How to get a good deal at an expensive hotel

[Blackandblue]

Recommendations please.

I want to take the missus off to a hotel on Friday night. Out of London but not too far. Brighton would do. Or, say, the Hotel du Vin in Henley. That sort of thing.

I've deliberately left it late in the hope that there may be some good deals out there. Well, if they are out there, I can't find 'em.

Laterooms.com either quote more than the hotel website or tell me that the hotel is full when there are rooms available on the hotel website.

Has anyone tried a "secret hotel" on the lastminute.com website?

Should I leave it until Friday morning and ring around the hotels directly? Many require a 2 night stay over the weekend. If they still have rooms free on Friday, would they consider letting one go just for the one night (rather than leaving it empty)??

Cheers

 

[meenaghman]

get this from something I signed up to once..
http://uk.top20.travelzoo.com/

 

[lukesdad]

Inside info: Friday night is the worst night in most hotels along with sunday night.If recepion has vacancies they probably wont sell them on spec but Im afraid friday morning would still be to early to get alarge reduction.

no harm in trying you would need to speak to the accomodation services manager or head receptionist, ordinary receptionist would not have the authority to worried about their average room rate.

try " what could you do me a room for tonight. then is that the best you can do" its their decision they will have some leeway. Ive sen some go for a steel.

 

[another_dave_b]

My mum recently saved 50% just by booking thru the hotel website, rather than the phone.

 

[mknash]

Book a normal rate room, but turn up with traces of confetti in your hair and lok very excited.

A mate has done this 3 times now and got a room upgrade each time

 

[Rieley]

Book a normal rate room, but turn up with traces of confetti in your hair and lok very excited.

A mate has done this 3 times now and got a room upgrade each time

Great idea! Does it work in Travelodge?

 

[snorri]

Has anyone tried a "secret hotel" on the lastminute.com website?

Yes.
I found myself in a hotel which normally would be well out of my price range in Leicester Square.
There were no hidden snags, it was an excellent deal for me.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

i used to contract all over europe and sometimes the world. i used to ring up the hotel direct and bargain for 10 people for 10 weeks. when you turn up just say contract changed. prices never went back up. also just say " that's too expensive i need it to be cheaper" they usually haggle.

cheers

 

[rich p]

Recommendations please.

I want to take the missus off to a hotel on Friday night. Out of London but not too far. Brighton would do. Or, say, the Hotel du Vin in Henley. That sort of thing.
Cheers

I could rent you the west wing at Chateau Rich p for a snip!

 

[CopperBrompton]

Travelzoo is good, as is hotels.com. Bargaining direct can work well, but I've only ever had significant success doing it on the day of arrival (when they can be pretty confident that they have X rooms that are going to remain unsold).

 

[dellzeqq]

Hotel du Vin? Don't. Really. Just don't.

Ring up and ask if they've got any last minute bargains. The Swan at Southwold is discounting, although they might just be discounting to repeat customers. Bear in mind, though, that hotels are doing pretty well - the pound has fallen, and people are staying in the U.K.

 

[Globalti]

Whatever you do, DO NOT USE Lastminute.com they are just a bunch of shysters trading on a once-wacky name. The call centre is in the Far East and they are just operating a computer system that takes offers from second-rate hotels and flogs them to gullible punters. I had the misfortune to use them recently for a room in London for an overseas visitor and the whole experience was distressingly unpleasant for both of us. Never again.

Ring hotels, speak to the sales manager nicely and ask for deals.

 

[ed_o_brain]

Laterooms has worked for me on a few occasions. Cheaper than ringing, cheaper than the hotel website.

Seconded.

Although I would recommend my employer, wouldn't I?
www.laterooms.com

 

[AdamBlade]

I've booked a few through lastminute.com had never had any problems. Booked a secret hotel and was in the centre of London close to Covent Garden. Couldn't fault it at all.

 

[Crankarm]

All very well but when it goes tits up and Mrs B&B doesen't fancy sleeping on a park bench because you haven't sorted out a room you might wish you hadn't been so tight with her expectations . You'll never be allowed to forget it.