CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To help save a ho-ho-whole lot of money on holiday travel, CheapTickets.com® is encouraging travelers to look beyond the stars and not rule out two- or three-star accommodations as they make lodging plans for the most wonderful time of the year. CheapTickets.com found that while the majority of Americans tend to gravitate towards four- and five-star hotels, 1 choosing a three-star property in the holiday season’s top destinations can result in savings up to 33 percent compared to a destination’s average daily hotel price. 2
“While two- and three-star properties may not have extensive onsite services or dining options, many offer a really great experience, some with charming settings and overall excellent service,” said Justine McDonald, a CheapTickets.com travel expert. “The key to finding these exceptional two- and three-star options is looking for hidden gems that are vetted and highly recommended by fellow travelers, ensuring high value and alleviating fear of the unknown.”
Finding these surprisingly beautiful, cheap and comfortable hidden gems is easier than ever on CheapTickets.com as customers can filter search results by properties’ star ratings and then sort by guest rating, resulting in a list of options that both fit their budget and come highly rated. In addition to reviews and comments, CheapTickets.com also lists a “recommended by” percentage, where travelers can see whether or not customers would recommend the property to a friend.
CHEAPTICKETS.COM POPULAR HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS AND AVERAGE HOTEL PRICES 3
| Destination | Average Daily Hotel Cost | 3-Star Average Daily Hotel Cost | Percentage Savings | ||||||
| Las Vegas, Nev. | $ | 115 | $ | 77 | 33 | % | |||
| Los Angeles, Calif. | $ | 208 | $ | 181 | 13 | % | |||
| San Diego, Calif. | $ | 158 | $ | 137 | 13 | % | |||
| Miami, Fla. | $ | 304 | $ | 212 | 30 | % | |||
| Chicago, Ill. | $ | 134 | $ | 122 | 9 | % | |||
CHEAPTICKETS.COM TOP PICKS FOR HIDDEN GEM TWO- AND THREE-STAR HOTELS To make planning travel even easier (and cheaper!), here are CheapTickets.com editors’ top picks for awesome two- and three-star hotels in some of the holiday season’s top destinations. See more hidden gem recommendations on the CheapTickets.com Blog.
Las Vegas: Excalibur Sample average daily hotel price: $53 4 Percentage of customers who would recommend: 77% This castle-like resort on the Las Vegas Strip has something for every member of the family to enjoy, including a casino, an arcade room, a full-service spa, an outdoor pool and poolside bar, seven restaurants, three bars/lounges and two cafes. Don't miss the medieval joust dinner show!
Los Angeles: The Redondo Beach Hotel Sample average daily hotel price: $182 Percentage of customers who would recommend: 95%
From complimentary Wi-Fi to free continental breakfast daily, The Redondo Beach Hotel is all about the little extras. Monday through Thursday evenings, visitors can even mingle at a hosted wine reception. The hotel boasts many rooms with marina views, and even has a bike rental station on-site for those who want to explore the nearby beaches like a true Southern Californian.
San Diego: Bay Club Hotel and Marina Sample average daily hotel price: $117 Percentage of customers who would recommend: 90%
Located on Shelter Island, The Bay Club Hotel & Marina is a waterfront property just 4 miles from Old Town. This property offers stunning views of the San Diego Bay, downtown skyline, Point Loma, and of course, its private marina.
Miami: The Vagabond Hotel Sample average daily hotel price: $176 Percentage of customers who would recommend: 95%
The chicly retro Vagabond Hotel is within the vicinity of Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Port of Miami and the Bal Harbour Shops. Harkening back to a bygone era, the classic property with a modern twist offers an outdoor pool (plus a poolside bar), and a top notch fitness center.
Chicago: Acme Hotel Company Sample average daily hotel price: $88 Percentage of customers who would recommend: 100%
This hip boutique hotel close to the Magnificent Mile offers a gym, free morning coffee, funky modern rooms (think giant zipper murals on the walls and lip decals on the bathroom mirrors) and an on-site lounge serving craft cocktails.
1 Survey fielded by CheapTickets.com to 502 adults via Google Consumer Surveys on October 27, 2016. 2 Savings calculated by comparing the average price of all CheapTickets.com three-star standalone hotel bookings in a given destination to the average price of all CheapTickets.com standalone hotel bookings in the same destination for travel between Dec. 22 and Dec. 28, 2016. 3 Top destinations determined by standalone room night booking volume on CheapTickets.com for travel between Dec. 22 and Dec. 28, 2016. 4 All sample rates shown were accurate and available on CheapTickets.com on Nov. 8, 2016 for trips from Dec. 22 and Dec. 28, 2016 and may not represent current prices because our real-time pricing booking engine is constantly updating prices and availability. Hotel prices shown are for two adults (not including applicable taxes and fees), and will vary by selected day of arrival and departure, length of stay, hotel selected, hotel room category, and availability.
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