How to book a luxury room at a special price

Register now for free with Secret Escapes and save up to 70 percent compared to other providers, for example on a beach vacation in dreamy Phuket.

Forget what you know about the tourism industry: Fully booked hotels and off-putting peak prices in high season, as well as last-minute bookings that pack a punch in terms of price - it doesn't have to be that way! Stefan Menden, Managing Director at Secret Escapes and travel expert, reveals the secrets when it comes to cheap and last-minute bookings.

Mr. Menden, to what extent is the location of the hotel decisive for the price?

"In some regions there is a shortage of hotels, in others there is overcapacity. In Berlin, for example, several new hotels have just opened - this is creating competition. Some international five-star hotels are available at prices at which you can only get four-star hotels in other cities."

Saving tip: Competition is good for your wallet. Look out for areas with a high density of hotels.

Where can vacationers expect the biggest discounts?

"Newly opened or newly renovated hotels offer a high level of comfort with brand new rooms. In addition, they have often not advertised their season in the long term, have free capacity and offer special conditions at the start."

Saving tip: Keep an eye out for new hotel openings.

Can you tell us your best-kept secret in the industry?

"Highly rated hotels enjoy a high number of regular guests but also want to attract new customers. Secret Escapes is a welcome platform for these hoteliers because they can offer their rooms to guests who might not otherwise have had the hotel on their radar."

Saving tip:Exclusive offers are cheaper than the market average and offer great extras, e.g. a bottle of sparkling wine as a welcome gift, a wellness voucher or similar.

Secret Escapes offers overnight stays that are up to 70 percent below the regular price. How does it work?

"Hoteliers plan relatively far in advance. They sell and reserve rooms according to the estimated occupancy rate. If it turns out that the room rates are set too high, the planned booking volume is not achieved. We use these times to offer guests a high-quality vacation experience at an attractive price. The short offer period of a maximum of two weeks enables us to put together packages that are below the prices of other booking platforms. At the same time, hoteliers have the opportunity to bring their hotel closer to a discerning, price-conscious clientele."

Saving tip: Find special offers as a free member of Secret Escapes, whether you are planning a spontaneous trip or a longer trip.