How to Pay Less for Your Hotel Stay

If you’re already planning your next holiday, we have good news for you: there are ways to book your stay at lower prices.

Discover below the best-kept secrets on how to book your next holiday at a reduced rate.

 

Visit the Hotel’s Official Website

Once you’ve decided on your holiday destination and the hotel you’d like to stay at, visit the hotel’s official website.
As a general rule, prices on the official website are lower than on platforms like Booking, Expedia, or Hotels.com. This is because third-party websites charge commissions and fees that are not applied on the hotel’s own website, where the reservation is made directly with the hotel.

In addition, hotel websites often feature exclusive deals and perks that are only available through direct booking.

 

Subscribe to the Newsletters

Hotels offer newsletters that are free to subscribe to, and once you sign up, you’ll receive updates directly in your email inbox.
The best part? Many hotels send exclusive discounts only to those subscribed to their newsletters. That’s exactly what happens at AP Hotels & Resorts. Recently, our subscribers received discounts ranging from 10% to 20% for hotels like AP Dona Aninhas, AP Victoria Sports & Beach, AP Cabanas Beach & Nature, and AP Maria Nova Lounge. But here’s the catch: these offers were only available to those subscribed to our newsletter.

So, if you want to pay less for your stay, subscribe to hotel newsletters and get exclusive deals straight to your email. In the case of AP Hotels & Resorts, you can subscribe at the bottom of our website’s homepage.

 

Join the Clubs

Some hotels have loyalty or membership clubs that offer exclusive benefits to those who join.
Look into whether your preferred hotel has a loyalty or membership program and sign up to access unique offers. For example, AP Hotels & Resorts offers the AP Club, which automatically gives members a 10% discount on bookings, along with other benefits for those who collect points. These perks include free extra nights, massages, dinners, VIP services, and much more.

That’s why this is another smart strategy to book your stay at a reduced price.

 

Check the Offers or Promotions Section

On hotel official websites, in addition to the booking engines, it’s common to find a section dedicated to Offers or Promotions.
This section usually features exclusive packages with reduced prices and/or additional services included in a single deal.

You might find packages with discounts for family stays, romantic getaway experiences, or spa treatment packages.

At AP Hotels & Resorts, we have an Offers & Promotions section on our website, which currently includes a special package for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.

This package includes accommodation with breakfast, Tapas and Wines from Quinta de São Sebastião, access to the Wellness Area (featuring an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and Turkish bath), and a relaxing leg massage — all starting at just €85.

So, browsing hotel websites for these kinds of packages can help you enjoy a more complete stay at a better price.

 

Book in Advance

Booking your stay in advance is another excellent way to secure a lower price.
As your desired travel date gets closer, prices tend to rise due to increased demand. By booking earlier, you have a higher chance of finding lower rates, since there is still less competition for those dates.

The earlier you book, the better the deals you’re likely to find.

 

Book During the Low Season

Finally, our last tip is one of the most obvious: book during the low season.
High season — typically July and August — is associated with higher prices and is not ideal for those looking for more affordable options.
To secure a lower rate, consider booking your stay between September and May.