Would you rather find a package deal than worry about the details of your trip? Hotel packages come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Always start with Groupon or another daily deal site to find the very best — albeit limited — deals. Other websites like Trivago, Expedia, and Kayak also offer inexpensive hotel package deals, but be sure to look around and compare all your options to find the best deal for you.
Here are just a couple of the best package deals we rounded up:
Dublin, London, Paris Trip
Spend 9 days in 3 of the best European cities! Travel and hotels are included in this limited time deal offer for under $1000 per person.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Enjoy 4-6 nights at an all-inclusive stay at the Viva Wyndham resort in Puerto Plata! This package deal covers the flight, all meals, and provides unlimited drinks in the sunny Caribbean for $500-$700 per person.
Las Vegas
Party it up in Las Vegas with a number of different offers and packages available. A few nights at hotel and airfare can add up to just $300-$400 out of your pocket. You’ll have plenty of cash leftover to take to the slot machines!
New York
Book yourself 4 nights in one of the many famed downtown NYC hotels for $700-$900. You’ll get to walk the streets of the “city that never sleeps” with a variety of restaurants and shows at your disposal.
Top US Hotel Chains
There has never been a better range of options when it comes to hotels. Each chain can offer you a different experience as well as varying benefits and prices. Below are the top 5 US hotel chains for each price level.
The Ritz-Carlton
Considered the best luxury hotel chain by American travelers. Its name remains synonymous with affluence and extravagance. It has hotels worldwide that offer only the best of amenities.
Omni Hotels and Resorts
Rated as the best “upper upscale” hotel chain by American travelers. This hotel chain is located only in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, but stands out with the unique programs and amenities it offers, particularly to families with kids.
Hyatt Place
Selected as the best upscale hotel chain by American travelers. The Hyatt offers high quality yet not quite luxurious accommodations across the US. It meets all your basic needs and a little bit more than your typical midscale hotel with free breakfast, pools, fitness centers, etc.
Drury Hotels
Chosen as the best upper midscale hotel chain by American travelers. Drury sets itself apart from its competition with its additional perks. It wins its customers over with its free evening snacks and drinks, something not many other hotels offer.
Wingate by Wyndham
Regarded as the best midscale hotel chain by American travelers. Wingate remains a significant step ahead of its competitors with excellent customer satisfaction ratings. It prides itself on serving all the basic needs of its customers and a little bit more.
Hotel Rewards Programs
Just about every American hotel chain recognizes the importance of rewards programs, but not all of them are created equal. Some are better suited for business travelers, while others are more beneficial to leisure seekers. Check out the following 4 top US hotel rewards programs for this year:
Marriott
The Marriott Rewards program offers an opportunity for business and leisure travelers to earn points by using its credit card on purchases, traveling with affiliate airlines, and staying at their hotels. They are one of the most widespread hotel chains with locations across the globe and will give you a free night after booking four nights consecutively at many participating hotels.
Wyndham
The Wyndham Rewards programs is perfect for both leisure and business travelers who are looking to vacation in commonly visited locations in North America, Europe, and Asia. Earn points by staying in one of this group’s numerous properties. It is very easy to earn an extra night with this rewards program and you can use your card to earn points on hotels, car rentals, and flights.
Best Western
Joining the Best Western Rewards program is another way to earn points toward a stay at one of the company’s 4,000 hotels in over 100 countries. Budget-minded travelers will appreciate this program best. Points can also be used toward air miles and earned through everyday purchases using the Best Western rewards card.
Club Carlson
Although this hotel chain doesn’t boast as many locations as the other 3 programs on this list, Club Carlson offers great rewards for travelers to large cities in the U.S. and Europe. You can use the Carlson Rewards card to earn points on everyday items that can be put towards room upgrades, movie rentals, and flights with a large variety of airline partners.
Save Money On Hotels
Finding ways to keep money in your pocket doesn’t have to be difficult. There are several different strategies to save money on hotels aside from scouring different travel sites for the best deal. Here are four simple methods you can use:
Use Employer Discount
Oftentimes, the company you or one of your family members work for offers steep discounts at certain hotel chains they have partnerships with. International Hotels Group employees and their relatives can receive up to 40 percent discounts on hotels worldwide.
Hotel Bidding War
The point of this strategy is to try and get a different hotel to offer you the same or a lower price than the cheapest priced hotel. In order to do this successfully, book a refundable room at the most economical hotel and then call up another hotel in the area. Tell them where you booked and what the price is and then ask them if they’d be willing to give you a better deal.
Use Non-US Sites
Not every hotel search engine contains all the best deals at every location. This is especially true when it comes to traveling abroad. There are a number of foreign search tools such as Momondo, Escapio, and Hotelopia with different offers.
Learn the Lingo
If you decide to call a hotel and book a room, make sure that you are aware of the hotel language. Asking for the “best available deal” will not get you the cheapest room, but rather the most discounted price from the original offer. Ask instead for the “cheapest nonrefundable rate.”
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