Ten Bargain Destinations: Cities with the Biggest Hotel Price Drops in 2013

The Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI) Exposes Value Destinations for Canadian Travellers

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - School is in full swing, fall has just arrived and we're another step closer to the holiday season. If you've got travel on your mind, there is no better time to make it a reality  - especially before your funds get allocated for holiday gifts and celebrations. The experts at Hotels.com^® have used their newest Hotel Price Index ^™ (HPI^™) and handpicked a list of interesting destinations with the highest average nightly rate decreases - 12 to 32 per cent - so you can get the most value out of your travel budget.

"Choosing a destination solely based on the lowest price isn't always the best route to take as you may not have the experience you were looking for," says Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. "With the HPI, travellers can locate cities with significant rate decreases, meaning they might not be the cheapest, but are a lot more affordable than before which gives you more value for your travel dollars."

Domestic Values

City: Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $147
Year-over-year price drop: 13 per cent
Located on the south shore of the province, Charlottetown joins Quebec City as one of Canada's most historic and picturesque cities. Known for its delicious lobster, potatoes and other locally farmed goods, the autumn harvest season is the perfect time for visitors to enjoy the immense bounty of the island's farmers, fishers and producers.

City: Quebec City, QC, Canada
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $120
Year-over-year price drop: 12 per cent
Arguably Canada's most beautiful city, Quebec City is a romantic destination surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and Canada's version of the Great Wall of China. Plus, with an abundance of historical, cultural and outdoor activities to take part in, it's more than just a pretty picture.

International Values

City: Hanoi, Vietnam
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $54
Year-over-year price drop: 32 per cent
One of Southeast Asia's fastest growing cities, Hanoi is a fascinating blend of Eastern and Western cultures. You can get a free tour of the city from students at the University of Hanoi and visit the sites with knowledgeable tour guides. The Old Quarter is another area where tourists can find the best bang for their buck with reasonably priced Western and local fare.

City: Warsaw, Poland
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $102
Year-over-year price drop: 26 per cent
Another city breaking away from a troubled past, Warsaw is proving it belongs amongst Europe's trendy tourist destinations. Savior Square is a vibrant area full of chic cafes, stylish restaurants and fun nightlife, which is why it is gaining a reputation as "Hipster Square". Warsaw has several milk bars remaining from their communist era that offer low prices and a view of life before democratization in Poland. For about $20 more than the overall average price, travellers can splurge on five-star accommodation.

City: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $53
Year-over-year price drop: 20 per cent
Previously considered a rough place to visit, the capital of Cambodia has steadily improved its reputation as a travel destination.. Standard tourist sites are few, which means a visit provides the opportunity to relax, watch the street life and absorb the local colour. Khmer restaurants which serve local cuisine can be found throughout the city with the average meal ranging from $2-4 in price.

City: Siena, Italy
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $130
Year-over-year price drop: 15 per cent
Located in the heart of Tuscany, Siena is a medieval city that makes you feel like you stepped into a time machine. If you're looking for something tasty, La Taverna di San Giuseppe is a popular favourite, but the city's main attraction is the semi-annual Palio horse race, which pits neighbourhoods against each other in a long-standing and friendly, yet serious, competition.

City: Laguna Beach, CA, United States of America
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $197
Year-over-year price drop: 15 per cent
Although featured in reality TV as an affluent seaside destination, Laguna Beach has never been more affordable. Inexpensive eating options are intertwined with high-end restaurants to cater to a variety of tastes and budgets. This area of Orange County is a surfer's dream.

City: Santiago, Chile
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $134
Year-over-year price drop: 14 per cent
As the political, economic and cultural centre of Chile, Santiago treats visitors to some of the world's best wineries and restaurants, including the uniquely Chilean Peumayen Ancestral Food. Travellers will love its close proximity to both the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, where you can ski and relax on the beach in the same day.

City: Zurich, Switzerland
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $189
Year-over-year price drop: 14 per cent
Despite its reputation as a global financial centre, you don't need a Swiss bank account to enjoy all that Zurich has to offer. Its fast and effective public transit allows tourists to save a few Euros by staying in the surrounding area instead of the city centre. Impressive outdoor attractions Mount Titlis and Lake Zurich are also easy to access and free to enjoy.

City: Seoul, South Korea
Average Daily Hotel Prices: $137
Year-over-year price drop: 12 per cent
As the largest metropolis and capital of South Korea, Seoul is a megacity and home to endless street food vendors and vast nightlife districts. In contrast to the grandiose of the city, the mountains surrounding Seoul offer many hiking opportunities for outdoorsy travellers, with Bukhansan National Park being the largest.

Start the season with a new adventure and it'll make the transition to colder weather much more bearable, trust us. Plus, if you book through the Hotels.com mobile app you'll have access to even more exclusive deals and we all know there's nothing more satisfying than a bargain.

Learn more about the HPI by visiting hotel-price-index.com and follow the conversation on Twitter @hotelsdotcomca, #HPI.

Editors Note: All prices are in Canadian Dollars.

About the HPI™
The HPI is a biannual report that looks at hotel prices in cities all around the world. The data is based on bookings made through the Hotels.com website and the prices listed are the actual prices paid by Canadians - not advertised rates. The report compares prices paid in the first half of 2012 with those paid in the first half of 2013.

About Hotels.com^®

Hotels.com (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca) is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through the Expedia, Inc. global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travellers with approximately 220,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards^TM, customers can earn a free* night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee†, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Hotels.comCA, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcomca and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. More Hotels.com news is available at: http://press.hotels.com/en-ca/. Hotels.com, LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands.

Hotels.com, Hotel Price Index, HPI, Finding You the Perfect Place and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2013 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

*Your free night is good at any Welcome Rewards eligible property. The maximum value of your free night is the average daily rate of your ten (10) nights. Your free night does not include taxes and fees.

† Price match guarantee on hotel bookings. If you find a lower price on exactly the same stay elsewhere, we'll match it or let you cancel your booking without a penalty.  Terms and conditions apply.

Image with caption: "Asian destinations, like Hanoi, have experienced a decrease in hotel rates making them perfect for travellers looking for a travel deal (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130925_C4376_PHOTO_EN_31322.jpg

SOURCE: Hotels.com

For further information:

Press contacts: 

Lauren Wasley
energi PR for Hotels.com
Phone: [phone] ext. 19
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: @energiPR

Taylor L. Cole, APR
Hotels.com North America
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail] 
Twitter: @TravelwithTLC