Diversions October 24, 2013

Overall Hotel Value Is Top Priority For Most

Wi-Fi, attractions, free breakfast and pet-friendly hotels are choice, but for most travelers, it’s the whole package that counts when choosing a hotel.
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Whether it’s a budget motel or luxury beach-front resort, travelers want to be sure they are getting the best property within their budget, according to a recent AAA survey.

Most respondents (85%) cited overall value for money as the top consideration for choosing a hotel. Most (87%) of respondents with annual household incomes above $100,000 and 84% of respondents with annual household incomes below $35,000 selected overall value as a priority.

Convenience to attractions or activities is important to 73%. Added benefits such as free breakfast (63%) and free hi-speed Wi-Fi (51%) also ranked high when choosing a hotel.

Younger travelers cited free Wi-Fi as even more important than other demographics, with 71% of respondents age 18 to 34 saying free, high-speed Wi-Fi is a top consideration when choosing a hotel.

Among other findings:

  • Nearly half (48%) of women and those age18 to 34 surveyed said they seek environmentally friendly programs when selecting a hotel.
  • Frequent travel programs or points are important to 35%.
  • Pet-friendly hotel policies matter to 29% and spas to 23%.
  • Children’s programs matter to 23% of respondents. Nearly half (47%) of all people with children under age 13 consider a children’s program when booking a hotel.

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