Insider Tip - Book in Advance

What is the best time to book a hotel room in the Outer Banks? Fall time! Yes, well, that's at least what our hotel booking trends data shows us. We see an interesting surge in bookings during September, all the way through late November. And what's even more interesting is the fact that these reservations are being made for arrivals in May & June, almost 9 months later! Well., smart seasoned travelers know the secret tip of booking early to save later. And this makes more sense for beach vacation spots like the Outer Banks, where hotel prices skyrocket in summer.

For example, if someone were to book a room today (Oct 21st, 2019) for 1 night on Aug 5th, 2020 at the Seahorse Inn & Cottages, their 1 night stay in a standard queen room would cost $129. In the below image we also see that there are only 12 standard queen rooms left.

But, here's the important part. This same room, based on our booking data, will average $199 for someone trying to book in May 2020. That is a $70 price variation. And this price variation matters even more if you're planning a 3 day stay (you're paying $210 MORE).

Now let's take a look at what's happening on Aug 5th 2020 at this same hotel. Rooms are already getting sold out.. check it out yourself.

From our historic data, the Cottage Queen room which is now available for $135 on Aug 5th 2020, will later cost at least $210 for a booking made in May/June. Seasonal beach vacation destinations like the Outer Banks get extremely busy from May through September. These 5 months see huge price surges, especially on weekends. So, booking a room in advance can save customers a sizable amount.

Tip Summary

• Booking at least 3-4 months in advance can save you up to 35%
• Many guests saved even more by booking almost 9 months in advance
• Many hotels let you book now & pay later. Reserve with no obligation
• Book now-Pay later deals can be awesome!