How To Negotiate with a Hotel

There are many reasons why you might want to negotiate the price of a hotel room or hotel services.

In the current economy, a lot of people are choosing to take "staycations" which means they are going to stay in their own city or in surrounding towns rather than go out of town which might entail travel expenses as well as higher hotel, meal and entertainment expenses.  A hotel in your hometown...or one close by...might easily negotiate a lower price for you and your family because you are a resident of the area.  Many hotels are hurting financially, and welcome local residents to their facility.  Some hotels even have reduced rates for locals but that does not mean you cannot negotiate with a hotel for a lesser price.

For instance, if you reserve a room in the hotel for a weekday stay rather than for a weekend, the hotel will most likely be open to reducing the price.  Weekiends are when hotels are the busiest and therefore, don't necessarily have excess rooms to fill.  During the week, off season, is a great time to visit some of your local parks, beaches, entertainment venues and restaurants.

Another way you can negotiate with a hotel is if all they have left are smoking rooms and you want a non-smoking room.  Often, the hotel with give you a steep discount if you accept the smoking room. Be sure to bring your can of room freshener because these rooms can sometimes have a very smokey smell.  However, I have stayed in smoking rooms and received up to a 30% discount on a five day stay and the room was not that bad. Smokers, for the most part, take their habit outside as a courtesy to fellow travelers.

If you are looking to negotiate with a hotel for a business event, there are lots of options. Again, have your meeting in an off season when the hotel is looking to fill rooms and conference centers.  Budget what you can afford and ask for twenty percent off of that price.  Often, the hotel will meet you in the middle.  The more services you wish to incorporate when negotiating with the hotel, the more likely the proprieter will be to offer you a discount.

People skills are essential in negotiating with a hotel.  Do not try to bully or bluff your way through when attempting to get a better price or package deal.  After all, the hotelier and his/her staff have to make a living too.