Last minute hotels

SMP1

If I were to rock up at a hotel in the evening and they have a room spare - it is possible that they would accept almost any amount of money to fill that room over nite - because some is better than none - right ???  Anybody found a way of doing this? Not convinced that lastminute.com etc would realistically exploit this scenario.  Perhaps I am being naive? 

Voyager2002

SMP1 said:

If I were to rock up at a hotel in the evening and they have a room spare - it is possible that they would accept almost any amount of money to fill that room over nite - because some is better than none - right ???  Anybody found a way of doing this? Not convinced that lastminute.com etc would realistically exploit this scenario.  Perhaps I am being naive? 

You are being naive. Someone who turns up at the last minute is in need, and so can be made to pay a very high price.

DullGreyGuy

SMP1 said:

If I were to rock up at a hotel in the evening and they have a room spare - it is possible that they would accept almost any amount of money to fill that room over nite - because some is better than none - right ???  Anybody found a way of doing this? Not convinced that lastminute.com etc would realistically exploit this scenario.  Perhaps I am being naive? 

An empty room doesnt cost them anything, an occupied one does.

Plus you are forgetting the reverse view, you've turned up desperate with no where else to stay so will pay anything to be allowed to stay rather than being kicked out in the street. 

Hoenir

SMP1 said:

  Perhaps I am being naive? 

Most certainly yes. 

Emmia

Have you never spotted the price lists displayed in hotel receptions for on the spot accommodation? I can assure you it's substantially more expensive than booking in advance.

One hotel I stay in regularly costs (prebooking) around €120 a night, the on the spot charge is €350 - and this is a small not overly glamorous independent hotel, which is frequently fully booked.

JReacher1

Yes you can get cheap rooms if you phone up late on the day of arrival. I’ve had a lot of success in the past by calling a hotel (decent 4 star ones) asked if they have rooms and asking about the rate. When I’ve said that it is too much have been offered sizeable (50% discounts). Last time managed to get a £120 rate at a 4 star in Newcastle down to £40

If you turn up you’ve no chance as they’ll know you are desperate but it’s well worth phoning around (after 6pm) to see if you can get a discount 

mr_stripey

you might be lucky with an independent B&B who might let a room but generally you'll be regarded as "desperate" and probably pumped accordingly.

swingaloo

If you stay in the room then that incurs a cost for cleaning, bedding change, housekeeping etc so that cost needs to be covered in the price.

SMP1

I maybe should have added that I used to run my own small business in the service sector - and I certainly would entertain a large discount for last minute if I had the slot free - because whilst servicing the job cost me money - the overheads / fixed costs were way higher. 

I appreciate all the responses - and I agree that this would be a bit of a game of poker - and most of us would not be up for it. Who goes into Currys and haggles ? My wife does!!  Anyway - JReacher1 has summed it up quite nicely - and given me hope ! 

saajan_12

SMP1 said:

I appreciate all the responses - and I agree that this would be a bit of a game of poker - and most of us would not be up for it. Who goes into Currys and haggles ? My wife does!!  Anyway - JReacher1 has summed it up quite nicely - and given me hope ! 

Well exactly - while you're looking at THEIR minimum price just over break even, which might be £0 or minimal housekeeping costs. But they are looking at  YOUR maximum price, ie if they charge you £££ you will probably still be willing to stay as there might be no availability within the radius you could reasonably travel at that time of night. It goes both ways. 

SMP1 said:

I maybe should have added that I used to run my own small business in the service sector - and I certainly would entertain a large discount for last minute if I had the slot free - because whilst servicing the job cost me money - the overheads / fixed costs were way higher. 

The other difference is you're the owner who can make that judgement call, whereas many hotel staff will just be employees told to stick to a certain formula. 

JReacher1

swingaloo said:

If you stay in the room then that incurs a cost for cleaning, bedding change, housekeeping etc so that cost needs to be covered in the price.

The business owner is paying for most of these costs anyway. Cleaning staff aren’t paid per room they clean but by the hour. It’s not noticeably cheaper in cleaning costs if a room is vacant or occupied. You’re still paying the same staff for the same amount of time, they’re just doing less work. 

There will be a small saving as free items in room eg toiletries and tea/coffee won’t be used but that will be less than a fivers worth of stuff.