Competition in the UK hotel industry is certainly hotting up! With hotels trying to grab as much of the market share as possible, the myriad of special offers available can sometimes be overwhelming. Getting the best deal for your money can be a difficult process. Follow these quick tips to help you get the most out of your stay.

Type of Hotel
Consider the type of hotel that you are going to stay in. Business hotels will typically be more expensive Sunday through to Thursday and offer very good rates for the weekend. Hotels in holiday destinations will show the opposite trend. Bag yourself a bargain by opting for a hotel type at the time when it is least busy.

Don’t always assume that single rooms are cheaper if you are travelling alone. When searching for hotels, always look at the price of double rooms as well; most hotels have more of these double rooms available and are, therefore, able to offer better deals on these types of rooms.

Advanced Booking or Last Minute Deal?
There is no set rule when it comes to getting the best possible price. Sometimes, booking in advance will secure you the best deal; at other times it pays to wait until the last minute. As a general rule, if you are looking at a specific hotel or hotels in an area where rooms are in short supply, then booking in advance will generally give you the best option.

On the other hand if you are flexible in terms of hotels, amenities and even location, you will almost certainly be able to bag a fantastic last minute bargain.

Time of Year
Certain times of year are more expensive than others. If you have a choice and are flexible, then it pays to travel outside of these times. For example, school holidays, Christmas, New Year and Bank Holidays will almost always be more expensive. Areas that are known as holiday destinations will undoubtedly see increased prices during the summer break. If you have to travel at a peak time of year, do a ‘reverse amenity’ search. This means finding hotels that do not have the amenities that most people would be looking for. For example, if you are trying to travel during school holidays look for hotels without child-friendly facilities.

Hotel Loyalty Schemes
Many hotel chains have loyalty schemes in place. Even if you book through a broker or a third party website you can often enjoy the benefits of these loyalty rewards when you arrive. Make sure you tell reception, ideally before you arrive, as this will put you in line for any possible upgrades.

Always find out if the hotel operating the loyalty scheme offers special deals such as cheaper third nights if two nights are purchased. Other common deals may involve the hotel restaurant and discounts in the hotel spa.

Typically, there will be more in the way of loyalty options with the larger chain hotels, but this doesn’t mean that smaller independent hotels will not offer you anything. It certainly pays to ask!

Bagging a bargain is all about doing the opposite to everyone else, choosing the least popular time of year or choosing a business hotel at a weekend. By stepping away from the norm, you are much more likely to find yourself getting a better experience for your money.