the weekend before Christmas and again after the New Year, with nightly hotel rates expected to dip below $150 a night.¹

Hotels.com pinpoints best times and cities to take advantage of season-low lodging rates below $150/night.

"In a typical year, travelers can find the best deals between Labor Day and Thanksgiving during fall shoulder season," said Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Hotels.com. "But travel demand hit an all-time high this summer and never really slowed down, meaning people searching for off-season deals had to do some extra digging to find those price drops. What's great about this latest Hotels.com intel is that we've zeroed in on exactly when to travel for some of the best rates." 

When to travel for $150 or less

Hotels.com analyzed average hotel rates in the app from July through January to pinpoint the two best times to take advantage of season-low lodging rates below $150 a night. The best time to go this year is the weekend before Christmas, from December 15 – December 20. For those already carefully plotting their PTO next year, the best time for a getaway is after the New Year holiday, January 3- January 8.

• Best time to travel in 2022: December 15 – December 20
• Best time to travel in 2023: January 3 – January 8

With the majority of travel concentrated to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve, travelers with the flexibility to take a trip between breaks will see fewer crowds and lower prices. During cold shoulder season, hotel rates drop as much as $50-$100 per night from this summer's highs, which averaged above $200.

According to the travel brand, hotel rates will hit their highest point this winter during New Year's Eve weekend. Average nightly rates in parts of the Caribbean, including Turks and Caicos and the Caymans, are averaging above $800 per night, and popular ski destinations such as Park City and Vail are more than $600 per night².

Where to stay this winter

Hotels.com is recommending popular domestic and international destinations where travelers can plan a last-minute cold shoulder season getaway. Based on lodging data, properties in these locales – all of which are 3-star and above – offer nightly rates below $150³.

Where to go in December

• Las Vegas, U.S. – MGM Grand Hotel & Casino from $139/night
• Lima, Peru – Sonesta Hotel El Olivar Lima from $95/night
• Los Angeles, U.S. – citizenM Los Angeles Downtown from $120/night
• Mexico City, Mexico – Historico Central Mexico City from $141/night
• Munich, Germany – Schwan Locke from $125/night
• Puerto Rico, U.S. – Casa Wilson Inn from $141/night

Where to go in January

• Denver, U.S. – Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver from $125/night
• Lake Tahoe, U.S. – Station House Inn from $139/night
• New Orleans, U.S. – Selina Catahoula New Orleans from $124/night
• New York City, U.S. – Aliz Hotel Times Square from $115/night
• Santiago, Chile – Solace Hotel Santiago from $112/night
• Tokyo, Japan – Hotel Musse Ginza Meitetsu from $105/night

Hot hotel tips for Cold Shoulder Season

Hotels.com is sharing tried and true tips on landing the best hotel rate, no matter where you're going this winter.

• Search for 3-star superstars. Everyone loves a luxury hotel, but 2- and 3-star hotel gems that don't skimp on style or traveler experience can be found. Even better: these properties usually offer cost-saving perks like free breakfast and parking. Hotels.com reports demand for 3-star and under hotels grew by 20% this year.⁴
• Find memorable amenities in the app. Select your next stay based on the most popular amenities around the world in the Hotels.com app. Use the Popular filters section to find winter-proof perks like hotels with hot tubs in Denver and Lake Tahoe. Or a room with an ocean view in Puerto Rico and Chile.
• Enroll in a free rewards program. Hotels.com Rewards Members² save 15% or more on a wide selection of name brand, boutique and luxury hotels. Plus, it's free to join.
• Read seasonal property reviews. Reviews from previous guests can provide context on overall traveler experience, but reading reviews from those who have traveled around the same time during previous winters can help shape expectations.
• Pay attention to refund policies. When possible, select a fully refundable room and the most flexible refund option in case plans change. Travelers can also narrow search results using the "Fully Refundable" app filter.

About Hotels.com® (or Hotels.com™)

Hotels.com makes it easy to find your perfect somewhere with hundreds of thousands of places to stay around the world. So, whether you're looking for value in Vegas, treehouses in Thailand or villas with views, it's all just a click away. Booking just got smarter too. With over 25 million real guest reviews and an app so easy to use that it's been downloaded 70 million times, you can be sure to find the perfect place for you.

© 2022 Hotels.com, LP, an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CST# 2083949-50

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¹ Average nightly hotel rate predictions and trends based on Hotels.com US POSa lodging rate data for the timeframe July 2019 – January 2020. Excludes taxes and fees.
² Based on Hotels.com current average nightly rates for travel December 2023. Data accessed November 17, 2022. Rates subject to change.
³ Prices listed are the lowest rates as of November 18, 2022. Rates subject to change. Prices exclude taxes and fees.
⁴ Based on interest for 1–3-star hotels from January 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021 vs January 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022 across US, CA, MX, UK, FR, NO, DK, SE, FI, JP and KR.

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SOURCE Hotels.com

FAQ

What are the best times to find hotel rates below $150 for EXPE?

The best times for budget-friendly hotel rates below $150 are December 15-20, 2022, and January 3-8, 2023.

Where can travelers find hotels under $150 this winter?

Travelers can find hotels under $150 in cities like Las Vegas, Lima, and Los Angeles.

When will hotel prices peak during winter for EXPE?

Hotel prices will peak during New Year's Eve weekend, with rates in the Caribbean exceeding $800/night.

How much can travelers save on hotel rates compared to summer for EXPE?

Travelers can save between $50 and $100 per night compared to summer rates, which averaged over $200.

What trends does Hotels.com report for hotel rates in 2022?

Hotels.com reports that hotel rates are expected to dip significantly during the cold shoulder season, offering opportunities for budget-conscious travelers.