Hotwire Reveals Hotel Rate Report for December 2009

This monthly report features the top 10 cities in North America where hotel rates have dropped the most. When combined with Hotwire's already discounted prices, the Hotel Rate Report helps guide customers to the destinations that will maximize their travel dollars. For the third month in a row, Houston tops the list with a year-over-year price drop of 19 percent. As in previous months, this is largely being driven by the high 2008 hotel rates in Houston due to displacements caused by Hurricane Ike.

Orlando and San Francisco both made their way back onto the list after being absent for a few months with percent rate drops of 14 percent and 12 percent, respectively. Along with Miami/Ft. Lauderdale (15 percent) and San Diego (13 percent), these cities offer bargain prices and mild climates for those needing an escape from the cold winter weather.

As predicted in last month's Hotel Rate Report, more midsize cities continue to make appearances in the top 10 as many waited until early 2009 to drop their rates in reaction to the down economy. Austin continues to hold a place in the top 10 at number nine with a 12 percent drop, while newcomer Columbus, OH entered the list at the number four spot with a 14 percent drop.

Hotwire is able to find great deals, especially in these cities where prices are unseasonably low, because it works with hotels, airlines and car rental companies to fill unsold inventory. This means that customers will find deals that they won't see anywhere else.

When compared to the same time last year, the top 10 hotel price reductions for December 2009 include:

                                                  Example of a Current

  Rank    Hotel Market             Price Drop   Hotwire Deal, US$/Night

  1       Houston, TX                  19%      4-star              $78

  2       Jacksonville, FL             17%      4-star              $71

  3       Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL    15%      4-star              $88

  4       Columbus, OH                 14%      4-star              $72

  5       Orlando, FL                  14%      4-star              $67

  6       Philadelphia, PA             13%      3.5-star            $83

  7       San Diego, CA                13%      3.5-star            $77

  8       San Francisco, CA            12%      4-star              $99

  9       Austin, TX                   12%      3.5-star            $73

  10      Seattle, WA                  10%      3.5-star            $80

"Some year-over-year discounts have eased up this month as we now enter the time when hotels had already begun discounting heavily in 2008," said Clem Bason, President of the Hotwire Group. "Despite some stabilization of these already low rates, some hotels are still lowering rates and will continue to offer some amazing discounts on Hotwire into the New Year."

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