the favorable exchange rates don't seem to translate into lower hotel rates in the UK
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 85
the favorable exchange rates don't seem to translate into lower hotel rates in the UK
I'm searching for hotel options for the first week of December. I visit the UK during the same week almost every year, so I have an idea what the rates at my favorite hotels are like during the same period.
However, the same hotels don't seem to have any lower rates as a result the more favorable exchange rates for American. I've try checking via the hotel's main worldwide reservation or by calling the hotels directly. When converted to USD, I'm not seeing savings for people like me flying from the US to the UK.
Or what am I missing?
However, the same hotels don't seem to have any lower rates as a result the more favorable exchange rates for American. I've try checking via the hotel's main worldwide reservation or by calling the hotels directly. When converted to USD, I'm not seeing savings for people like me flying from the US to the UK.
Or what am I missing?
#3
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,721
Well there may be various factors at play.
Firstly, the favourable exchange rate is likely leading to increased demand from foreign tourists, which in turn increases prices - cancelling out the rate benefit. Similarly, there may be higher demand from UK tourists favouring 'staycations' over foreign hols.
There may also be micro factors - e.g. major events that week in the areas you're looking at.
Have you considered Airbnb? There is an incredible amount of choice on there now, particularly in London.
Firstly, the favourable exchange rate is likely leading to increased demand from foreign tourists, which in turn increases prices - cancelling out the rate benefit. Similarly, there may be higher demand from UK tourists favouring 'staycations' over foreign hols.
There may also be micro factors - e.g. major events that week in the areas you're looking at.
Have you considered Airbnb? There is an incredible amount of choice on there now, particularly in London.
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,095
December is busy in London.
Overall London ADRs are down driven partly by a decline in occupancy. Come back in January for a cheap deal.
Overall London ADRs are down driven partly by a decline in occupancy. Come back in January for a cheap deal.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
Yep - spare a thought for those of us in the UK who are seeing London hotel prices rise in GBP terms.
I've had to trade down and I can only be grateful that there are some "innovative" players coming to the table (CitizenM, Z Hotels etc).
I've had to trade down and I can only be grateful that there are some "innovative" players coming to the table (CitizenM, Z Hotels etc).
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
If my two recent purchases on Amazon.co.uk are any guide, Brits should steel themselves for a nasty bout of inflation. One electric kettle went up 25% in the five days between September 21st when I ordered it and the 26th when I resubmitted the payment after Chase declined one on a false fraud alert. Out of curiosity, I checked the other kettle I had bought a few weeks earlier; it had gone up over ten percent.
Of course these are imports responding to the drop in Sterling. Hotel rates are priced locally and will, as you say, probably trend lower in response to weaker demand -- unless an onslaught of tourists makes up for the inevitable drop in business travelers.
Of course these are imports responding to the drop in Sterling. Hotel rates are priced locally and will, as you say, probably trend lower in response to weaker demand -- unless an onslaught of tourists makes up for the inevitable drop in business travelers.
#8
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,721
If my two recent purchases on Amazon.co.uk are any guide, Brits should steel themselves for a nasty bout of inflation. One electric kettle went up 25% in the five days between September 21st when I ordered it and the 26th when I resubmitted the payment after Chase declined one on a false fraud alert. Out of curiosity, I checked the other kettle I had bought a few weeks earlier; it had gone up over ten percent.
It's right that inflation is likely to rise over the coming months, but I don't think the price of your kettle from September 21-26 is evidence of that.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
I don't think that anecdote is anything to go by at all. Prices for such things fluctuate wildly on Amazon all the time, often related to 'sale' promos not just on Amazon but other retailers against which they auto-price.
It's right that inflation is likely to rise over the coming months, but I don't think the price of your kettle from September 21-26 is evidence of that.
It's right that inflation is likely to rise over the coming months, but I don't think the price of your kettle from September 21-26 is evidence of that.
Last edited by ajGoes; Nov 23, 2016 at 7:15 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 85
December is busy in London.
Overall London ADRs are down driven partly by a decline in occupancy. Come back in January for a cheap deal.
Overall London ADRs are down driven partly by a decline in occupancy. Come back in January for a cheap deal.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,464
I booked my December, London stay in anticipation of the Brexit "uncertainty". The GBP price has tripled, partially attributable to declining supply, I'm sure. But anytime you can buy a currency/exchange rate hedge for free, with a cancel-able reservation, do!
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
Continental types -- more so women -- coming to London for seasonal shopping is in overdrive since the GBP fell.
#13
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130