Discount Hotel Rates
Some advice on finding discount hotel rates in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. As a hotel owner myself, I feel somewhat qualified to pass on a little advice on finding the best room rates for your next stay in Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo.
If you arrived at this article looking for list of super cheap hotel rates, I am sorry to disappoint. There are a million sites offering the "Cheap Rates on Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Hotels". Yeah, right. There can only be one "best". It's the one you are happy with. Anyway, if you are still reading, here are a few random ideas:
Call the hotel directly.
If you know precisely which hotel you want to stay at, try and find a local phone number for them. Very soon I will be posting a list of all the hotels, casas, condos, bungalows, villas, hostels and rooms that I have telephone numbers for.
This tip is particularly true for the small bungalows or boutique hotels. Calling the hotel will probably put you in touch with the owner, and you can be sure that they are perfectly aware that they do not have to pay a commission to an on line booking agent, (or a local cab driver). Expect at least 10% flexibility - it doesn't cost them anything to give you a discount equal to the commission they would normally have to pay.
Negotiate.
Mexican commerce is built on negotiation. There is nothing inherently insulting or wrong about negotiating a better price. If fact, to the contrary, it is expected. I could probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of Mexican guests who have stayed in my bungalows in Zihuatanejo who have not negotiated a rate (or at least tried to!). On the other hand, the reverse holds true for American and Canadian guests.
I am never offended by this. It is a way of life. Obviously a guest wants the best rate they can get for their accommodation, as does the owner. As a guest, remember one thing: the owner will never rent a room for less than they are happy with receiving!
This of course is impossible with the large, chain hotels.
Make a "high-season" reservation in the "low-season".
The months of May/June and September/October are the lowest seasons in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. Everyone is broke, or nearly so, and are therefore more inclined to discount at these times. Running a hotel is expensive and never stops! Neither do the wages! Be prepared to leave a large deposit though - you will get a better discount in the future is they have cash-in-hand now.
Make a reservation in the evening.
Almost every hotel in the world will cancel a reservation if you don't show up by 6pm, unless of course your room is guaranteed by a credit card. This of course will only work if you are already in Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo, or are going to arrive shortly.
With the smaller hotels, notably in Zihuatanejo, a cancellation may mean that the owners have held back some or all of the guest's deposit. You may find them more interested in giving you a discounted rate. Typically, a 50% deposit is required up front and they will only refund 80-90% of it if the room is re-rented.
Try second best.
The big hotels, like practically all the hotels in Ixtapa, always have a few rooms "out of order". Perhaps they are on the maintenance list to fix a faucet, replace a tile in the bathroom etc. If you tell the manager that are happy to take this sub-standard room, you may just get it, for a discount of course!
In the same vein is the idea of picking a cheaper hotel in the area. Let's say you want to be on Playa La Ropa (in Zihuatanejo), but your preferred hotel is asking $350 a night - well beyond your budget. 200 meters away is a perfectly good, but not as fancy, hotel that is asking $200 a night. Remember! Same beach, same sun, and you likely won't be spending that much time in the hotel anyway. Get out and explore! If you are staying in Ixtapa, jump a bus to Zihuatanejo, you'll enjoy it,
Consider other hotel types.
Most of us feel more "secure" reserving a room in a big, well-known hotel. In Ixtapa, you will find all the big chain hotels. Zihuatanejo generally has smaller hotels. There are many 1 to 10 room properties around. There are also condos, houses, apartments, bungalows, guest houses and the like. Playa La Ropa and Playa La Madera, in Zihuatanejo, are full of options.
Book one night up front.
Warning: Do NOT try this during Christmas, New Year's, Easter or summer vacations. All the hotels, and even the worst rooms, are booked for these holidays in both Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. You could find yourself sleeping on the street (on the beach, no, it's prohibited).
If you are not familiar with Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo, or think you can get a better rate while you are "on the ground", think about reserving only one night at any promising hotel. Once you are here, you can then:
Decide whether the location you picked is where you would like to stay. Maybe Ixtapa is not to your cup of tea after all and you would rather have a hotel in Zihuatanejo.
Ask around and investigate other options and negotiate a price you are happy with. The previous tips about cancellations applies.
Another Caution: DO NOT TAKE ADVICE from the friendly guy on the beach, the cab driver or the waitress that offers to show you her "amigo's" hotel. They almost always are in it for the commission. On the other hand, if you do wind up having a conversation with someone who is not handing you a flyer, hustling you into a taxi or even worse, selling a time-shares, listen to them.
Roberto is a hotel owner in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico. See also Location Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo for more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roberto_Gonzales
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