When to book cheap hotel room for June

JimmyTheWig

Hi,

Does anyone know the optimum time to book a cheap hotel (Premier Inn, Travelodge, etc) for June?
Prices seem to have gone sky high recently. I wonder if we're trying to book too early and we should wait for offers to come out?

Thanks,
Jim

susancs

Travelodge have sales and it is usually best to book at that time or well in advance. Premier inn release their saver rooms a couple of times a year. Popular locations with the cheaper rates sell out quickly. Sometimes they do extra offers but these are usually in the quieter hotels.

p00hsticks

If you know you definitely need one in a particular location on a particular date, I tend to book at a flexible (high) rate as soon as they become available, and you can then always cancel it and re-book nearer the time if cheaper non-refundable rooms become available.

For popular locations, I'd general say the sooner you book the better - for Travelodge I've made initial bookings up to a year in advance.

susancs

Meant to say as well that if it is a Saturday night at a budget hotel in a city, best to book as early as possible to get the best deals. Sunday nights are often cheaper.

JimmyTheWig

I guess my question is whether the "Saver" rates are likely to come down between now and June.
I understand the idea of booking a flexible rate and cancelling if needed, but the non-flexible rates are cheaper now than flexible so that doesn't really work in this instance.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

premier inn, outside of school holidays approx. 22 days before visiting. Have been doing this while living out of the bag last year.
Travelodge. about the same time.
Expedia pot luck

susancs

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

I guess my question is whether the "Saver" rates are likely to come down between now and June.
I understand the idea of booking a flexible rate and cancelling if needed, but the non-flexible rates are cheaper now than flexible so that doesn't really work in this instance.

Depends on where it is and date. For example if London, usually best to book saver rooms earlier, especially if a Saturday night stay. Also if in the school holidays (first few days of June are in the school holidays this year), graduation ceremony dates, special events ,then these dates may get more popular and expensive in some hotels. If rooms are selling less well you might get a cheaper rate a bit nearer the time at a hotel in a rural location. If the flexible rate is only slightly more it may be best to book that.

JimmyTheWig

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

premier inn, outside of school holidays approx. 22 days before visiting. Have been doing this while living out of the bag last year.
Travelodge. about the same time.

Outside school holidays, but it is a Saturday night.
You're suggesting we don't book a Saver rate now for June?

susancs

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Outside school holidays, but it is a Saturday night.
You're suggesting we don't book a Saver rate now for June?

I found a previous post on another part of the forum which seems to sugguest it is a Saturday in June in Oxford, if that is the case case, I would book now as it is a popular city on Saturdays for hen and stag dos, has graduation ceremonies in June and open days the end of June for Oxford Uni which although Wednesday and Thursday may be taken as an opportunity for some prospective students/parents to extend their stay to include the weekend. Oxford Brookes Uni has Open Days on 3 Saturdays in June also.

JimmyTheWig

susancs wrote: »

I found a previous post on another part of the forum which seems to sugguest it is a Saturday in June in Oxford

Good detective work! Yes, apparently I posted in the wrong area the first time (even though I followed an MSE link!).

if that is the case case, I would book now

That appears to be the consensus.
Apart from Blackbeard of Perranporth. Who appears to be an expert.
Hmmm...