Hotels Prep For Holiday Weekend Boost
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Whether it's a vacation or a staycation, South Florida hotels are hot spots for visitors and locals alike.
And with the Fourth of July holiday coming up Saturday, revelers are expected to crowd places like the Epic Hotel in Downtown Miami and the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables to get a glimpse of some spectacular fireworks shows.
Bill Talbert with the a Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking forward to it.
"It's going to be a great great weekend. Gas prices are down. The economy is doing well. Miami is one of the hottest, coolest, destinations in the world today," Talbert said.
According to a report from travel research firm STR, Miami-Dade hotel rooms were 76.5% full in May. While that's down slightly from the same time in 2914, Talbert says compared to the first five months of last year, hotel occupancy is up.
"The first 5 months of the year, according to Smit Travel Miami (was) in the top 25 destinations in the U.S," Talbert said. "(It) led the nation in revenue per hotel room. Number 1."
According to the Miami Herald, the report noted average daily rates increased 4.6% to more than $177.
But Conde Nast traveler recently named Miami one of the top 10 places to go for a good deal this holiday weekend.
And luxury hotels like the epic in downtown Miami will be packed, too.
"We're sold out. We have a great weekend planned. Lots of activities for our guests. It should be a super weekend," said Eric Jellson, a director of marketing and strategy for Kimpton Hotels, which owns the Epic.
When hotels are busy, Jellson says that's good for everyone.
"Tourism and jobs are everything," he explained. "These kinds of activities that we do help to keep our employees employed all year and not just what was the typically slower season in the summer."
If you're thinking of booking a hotel stay for the holiday weekend, Talbert says to get a deal, don't book online. Call the hotel directly. You maybe able to negotiate a better rate.
