Overview of Hotwire Secret Rates
Hotwire Introduction
Hotwire has gained significant popularity in the US and expanded to the UK hotel market in 2011. Users can select hotels based on standard criteria such as star rating, price, and location; however, they also offer hotels at a ‘Secret Hot Rate.’ These secret deals provide an opportunity to book accommodations at prices that are substantially lower than the published rates.
When you enter your travel dates, you can choose the hotel’s star rating and area, but the name or address remains undisclosed until after booking. There is a map available to ensure you are selecting the desired neighborhood. Additionally, a limited list of hotel facilities is accessible before booking, although no photos are presented to maintain the element of surprise.
To enhance your booking confidence, users can view TripAdvisor ratings and the number of reviews left by travelers.
Availability for Secret Hot Rates is limited since hotels aim to retain their regular clientele while also minimizing vacant rooms. Therefore, the room rates are dynamic and can fluctuate based on the booking date, the duration of stay, and the hotel’s star rating.
Tried and Tested
Hotwire invited me to test a Secret Hot Rate. I examined the map and chose the “Bloomsbury – Marble Arch – British Museum area” as it covers a large section of central London.
I picked a hotel with a 5-star rating and noted that TripAdvisor had over 500 reviews with an impressive rating of 4.5 out of 5. Although I couldn’t access the reviews directly, this information assured me that the hotel was well-established and highly regarded.
Furthermore, Hotwire customers also contributed their reviews, rating the hotel at 4.5 out of 5. This feedback allowed me to trust that those who booked through Hotwire — potentially at a Secret Hot Rate — had a satisfying experience.
The offered room rate was £171 per night, which is exceptional for a 5-star hotel in London.
I reviewed the list of hotel facilities and was pleased to find a swimming pool, which guided my decision to proceed with the booking.
Upon receiving the booking confirmation, I discovered I would be staying at The Landmark London — a place I had always dreamed of visiting.
Compare The Rates
I reserved a two-night stay at The Landmark London through Hotwire for:
- £342 for two nights (£171 per night).
After checking the best rate available on the hotel’s website, I found that the same booking would have cost:
- £562 for two nights (£281 per night).
This means I saved 39%, amounting to £220 — more than the cost of an extra night!
With numerous hotel booking platforms claiming to provide the best rates, I continued my comparison:
- Booking.com offered the same reservation for £575.
- Lastminute.com provided the same reservation at £515.
- Expedia.co.uk also showed the same reservation at £515.
- Laterooms.com matched the same price at £515.
Thus, many competitors seemed to render The Landmark’s ‘Best Price Guarantee’ less credible.
More Tips
The Hotwire smartphone app simplifies booking for travelers on the go. While I initially researched the hotel on my PC, I successfully completed my booking on my phone without any issues.
For additional advice on navigating Secret Hot Rates, MoneySavingExpert.com offers insights that can help make educated guesses about which hotels might be available; nonetheless, these guesses are not guaranteed without securing a booking.
Conclusion
Having previously known about these secret hotel deals but lacking confidence to pursue one, my experience with Hotwire has been rewarding. I can confidently recommend these deals, as you still maintain control over crucial aspects of your stay while securing incredible bargains. Although I enjoyed a 39% discount for my weekend stay, it is not uncommon for Hotwire customers to achieve savings of up to 50%. Thus, checking for your next trip to destinations like London, Oxford, Edinburgh, Manchester, throughout Europe, and beyond is certainly worthwhile.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While this has not influenced the content, iBestTravel believes in full transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.
