Best way to find a cheap hotel

[Annikate]

I thought I'd throw this out here in this fabulous forum.

We have to go to Atlanta this May for a graduation. I'm excited to go and we're going to make a mini vacation out of it. Probably 5 nights there.

All the hotels raise their prices that weekend to double - probably b/c it's Memorial Day. I've tried Priceline and the others like that, AAA, checked briefly an AmEx deal but really can't find a great bargain.

Anyone have any other ideas? Btw, we are driving so don't need any "package" type things, just hotel. And one w/a restaurant inside b/c we are g/f, c/f and can't eat just any old thing if ykwim.

[Ianthe]

I've had good luck with hotels.com , and motel 6 and motel 8 are cheap. Is there an extended stay place there? I know here they are $200/week with kitchenettes.

[Peony]

I've had good luck with hotels.com as well. And I've been known to book one hotel through them and then switch to another when the stay is a couple days away and the prices drop even more. I've scored some awesome last minute deals that way when a hotel just wants to off load the empty rooms they still have. Different hotels on there have difference policies, but usually if it's between 24-48 hours before that day, then there is no charge for canceling.

[ChetMC]

Skip the Web

I've also had luck not using the Internet. Often, small places that can't afford to pay the fees to get onto booking websites are cheaper. However, you need to get your hands on a local yellowpages (or check the one online, though I've sometimes found the paper one to be more complete) or very small, locally circulated tourist info.

[angelcollector1]

you could check roomsaver.com. We have used their books that are in Denny's and found great rates on the hotels in it. I'm always checking the reviews on trip advisor so I can be sure there are no reviews about bugs or that kind of stuff because I have issues with those things We've usually been able to find a hotel for about $50 a night in a decent hotel.

Good luck and have a fabulous time.

[Annikate]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I'll do some more searching. Oh, and thanks for the last minute tip Peony - I hadn't thought of that!

[RoadWorkAhead]

Try the Metro Extended Stay hotels around ATL. Dh stayed in one back in the fall while he worked up there...Very reasonable rates for a week even if you only needed 5 days and little kitchenettes (micro/fridge/stovetop). IIRC there were several locations on each of the sides of ATL

[Belleweather]

Here is what has been working REALLY well for me -- I use the website www.kayak.com. It's a search aggregator, which is different from places like hotwire and expedia because they search all the big hotel websites for the lowest price but send you directly to the website to book so that if you have a discount from something like AAA, or a business association or an internet coupon you've got a chance to enter that and further reduce the rate. My general plan goes like this:

1. Search Kayak to find the lowest rate available in the area I want for the dates I want.
2. Check their website for any advertised specials
3. Search the internet for any additional discount codes or coupons
4. Search google to see if there are small independent hostels/hotels that might have better rates.
5. If I don't find any, book the hotel I found on Kayak.

[SAHDS]

I also like to research my hotels on tripadvisor. I have logged at least 200 HOURS on that site just for planning our upcoming vacation. It's great and will give you great info when you do find some hotels you're interested in.

[BetsyS]

I have a friend that recently stayed at the Embassy Suites. She stayed at the one down by Centennial Olympic Park, which was a lot of fun, but there are several more in town depending on what part of town you want to be in. I think one in Buckhead near Lenox, as well as over at Perimeter Mall and the Galleria.

Anyway...it is a little pricey (though cheaper on weekends), but the big benefit is breakfast cooked to order, as well as a happy hour with snacks and drinks. That saved them some money on both ends of the day.

[Amila]

ORBITZ! I just booked a 4 night stay in chicago for $101/night. The hotel's average rate is usually $269.

[pigpokey]

I wonder if you can find a house swap with someone near where you want to be. A cheap vacation would be nice and you're in Orlando, right?

[Annikate]

Originally Posted by pigpokey

I wonder if you can find a house swap with someone near where you want to be. A cheap vacation would be nice and you're in Orlando, right?

Nope, about an hour from Orlando in the boonies.

I did find a 1/2 price deal on hotels.com though so thanks for that LizzyQ!

[RiverSky]

Travelzoo

For larger cities, I have found http://www.Travelzoo.com to be AMAZING at getting me the best deals. We have used it about 4 times (don't travel that much) and have been happy every single time.

http://www.sidestep.com is something that a friend recently referred to me.

[pigpokey]

Your boonies aren't Polk County, are they?

[brogansmomma]

I've used hotwire with great success. The only catch is that you don't know exactly which hotel it is until you book. You can choose from different star ratings though in a particular area so you'll know at least that much.

[ASusan]

We've always had good luck with Hotwire. A night at the Westin (4-star) for $75 recently.

[Annikate]

Originally Posted by pigpokey

Your boonies aren't Polk County, are they?

No, Lake.

[Amys1st]

I would check the different websites for local hotels/motels. Find out the amenities you need. Then call the hotel directly on the non 800 number and ask for reservations. 99% of the time, I have gotten a better deal just calling and dealing w a live person. Also, twice now, including the last time we were at a hotel, if you book thru one of the website places, they dink your room first. The person in front of me was bumped and had no room while we were just handed the keys. I asked them if they were on hotels.com or expedia and said I have seen that before. The person behind me said the same thing. Or the website places promise all kinds of things and when the guest gets to the motel/hotel they find out that is not so at all. So food for thought. An example, the hotel service website says the hotel will offer free breakfast everyday and they dont or will offer an "upgrade" and there is no upgrades to be had anyhow.

[pigpokey]

You can also tent camp cheaply inside Stone Mountain Park.
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/lod...g/camping.aspx

There are many many attractions there for kids.