Accommodation Trends for the 2010s   by Subramani Chinnaraj

in Travel / Hotels and Lodging    (submitted 2010-12-03)

While the year 2010 started out somewhat feeble in the accommodations industry, things started to pick up by the end of the year, and hotel rates are expected to increase in 2011, particularly in big cities like New York and San Francisco. But that doesn’t mean that cheap hotels can’t be found. It just may take a little more research.

The trend toward higher hotel prices is driven by corporate trends. With corporations showing bigger profits in 2010, they’re less reluctant to restrict employee travel, and hence spending on corporate travel is starting to go back up again. The effects on the average personal travel expenses is not expected to be great, except for in certain hot spots like major cities.

More likely, the effects of a more expensive travel market will be felt at the airports. Airlines have seriously reined in their capacity over 2010, and are tightly tracking supply with demand. This means full planes, and the possibility of increased air fares. Also, gas prices are expected to inch back up to the $3 per gallon mark over 2011, so car trips are likely to become more expensive.

So how does the typical traveler make the most of their travel dollar? By doing research. When it comes to stays in big cities, it pays to sign up with hotel reward programs. This can be done online with chains like Hilton and Marriott, and can net discounts and freebies for those who travel often. In many cases, the best room rates can be found right on the hotel chain’s website, though comparing on sites like Hotels.com, Expedia.com, and Travelocity.com are worth doing, because you just never know.

When traveling to the big cities, location can make a huge difference, even within the same hotel chain. For example, staying a couple of miles out of the center of town can save big. In Atlanta, midtown hotel rates can be double the rates in neighborhoods like Buckhead, and inner city hotels often have expensive parking, while a few miles out, parking is free. But in cities with rapid transit systems, subway systems often reach hotels that are a bit away from the city center.

Also worth researching for those whose travel dates are flexible, are weekday versus weekend rates. Hotels that cater to business travelers often have cheaper weekend rates, while hotels that cater to tourists, often have cheaper mid-week rates. The key to getting the best hotel rates is comparison shopping online, and booking great rates quickly. In most cases, you can cancel reservations up to the date of travel if you find a better deal elsewhere.

About the Author

Whenever you plan a trip, you might look for hotel reservations. It is very difficult to search for cheap hotels in the recent times.