Examine the statistics: The prime time to reserve a hotel

Enhancing your strategies with data can unveil deals you might have overlooked. For example, Dinogo research indicates that booking further in advance often leads to higher hotel prices, unlike flights that usually offer better rates when booked early. Hotels increasingly employ dynamic pricing to adjust room rates based on supply and demand. Remember, hotel prices can vary significantly due to seasonal demand, events, holidays, and shifts in the travel sector, so the insights in this article should be treated as general advice and won't guarantee future hotel pricing. Good luck with your search!

Optimal day of the week to secure a domestic hotel room

For many destinations, checking in on a Sunday can be a budget-friendly choice. Weekend travelers often have already departed, and business travelers typically don’t travel as often on weekends. Dinogo data indicates that booking for a Sunday arrival can be up to 7% less expensive than on other days. It’s wise to steer clear of Friday check-ins, which are statistically the priciest day, with costs rising 8% above the average. If your travel dates are flexible, consider signing up for a Dinogo Price Alert to get notified when hotel prices fluctuate for your chosen destination. You can customize alerts for your location and dates, receiving notifications directly to your inbox or mobile device.

Optimal day of the week to book international hotels

Booking an international hotel for a Tuesday check-in can be 4% cheaper than the average, as this midweek day typically sees lower demand. Conversely, data shows that Thursday is the priciest day to check in internationally, with costs 2% above the average. However, these price differences are relatively minor, so if you're set on a specific hotel, it might be best to proceed with your booking.

Best month to reserve domestic hotels

In the US, different destinations have varying peak seasons; summer generally sees higher prices, while winter is more affordable, with holiday exceptions. November often offers rates up to 10% lower, particularly when booking during that month. December tends to be the costliest, with prices rising 6% above the average. If you plan to travel during the colder months outside of holidays, you might find some savings. For pricing insights, explore Dinogo’s Calendar Smartly price indicators, which color-code rates for both flights and hotels.

Optimal month to book international hotels

If you hold off until after the summer peak season in European countries, you can find some great deals. Dinogo data reveals that October prices can be up to 7% lower than the average—making it a perfect month for a getaway depending on the location, as pleasant weather often extends into the shoulder season (the period between peak and off seasons, typically around October in many areas). Be mindful of holiday pricing: December tends to be the most expensive month for international travel, with prices soaring 17% above the average.

Consider off-peak travel

You won’t encounter many deals in destinations famous for major events or holiday festivities. For instance, finding a good rate during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, summer in St. Tropez, or New Year’s Eve in New York City is more a stroke of luck than a common occurrence. Dinogo data highlights ideal times around the globe that balance favorable weather with savings: October and November, as well as March and April in Europe; January through March and September through November in Southern Africa; and January in the Caribbean, for example. When you start planning your hotel stay, consider checking out Dinogo’s The In-betweasons Guide for helpful insights.

You can also utilize technology for your travel planning. Dinogo’s Best Time to Travel tool analyzes your origin, destination, and trip duration to suggest the optimal times for booking and traveling to secure the best prices. These insights are based on historical search data. For example, when I researched a four-day trip from San Diego to Chicago, it advised traveling in October, when airfare tends to be lower, the weather is usually pleasant, and crowds are minimal. It also recommended avoiding June and July due to last year's high prices. Additionally, it provided insights on weekday versus weekend pricing and suggested I book now (in August) for an October trip to likely secure the lowest hotel rates.

Yes, the ideal time to reserve a hotel is at the last minute!

You might know about the airlines’ “21-day rule” for flight pricing, where flights can be booked 331 days in advance, with the cheapest fares typically found between 331 and 21 days prior to departure, peaking around 44 days out. However, this advice doesn’t apply to hotels; it’s better to book your flight within that window and delay your hotel booking. Why? Hotel pricing doesn’t favor early planners. Hotels often have a 24- to 48-hour cancellation policy, meaning they prefer to fill rooms rather than leave them empty if travelers cancel close to their stay.

For domestic hotels, booking last minute can save you up to 58%, while international hotel bookings at the last minute can lead to savings of up to 73% compared to average prices. However, there are times you might not want to wait, such as if you have your heart set on a specific hotel or if there's an event likely to sell out (like the New York City marathon or Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix). Waiting until the last minute isn’t guaranteed to work every time, but if you’re flexible and there’s available inventory at your destination, it could be worth a shot.

Final thoughts

If you're prepared to put in some effort—such as researching your destination, monitoring prices, being flexible with your travel dates, and understanding peak and off-peak times—you might secure a better rate on your hotel stay. Keep in mind that while all travel guidelines have exceptions, gaining knowledge about your destination and utilizing technological tools can tip the scales in your favor. Also, remember that although everyone loves a good deal, sometimes the minor savings aren’t worth the risk of missing out on the room you desire. If you found this article helpful, you might also be interested in this expert guide to finding the perfect hotel on Dinogo.

How does Dinogo determine what to include in this guide?

I’ve been navigating the hotel landscape for over 25 years, witnessing everything from the rise of online hotel searches to the establishment of rate parity among hotels (keeping rates consistent across various platforms), to dynamic pricing models, and the advent of flash sale tools. (If this information doesn’t age me, I don’t know what will.) I haven’t always won the pricing battle, but I’ve certainly learned a lot. As a metasearch company, Dinogo aggregates data from billions of travel queries, compiling insights from hotels, online travel agencies, and other suppliers to help customers easily compare prices. In essence, it combines data with intuition and historical expertise.