Interesting answer I get from hotel managers when I call about the rates now
#46
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA PE, HH Gold
Posts: 1,080
@mikebor: whould you mind calling the general manager of my favourite Bora-Bora resort? The still want $ 900 a night for an over water Bungalow. At a 20% occupancy rate! I understand that they want the "riff raff" like me staying away from them - pure discrimination!
What you're describing is done by about 95% Hotels worldwide. Ever been to Shenzen/China? Even in the most quiet months the chain hotels over there charging more then any local can afford - for a reason.
And food for thought: if your hotel is lowering the rate to $ 59 what about those that could only afford $20 a night?
What you're describing is done by about 95% Hotels worldwide. Ever been to Shenzen/China? Even in the most quiet months the chain hotels over there charging more then any local can afford - for a reason.
And food for thought: if your hotel is lowering the rate to $ 59 what about those that could only afford $20 a night?
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
A basic rule of hotel economics is you never lower the room rate to buy in occupancy. Occupancy can change quickly but ADRs are more sticky, so when occupancy shoots back up, you can be stuck with lowers rates, thus hurting your RevPAR.
#48
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
I noticed this thread yesterday. I was walking around the Georgetown neighborhood of DC this afternoon, practicing social distancing of course, and thought of it. Setting the health issue aside for a minute, let's say I wanted to have a local vacation today and stay at the RC in Georgetown. Even with a fantastic discount, I'd have no incentive to stay as there is very little to do.
I am more curious whether or not some properties will have sales when this situation ends to incentivize folks to travel. Or will demand be so great, because everyone is cooped up, and rates will rise?
I am more curious whether or not some properties will have sales when this situation ends to incentivize folks to travel. Or will demand be so great, because everyone is cooped up, and rates will rise?
Last edited by lamphs; Mar 28, 2020 at 4:53 pm
#50
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,179
If hotels lower their rates right now that would actually be irresponsible because it may encourage people to travel, thus help the virus to spread. Hotels should only be used by those who must travel, those who need to be in quarantine, health / key workers etc.
#51
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: STL, MO-US and A , SWA A-List, Marriott LTTE, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,883
I just looked at rates at a Courtyard for the last week of May and it is double the highest price I’ve paid there the previous dozen or so stays in the last two years. Same thing in middle of June. I get keeping it the same but double?
#52
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
Perhaps their revenue magagent prioritising ADR over occupancy rate or maybe there is less competition?
#53
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 1,243
Appreciate all the replies and I agree with some on here and their thoughts. But when I had 2 high level managers tell me straight up they don't want "the bad element" coming there which would happen if they dropped the rate a lot, well you can read between the lines. It ain't rocket science.
I'm in a city right now where there are a large population of african americans. I know what both of those managers meant. And I just think it's wrong.
I'm in a city right now where there are a large population of african americans. I know what both of those managers meant. And I just think it's wrong.
4* hotel
- Requires credit card
- Allows room charges in excess of the authorized credit hold
- Smoking not allowed
- Generally quite and peaceful
- Smoking
- Does not require credit cards
- No room charges
- Prostitution is rampant
- Drug use by guests is rampant
- People hanging outside their room
#54
Join Date: May 2003
Location: LCY
Programs: SQ Krisflyer, QR Privilege Club, MB LT Plt (1K+ nights thx MB)
Posts: 1,038
I noticed this thread yesterday. I was walking around the Georgetown neighborhood of DC this afternoon, practicing social distancing of course, and thought of it. Setting the health issue aside for a minute, let's say I wanted to have a local vacation today and stay at the RC in Georgetown. Even with a fantastic discount, I'd have no incentive to stay as there is very little to do.
I am more curious whether or not some properties will have sales when this situation ends to incentivize folks to travel. Or will demand be so great, because everyone is cooped up, and rates will rise?
I am more curious whether or not some properties will have sales when this situation ends to incentivize folks to travel. Or will demand be so great, because everyone is cooped up, and rates will rise?
#56
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
I do have a contrarian scenario to share.
In mid March I arrived in my hotel at NYC, having booked an 18 night stay where rates were generally $130-190 (differed by the day). On my day of arrival, the coronavirus situation hit the fan and Marriott had just announced its flexible cancellation policy up to 24 hours before checkin. I discovered the rates had been slashed to $70-110 range. After mentioning this to one of the managers, the hotel was kind enough to change my rates to the lower ones - even when they were not obliged to, and I had already checked in, furthermore it was a non refundable rate. I was grateful.
Didn’t notice any perceptible difference in the type of crowd who stayed there, in fact the crowd very quickly thinned out within the first week.
In mid March I arrived in my hotel at NYC, having booked an 18 night stay where rates were generally $130-190 (differed by the day). On my day of arrival, the coronavirus situation hit the fan and Marriott had just announced its flexible cancellation policy up to 24 hours before checkin. I discovered the rates had been slashed to $70-110 range. After mentioning this to one of the managers, the hotel was kind enough to change my rates to the lower ones - even when they were not obliged to, and I had already checked in, furthermore it was a non refundable rate. I was grateful.
Didn’t notice any perceptible difference in the type of crowd who stayed there, in fact the crowd very quickly thinned out within the first week.
#57
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
I do have a contrarian scenario to share.
In mid March I arrived in my hotel at NYC, having booked an 18 night stay where rates were generally $130-190 (differed by the day). On my day of arrival, the coronavirus situation hit the fan and Marriott had just announced its flexible cancellation policy up to 24 hours before checkin. I discovered the rates had been slashed to $70-110 range. After mentioning this to one of the managers, the hotel was kind enough to change my rates to the lower ones - even when they were not obliged to, and I had already checked in, furthermore it was a non refundable rate. I was grateful.
Didn’t notice any perceptible difference in the type of crowd who stayed there, in fact the crowd very quickly thinned out within the first week.
In mid March I arrived in my hotel at NYC, having booked an 18 night stay where rates were generally $130-190 (differed by the day). On my day of arrival, the coronavirus situation hit the fan and Marriott had just announced its flexible cancellation policy up to 24 hours before checkin. I discovered the rates had been slashed to $70-110 range. After mentioning this to one of the managers, the hotel was kind enough to change my rates to the lower ones - even when they were not obliged to, and I had already checked in, furthermore it was a non refundable rate. I was grateful.
Didn’t notice any perceptible difference in the type of crowd who stayed there, in fact the crowd very quickly thinned out within the first week.
This is exactly what my post #7 is referring to.
Lowering the rate is not going increase new bookings by much but it will just end up reducing revenue on current bookings.
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,038
Appreciate all the replies and I agree with some on here and their thoughts. But when I had 2 high level managers tell me straight up they don't want "the bad element" coming there which would happen if they dropped the rate a lot, well you can read between the lines. It ain't rocket science.
I'm in a city right now where there are a large population of african americans. I know what both of those managers meant. And I just think it's wrong.
I'm in a city right now where there are a large population of african americans. I know what both of those managers meant. And I just think it's wrong.
#59
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: san antonio, tx
Posts: 141
Several Hotels I know tried to lower rates more than $20 or so, but it didn't help any. Some of it depends on what their compset is doing, but usually you can't increase demand with a lower rate, if there isn't demand to begin with.
With little revenue coming in, F&B outlets have closed, except for limited room service.
Once you have low rates out there, it's just that much harder/longer before you can raise them back up.
With little revenue coming in, F&B outlets have closed, except for limited room service.
Once you have low rates out there, it's just that much harder/longer before you can raise them back up.