SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 30, 2015) - No Fourth of July plans? No problem! HotelTonight, the leading last-minute hotel booking app, analyzed historical and trending hotel pricing data to uncover unparalleled deals still available for a quick weekend getaway. While hotel prices are trending upward in the U.S. across the travel industry -- up an average of 11 percent year over year (YOY), with the average daily room rate for the July Fourth weekend at $236 -- HotelTonight offers the best values out there, and has uncovered the best deals to make a last-minute getaway come true.
"This summer is shaping up to be the busiest season in years -- and hotels are responding with rates across all booking apps and websites that are significantly higher than previous years, some up to 20 percent more," said Sam Shank, co-founder and CEO of HotelTonight. "But savvy travelers realize there are significant savings to be had by embracing their spontaneous side and booking closer to their check-in date. We have seen a 50 percent rise in last-minute hotel bookings for this upcoming holiday weekend compared to last year."
Among the great rates found on HotelTonight this Fourth of July weekend are rooms in Las Vegas -- a steal compared to last year, with a 39 percent decrease YOY (average HotelTonight or HT rate of $280). Travelers looking for a great experience for an even lower price can also find deals this weekend in some of summer's top destinations, such as:
- White River Junction, Vt. -- average HT rate $134, 34 percent decrease YOY
- This quirky, gallery-packed small town is great for those wanting an arty escape
- Berkshires, Mass. -- average HT rate $180, 29 percent decrease YOY
- The perfect escape for stunning scenery, live music and fireworks
- Tampa Bay, Fla. -- average HT rate $180, 20 percent decrease YOY
- Great for a beachy 4th!
- Poconos, Pa. -- average HT rate $147, 17 percent decrease YOY
- An outdoor enthusiast's dream holiday weekend
- Durango, Colo. -- average HT rate $215, 14 percent decrease YOY
- Outdoorsy and full of historic charm, for a low-key holiday escape
- Chapel Hill, N.C. -- average HT rate $108, 12 percent decrease YOY
- With students gone for the summer, the best restaurants have shorter lines!
- Williamsburg, Va. -- average HT rate $153, 12 percent decrease YOY
- What better place to celebrate America's birthday?
- What better place to celebrate America's birthday?
For those looking for more inspiration on where to get away to this July 4th, HotelTonight's new 'Escape' feature highlights the best driving-distance getaways for the weekend ahead or for that very night, plus HotelTonight's 20 most-popular destinations. Find 'Escape' by tapping the globe tab or swiping right when you open the app. Fourth of July travelers can also score extra discounts on multiple-night bookings this holiday long weekend. Promo code PATRIOT gets bookers $30 off a 2-night stay (with a $200 minimum spend), while those staying 3 or more nights can get $45 off (with a $250 minimum spend) with promo code PRESIDENT.
Additional inspiration -- and savings -- can be found with GeoRates, HotelTonight's exclusive location-specific discounts that provide unprecedented savings not found through any other travel app or website, with additional discounts of up to 40 percent off HotelTonight's already-discounted rates. Find them for same-day bookings after 12-noon when you're near a hotel (look for even lower rates after 6pm), or any time you're in a place hotels are looking to get more bookings from, like airports, train stations, or cities outside the hotel's location. While average daily rates are up across the industry in most of the traditional Fourth of July destinations this year, patriotic travelers can keep the spirit alive (and some green in their wallet) by taking advantage of HotelTonight's GeoRates, including:
| City | Average HotelTonight Rate | Avg. additional GeoRate discount after noon (off HT's already-discounted rates) | Avg. additional GeoRate discount after 6pm (off HT's already-discounted rates) | ||
| New York City | $331 | 9% | 36% | ||
| Washington D.C. | $234 | 13% | 16% | ||
| Baltimore | $147 | 13% | 28% | ||
| Boston | $202 | 15% | 24% | ||
| Philadelphia | $185 | 16% | 20% | ||
Other great GeoRate discounts travelers can take advantage of this weekend include:
| City | Average Daily Rate | Avg. additional GeoRate discount after noon (off HT's already-discounted rates) | Avg. additional GeoRate discount after 6pm (off HT's already-discounted rates) | ||
| Orlando | $136 | 19% | 40% | ||
| Pittsburgh | $130 | 29% | 39% | ||
| Niagara Falls | $455 | 19% | 39% | ||
| Denver | $168 | 35% | 38% | ||
| Phoenix | $94 | 14% | 37% | ||
| Tampa | $122 | 24% | 37% | ||
| Paris | $246 | 16% | 34% | ||
| London | $186 | 22% | 33% | ||
| Miami | $168 | 12% | 21% | ||
| San Francisco | $239 | 12% | 18% | ||
For more information on HotelTonight, visit www.hoteltonight.com, or follow HotelTonight on Facebook (HotelTonight), Twitter (@HotelTonight), Instagram (HotelTonight) or Snapchat (HotelTonight).
How HotelTonight Works
- Book rooms on HotelTonight for tonight or up to a week out, at over 15,000 hotels in more than 500 destinations across the globe.
- Hotel rooms can be easily booked via the app in less than 10 seconds -- just three taps and a swipe from app launch to completed booking.
- All hotels are vetted by the HotelTonight team, given a style category (like Basic, Hip or Luxe) and illustrated by mobile-optimized hotel photos.
- As the check-in date approaches and rooms remain unsold, hotels drop their rates. HotelTonight plays matchmaker between these hotels and guests who are looking for a great deal at a great hotel.
- HotelTonight also offers exclusive, localized rates that are customized to a specific city or neighborhood, offering even greater discounts to spur spontaneous adventures.
Methodology
To compile the list, HotelTonight combed through pricing data added by hotel partners and compared insights from June 2014 to June 2015 and July 2014 to July 2015 to determine Fourth of July price fluctuations and destinations most advantageous to travelers. Pricing includes HotelTonight's proprietary Localized Offers, which offer significant savings -- up to 40 percent better than any other travel site.
About HotelTonight
Founded in 2010, HotelTonight is a mobile app for booking hand-selected hotels at exclusively low prices, from tonight to up to 7 days in advance. HotelTonight helps consumers plan less and live more, by offering incredible convenience and amazing value at hotels vetted by the HT team. For hotels, HotelTonight is a strategic partner for filling rooms that would otherwise remain empty. HotelTonight is currently available in more than 500 destinations across the globe. Based in San Francisco, California, HotelTonight is backed by top venture firms including Coatue Management, GGV Capital, U.S. Venture Partners, Accel Partners, Battery Ventures and First Round Capital and leading travel-industry pioneers. Visit www.hoteltonight.com for more information and to download the free app.