Hotels.com Hotels Price Index Reveals Now Is the Time to Book Your Five Star Room and Pay a Three Star Price

DALLAS, June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hotels.com®, a leading provider of lodging worldwide, has unveiled its Star Ratings prices, comparing three, four and five star room prices at the world's best properties and for the best possible rates. These price comparisons have been gleaned from the Hotels.com 2009 Hotel Price Index™, the definitive annual report on hotel prices paid around the world.  

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"Higher quality rooms in four and five star properties are now within the reach of more travelers who previously may have chosen two or three star properties," said Taylor L. Cole, APR, director of public relations for Hotels.com. "By filtering searches by star ratings during a Hotels.com trip planning session, travelers can find the highest quality rooms at the lowest prices and even take advantage of upgrades for holidays like the 4th of July."

Due to continued inventory and economic pressures, consumers have a very timely opportunity to snag great deals and upgrade their accommodations and travel experience.  These deals won't necessarily last, but with the fluctuating economy, prices have hit lows and are only now starting to climb back.

In 2009, a three-star property in Chicago cost an average of $132 per room, a 21 percent decrease from the 2008 rate of $168. Below is a list of the top five U.S. destinations for U.S. travelers (as ranked by the 2009 Hotels.com 2009 Hotel Price Index™).

"Broadening a family's options when it comes to booking is just one way Hotels.com can help enhance a family's summer vacation," adds Cole. "To help customers further capitalize on these lower rates, Hotels.com is currently running a 'Family Sale.'"

Rooms can be booked through July 5th for travel between now and July 31. Some featured family hotels include:

Anaheim, CA - Anabella Hotel - 3.5 star - $102 (Travel 6/29-7/1)

Orlando, FL - The Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa - 4 star - $69 (Travel 6/29-7/03)

San Antonio, TX - The Historic Menger Hotel - 3.5 star - $104 (Travel 7/4-7/8)

San Diego, CA - The Dana on Mission Bay/Sea World - 3 star - $129 (Travel 6/16-6/18)

Denver, CO - The Burnsley All Suite Hotel - 3.5 star - $74 (Travel 7/2-7/4)

Hotels.com offers more than just great hotel savings. It is an industry authority that puts customers first by offering their Price Match Guarantee, so that those booking can be assured they are getting the best deal, either online or by speaking directly to a travel expert at 1-800-2-HOTELS 24 hours a day. Travelers now have the chance to book great deals at top properties due to the narrowing price gap between 3, 4, and 5 star hotels in the Hotels.com® 2009 Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®), an annual study on actual prices paid for hotel rooms. In addition, all bookings are eligible for Hotels.com welcomerewards credits. welcomerewards, the loyalty program from Hotels.com, rewards guests with one free night whenever they accumulate 10 nights on Hotels.com.

For additional information on the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index, please click here

About Hotels.com

Hotels.com® is a leading provider of lodging worldwide, offering more than 85,000 properties in over 60 countries from national chain hotels and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts. With services such as welcomerewards®, an industry leading loyalty rewards program; the real opinions of other travelers captured in over 1.5 million Guest Reviews and;  a Price Match Guarantee, so that those booking with Hotels.com can be assured they are getting the best deal, either online or by speaking directly to a travel expert at 1-800-2-HOTELS 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit hotels.com. Hotels.com is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE). Please visit the Hotels.com Travel Smart Blog for consumer and business travel information. Follow us on Twitter via www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcom, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hotelsdotcom and take a VirtualVacation at www.virtualvacay.com. Hotels.com, A Smarter Way to Book™.

Hotels.com, Hotel Price Index, HPI, and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP, a subsidiary of Hotels.com. Other logos or products and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners © 2010 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

SOURCE Hotels.com