Where -- and when -- to get the most bang for your hotel buck in 2011
Comments 5By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
By EVAN EILE, USA TODAY
In fact, many cities experience highs and lows -- seasons that is. And if you're shopping for hotel values in 2011 and land in the right place at the right time, you can reap considerable savings.
CheapTickets.com has done some calculations based on 2010 hotel bookings to project the least expensive months for 2011 stays at three-star hotels in the 70 most popular destinations booked on the site.
Some general findings:
-- Overall the lowest rates are in January, when the average room rate was $88.78. Seventeen of the 70 locales recorded their lowest rates in January.
--- Highest rates are in July, when they averaged $100.39.
-- The greatest difference in price between high and low seasons was in Fort Lauderdale. If rates are similar in 2011, visitors can expect to pay an average of 70% less in August (the cheapest month) over February (the costliest).
-- Other major savings likely to be found off peak are in San Francisco (savings were 40% in March over peak-season stays in September) and in Miami, where rates were 48% lower in September than in March.
A month-by-month rundown of where the deals are:
-- January, San Diego: It's not exactly bathing suit weather but it's frost-free, with temperatures in the mid-60s. Save 30% over peak-season July rates.
-- February, Florence, Italy: Rates drop by half over summertime and crowds are a fraction of what they are then.
-- March, San Francisco: It's not all that much colder than in early summer, plus, you'll save 40% over peak season.
-- April, Honolulu: It's the start of the dry season, plus rates are 40% lower than in peak periods.
-- May, Buenos Aires: It's late autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and the weather is grand. At 65% under peak, so are the hotel rates.
-- June, Portland, Ore.: Attend the Rose Festival and dragon boat races and get 25% off on your hotel room.
-- July, Amsterdam: The weather is ideal and rates are 30% lower than in April.
-- August, Scottsdale, Ariz.: Yes, it's hot outside, but there's air conditioning and swimming pools, and hotel rooms are about half off.
-- September, Miami: Rates are almost half off and you can save on dining, too, since it's Miami Spice Restaurant month.
October, Denver: Enjoy the fall foliage and 25% savings.
November, Toronto: Cultural events are in full swing and prices are more than 30% lower.
December, Barcelona: Take in the seaside city while saving 35% on your hotel.
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