So the summer is here.. and school is out .. and the wife wants a vacation .. just because it is the summer. But with summer rates or what we called peak periods – the hotels are asking for an arm and a leg for your room rates. When one usually pays like $85 + taxes for a room other than the summer period.. they are now asking for $155. Almost 50% more.. ??!!!?? Now you asked yourself, it is like the wife choosing Black Friday to go shopping.
So you asked .. what is the difference right..?? it’s the same room, same amenities.. same location. So you try to speak with the Front Desk Manager.. and she wouldn’t budge. So no vacation..?? Well.. the peak period is actually the only money making season for the hotel, therefore all hotels charges premium.. and some will even block some rooms away.. for their VIP guests. Does it make any difference if you booked earlier or later..?? nope not exactly but having said that.. if you are a regular guest at the hotel or you have a corporate rate with the hotel, you might be able to negotiate for a better rate.
Back home in Asia, if you know another hotelier, your chances of a long staying rate is definitely a plus but don’t forget the front desk manager needs to meet her quota and the sales team needs to make sure that they are selling their rooms like hot cakes… else they are answerable to the share holders. So when it comes to peak periods.. or the summer rate.. you pretty much need to fork out that amount. But if i managed to negotiate anything better this summer.. i’ll be sure to let you know.