Now is a good time to find hotel values in several areas of the country. That's because it is shoulder season in many of these places -- the period when prices drop because the peak season is over (or has yet to come). Also, the crowds dwindle in shoulder season and the weather still tends to be good, which makes it a great time to travel.
Bob Diener, co-founder and president of Getaroom.com, says that he has noticed five places, in particular, where hotels rates have been marked down significantly from peak season rates. So if you're looking for a domestic getaway, consider these locales:
1. Las Vegas. Diener says that Las Vegas is the number-one value in the country for hotels because it can't keep its more than 150,000 rooms filled, especially midweek. Because supply greatly exceeds demand, you can find suites in upscale hotels on The Strip for $79 a night on Getaroom.com. At the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's site, LasVegas.com, you can find rooms in mid-range casino resorts for as little as $40 a night. You can find a room in the family-friendly Circus Circus Hotel & Casino for as little as $25 a night on several travel sites, such as Orbitz and Kayak.
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2. Orlando. Now that spring break is over, prices have dropped on several hotels and resorts in and near Walt Disney World Resort. Diener says that you can find suites for $100 to $150 and rooms with two double beds for less than $100. Check MouseSavers.com for additional specials and discount codes for hotels in and around Disney World.
3. South Florida. The fact that spring break has come and gone also plays a big role in the drop in prices at hotels in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and other cities in South Florida. Diener says that rates are 40% lower than they were a couple of weeks ago. Don't wait to long to book a room, though, because rates will creep up again as Memorial Day approaches. For example, you'll find mid-range hotels in Miami for $100 to $200.
4. Washington, D.C.. If you're looking for a weekend getaway and want to soak up a little history, head to the nation's capital. Prices at many desirable D.C. hotels drop to the mid-$100 range per night Friday through Sunday. This is about half the price that you'll pay on a weekday because hotels are booked with business travelers.
5. Anaheim, Calif. Diener says that rates on hotels and resorts in Anaheim, which is home to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, have dropped -- some below $100 -- because spring break is over.
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