Here is a sampling of the best rates
Real Simple was quoted on-line
and over the phone for rooms at three hotels across the country.
The potential savings were greatest for higher-end accommodations,
like the Plaza, in New York City. Discounts on more modest lodgings
tended to be, well, more modest. And as we found out, asking for a
better rate never hurts.
HOTEL PLAZA HOTEL
LOCATION New York City
TYPE OF ROOM Two adults, queen bed, "interior view"
HOTEL ITSELF $294 (212-759-3000)
CHAIN'S 1-800 $294 (Fairmont, 800-257-7544)
HOTEL WEBSITE $294
www.fairmont.comEXPEDIA www.expedia.com $289
HOTELS.COM (guarantees lowest price or will refund the difference; $20 for
change or cancellation)
$219
ORBITZ www.orbitz.com $234
TRAVEL.COM $219
TRAVELOCITY www.travelocity.com; $20 for change or cancellation)
$219
AAA.COM (membership required)
Not found
TRAVEL AGENT $285
HOTEL WESTIN SEATTLE
LOCATION Seattle
TYPE OF ROOM Two adults, "heavenly bed," twin sleeper sofa, "heavenly bath," no
Puget Sound view
HOTEL ITSELF $159 (206-728-1000)
CHAIN'S 1-800 $159 (Starwood, 800-937-8461)
HOTEL WEBSITE $165
www.westin.com EXPEDIA $160
HOTELS.COM $169
ORBITZ $159
TRAVEL.COM $169
TRAVELOCITY $169
AAA.COM $169
TRAVEL AGENT $169
HOTEL HOLIDAY INN CITY CENTRE
LOCATION Sioux Falls, South Dakota
TYPE OF ROOM Two adults, king bed, twin sofa bed
HOTEL ITSELF $89 (full plan with a $10 breakfast coupon per person) or $79
("Great Rate"; 605-339-2000)
CHAIN'S 1-800 $79 (InterContinental, 800-465-4329)
HOTEL WEBSITE $84
www.ichotelsgroup.com EXPEDIA $79
HOTELS.COM $79
ORBITZ $84
TRAVEL.COM $79
TRAVELOCITY $79
AAA.COM $79
TRAVEL AGENT $79
