Hotels.com Recommends Affordable Spring Destinations

DALLAS, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As winter struggles to hold on, travelers are furiously trying to find an affordable spring destination with a wide range of hotels and plenty to do.  Hotels.com®, a leading online booking website, has hand selected a list of four reasonably priced U.S. destinations for spring travelers. According to the latest Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®), which tracks real prices paid per room by Hotels.com customers during 2012, San Diego, San Antonio, Portland, Maine and Charleston are not only popular destinations but also offer hotel prices under $140 per night on average.

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"Spring is an ideal season for travelers seeking affordable travel and vacation options," said Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. "Late March through early June is considered shoulder season for many destinations meaning travelers can find greater hotel availability, added deals and more value than during high season."

San Diego, California – $135

Home of the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and the trendy Gaslamp Quarter, Southern California's laid back city continues to rise in popularity. Based on the HPI, San Diego was the sixth most popular city for American travelers and eighth most popular destination for international visitors in 2012. Stay on Coronado Island at the Loews Coronado Resort & Spa where one Hotels.com guest raved, "An old world hotel with all the comforts of a modern hotel. Great location by the ocean with 5 star restaurants." Venture north of the city to hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and explore the beach towns including Encinitas and Solana Beach where travelers can try water sports such as surfing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and kite surfing.

San Antonio, Texas – $116

Breaking into the top 10 most popular domestic destinations for American travelers according to the HPI, San Antonio, famous for its vibrant history, the River Walk and the Alamo, continues to rise in popularity. The city hosts an assortment of attractions and a flourishing culinary scene including Biga on the Banks, selected by Gourmet Magazine as a "top five restaurant in Texas" and Boudro's Texas Bistro, cited by Esquire Magazine as one of the 50 best U.S. restaurants. Head a short distance north to explore Texas Hill Country. The region boasts 22 wineries and a variety of recreational activities including hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing and boating.

Portland, Maine – $135

The quaint city along Maine's southern coast is a growing travel destination. The city houses a range of outdoor activities including a ferry to Peaks Island, the Portland Head Light, home of the most photographed lighthouse in America and an extensive walking and biking path system. Foodies can enjoy the burgeoning craft beer scene at Novare Res Bier Cafe and Bier Cellar or sample several up-and-coming restaurants and food trucks including the Bite Into Maine lobster food truck.   

Charleston, South Carolina – $138

Retaining much of its pre-Civil War ambiance and historical landmarks, Charleston is well known for its unique culture, art, music, local cuisine and fashion. Each spring the city hosts an array of events such as the annual Charleston Fashion Week and Spoleto Festival USA, one of the world's major performing arts festivals. Not in town during those events? Find tickets at one of several other theaters including Dock Street Theatre, American Theatre, Footlight Theatre and Charleston Stage 30. As Charleston continues to win over visitors and increase in popularity, hotel room rates are making a steady climb, rising 15 percent in 2012, so there's no better time than the present to visit.

All of these destinations and more feature great deals in the Spring Sale. For more information on the North American Hotel Price Index results, please visit www.hotel-price-index.com.

To book your next vacation, visit www.hotels.com, call 1-800-2-hotels, use our mobile apps. Wish list your favorite destinations and view deals on our Facebook Deals App.  Other news, images and infographics are available at our media room: http://press.hotels.com/en-us/.

Press contacts: 

Megan Tyrie – Finn Partners for Hotels.com
Phone: (212) 593-5815
Email: [email protected]   
Twitter: @finnpartners

Taylor L. Cole, APR
Hotels.com North America
Phone: (469) 335-8442
Email: [email protected] 
Twitter: @TravelwithTLC

About the HPI®

The HPI tracks the real prices paid per room by hotels.com customers around the world using a weighted average based on the number of rooms sold in each of the markets that hotels.com operates. The index started in 2004, and includes all bookings across the almost 140,000 properties in over 60 countries that make up the sample set of hotels from which prices are taken.

About Hotels.com^®

Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through the Expedia, Inc. global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travelers with almost 200,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards^®, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travelers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Hotels.comUS, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcom and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. Hotels.com. LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands. 

Hotels.com, Hotel Price Index, HPI, Finding You The Perfect Place and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2013 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

SOURCE Hotels.com