If you invested in hotels, now’s the time where you may need to hang on and ride the slow times, according to PKF Consulting trends forecast of 2009-2010. Already seeing a decline over last year’s hotel occupancy rates, the hospitality research firm is tracking the numbers and the news isn’t so great. According the California-based company, you may have to wait till the latter part of 2010 to see your investment turn around, or pick up speed, at minimum. A 7.8 percent drop in RevPAR for 2009 is the 5th biggest annual decline since 1930.
Some highlights of the report include: 1. The speed and severity of the downturns in employment and income continue to accelerate. 2. A 2.5 percent recduction in occupancy of hotel rooms in 2009. 3. The combination of above average net increases of supply occurring simultaneously with dramatic declines in demand is something that has not occurred in recent industry recessions. This is what makes this downturn so severe. If there is such a low demand for hotel rooms, why aren’t we seeing major cuts in pricing? The answers lie somewhere in the desire for hotels to maintain the profit margin, hoping not to further erode earnings with deep discounts. Sometimes that works, and sometimes the prices go down more just to keep staff employed and traffic in and out of the business.
When Hilton Hotels announced a renovation of their California resorts & properties recently, someone asked about the deals that should come along with this sort of hotel work that inconveniences travelers. We have stayed at some hotels undergoing such renovations (jackhammers, buzz saws, etc.) and the noise can be grindiing. Typically, Hilton hotels try to place guests in rooms away from the work and wing whenever possible. In our search to see if Hilton is offering any discounts this holiday season in California, here’s what we found on a few properties
BEST DEAL !!!
- Palm Springs Hilton has a room for $98/night! Winter is the finest season for Palm Desert’s Palm Springs vacation. You can enjoy sunshine that’s nearly guaranteed, and beautiful, shirt-sleeve climate. Palm Spring comes alive in the winter. What a perfect time for a trip to this Southern California playground.
- Anaheim’s Hilton Hotel is next to the Anaheim Convention Center and across the street from Disneyland (must walk about 1 - 2 blocks to enter the park). On Dec. 15-17, 2008, we found rooms for $129/night.This hotel is one of the best locations for any conventions you may be attending. But with Downtown Disney and Disneyland at your door, don’t miss the excitement across the street at the entertainment center of Orange County and Southern California.
- Garden Grove Hilton is offering rooms for $123/night. This hotel is about a mile or two from Disneyland. You can save a few bucks by staying here, and there are buses to take you to the theme park.
- Napa’s Hilton Hotel has rooms for $123/night. Awesome! Do you need to purchase wine gifts for the holidays? Well get in your car or on a plane and get thee to Napa. It’s the nation’s premier wine sampling mecca.
- Monterey Hilton Hotel is entirely no-smoking and offers its rooms at $134/night. Everybody loves the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and winter (off-season) weekdays are the ideal time to visit and see it. Plus, the holiday shopping at Cannery Row shops is fun. Then head over to downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea for some exquisite dining.
- La Jolla Hilton is located on the greens of the Torrey Pines Golf Course overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Golfers can’t beat this deal, we don’t believe. Stay for $149/night. Next door, the beautiful Lodge at Torrey Pines is costing double that amount.
- Carlsbad Hilton across the street from the beach and near Legoland has rooms for $169/night. See the holiday-themed Christams tree made of Lego blocks. There’s so much fun for all ages, but kids are king at Legoland.
- Huntington Beach’s Waterfront Hilton is $199/night. Wander down on the beach path to Surf City Nights (Tuesdays) and see Santa out there meeting kids with his merry, ho-ho-ho. Then wander the HB Pier for some beautiful ocean views of your own.
- San Francisco’s Hilton has a room (2 beds) for $199/night. In the heart of downtown shopping, who doesn’t love an old-fashioned, somewhat chilly holiday (take a coat, you SoCal folks)? Ice rinks, shows, concerts, and our favorite park and wharf with boat rides (take a holiday Hornblower Dinner Cruise in the bay), are what you get in SF.
Best Western Shorecliff Lodge around $80!
In search for great beach hotel rates for a winter vacation, we’d hoped to take advantage of the global warming (warmer winters) in California we were certain the hotel room rates would keep dropping as the recession news was released today. But as we check hotel prices, we looked to our favorite hidden spots and found great pricing. However, at some of the nicer Southern California beach hotels, they just don’t seem to be dropping rates. Why? Not everyone is hurting apparently. Take advantage of the deals we discovered.
GREAT !!!
Pismo Beach’s Best Western Shorecliff Lodge has room rates around $80 with partial ocean views. Book it.
GOOD $$
San Diego’s Catamaran Resort - On the beach with tropical themes, this hotel offers non-bay view rooms at $129. That’s not bad!
MEDIUM $$$
Half Moon Bay’s Ritz Carlton - Beach location for $259. We grabbed it because you’ll seldom stay at Ritz at the beach that amount.
Huntington Beach Hyatt Resort - Beaches & partial ocean views for $219.
La Jolla’s Lodge at Torrey Pines - is offering $264.50 /night. For this place, that’s a deal!
Oxnard’s Embassy Suites, Mandalay Beach - Courtyard rooms at $149,, and partial view rooms at $204, standard for them.
HIGH $$$$
Disney’s Grand Californian - At one of America’s favorite theme parks (Disneyland), the top hotel, room rates start at $360 on a weekday.
Laguna Beach’s Montage Resort - On the beach, there’s no recession at this hotel where prices begin at $495/night on a Monday.
Marina del Rey’s Ritz Carlton - Holding strong at $389 on a week night, there are no deals here.