Why the cheapest hotel room may not be your best deal

Okay, sometimes it’s simply all about a cheap, clean, comfortable bed and a good night’s sleep. But often it isn’t. And in a world of never-ending deals, in the mail, on the internet and elsewhere, it’s important to know the difference.

Sometimes hotel specials are bargains that save just about as much money without the strings and restrictions of many so-called bargains. But you have to search for these deals.

And for what it’s worth, the more expensive the hotel, the more likely they are to have such potential deals, either directly or through preferred travel agents. Hotels hate lowering their prices, so these extras are a way of attracting customers without looking like they are giving the rooms away.

Booking sites such as Priceline often offer ridiculously low rates for hotels, with the caveat being that they don’t advise the hotel until after payment has been made. But it’s not just the potluck aspect of it that can be an issue. To begin with, there are no refunds. And while sometimes the hotel will honor special requests, a king, two beds, smoking, nonsmoking, etc., there are no guarantees.

Ditto, if the clerk assigns a room next to the elevator or ice machine, or overlooking a noisy alley, well, the hotel has fulfilled its contract.  

Another way to get a cheap deal is a nonrefundable rate. However, there is no recourse for a canceled trip, if any other promotions come up later that are more appealing, or if another hotel makes a better offer, clients are out of luck..

There’s also the “just a few hours of your time” rate, which comes from solicitations for timeshares. It’s usually something like two or three nights at a heavily discounted rate in exchange for listening to the sales pitch.

Some clients I know take advantage of as many of these deals as they can (they have never bought a timeshare). But it takes a special breed to withstand the high-pressure sales pitch. 

Personally I tried this once, myself, not for a hotel deal but because clients had asked how bad the pitches were, and hey, it was a free parasail ride. The experience, quite frankly, made me feel uncomfortable and almost dirty. It was high-pressure and once I said no, the salesman was extremely unpleasant, even though I had said up front there was no way I could see buying a unit.

But even with “regular” rates, there are often specials that if you — or your agent — digs around, could be a much better deal. At one hotel in D.C., a rate that was $5 more than the base rate included free breakfast and a $25 gas card, even if you didn’t drive. Similarly, I have put single clients on romance packages that turn out to be cheaper in the long run, because they include parking, breakfast, and other goodies.

In addition, if a travel agent is part of a consortium, many hotels will toss in all kinds of extras on a basic corporate rate.  The “Signature Travel Network” group extras at hotels can include everything from standard amenities like breakfast, to upgrades, free drinks, lunches, even spa treatments. Plus upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, etc. 

Again, an example, over the Christmas holidays, I was able to book a room at the U.S. Grant in San Diego, a top hotel in the Gaslight district, for under $200 a night including tax. Plus a $50 breakfast credit and $75 credit to be used anywhere in the hotel. 

A word on dealing with a travel agent for these deals. It drives most travel agents crazy to do the research and have a client book direct with the hotel if they find a lower rate. On the other hand, most agents, myself included, don’t mind clients calling and saying “I want to stay at hotel X, this is what I have found, can you do better?”  And often, we can.

Photo: W Hotel Washington/”wonderful room”