There are at least two strategies for shopping trips to smaller cities. One is to shop the hotel special promotions. First, establish baseline prices using a standard search engine. Then, look for promotions, which are becoming more plentiful as business travel decreases. Many business-class hotel chains are offering attractive deals aimed at holiday shoppers.
The other plan of attack is to bid for a room in the area of interest.
Hotel Chain Offers
This is not an exhaustive list of every chain that offers holiday rates. It is a cross-section of what is available. Consult your favorite hotel's Web site, and shop around extensively.
Kayak.com maintains a database of deals on airfare, hotels and car rentals. They are arranged chronologically, with the latest news at the top. Read the fine print carefully.
Marriott Pure Magic package deals during the holidays include free meals and special rates good through Jan. 4.
Sheraton Weekend Breakfast Package includes discounted weekend room rates, breakfast and a 4 p.m. checkout.
Many hotel chains offer deals for individual properties adjacent to major shopping areas. Hampton Inn and Suites is an example: Their property near Atlanta's Galleria offers holiday room rates from $134 that include a $25 gift card and a packet of coupons for mall merchants. Offer is good until Dec. 26.
Check for hotels near your intended destination. Chances are you'll find someone catering to the shopping crowds from out-of-town.
Bid for a Bargain
Priceline carves up most cities of any size into zones. You bid on a zone and a level of quality (one to five stars), with free rebids if you'll change either variable.
Don't shy away from the downtown zones in your strategy. Again, they will be trying to fill rooms business travelers once frequented. Consult BidForTravel.com to see what other bidders have landed in each city.
Hotwire.com gives you city-by-city choices for low-cost car rental, hotel and airfare. Many of the choices are for cities like Austin, TX, where four-star downtown rooms are $68 USD, other locations as low as $28. Remember that Hotwire shows you the price, but not the details of your purchase until after the transaction is completed.
