Many of us are finding a need to save money, especially with the current volatile economic climate in the UK. If you are looking to save money and find the best cheap hotel deals in Glasgow, then read on to our blog.
We hope this will be your go-to blog for uncovering the best budget-friendly accommodation in Scotland’s most vibrant city.
This blog brings you the most affordable hotel deals in Glasgow, catering to travellers seeking adventure, students on a budget, and business visitors looking for a cost-effective stay.
We understand that travelling can be expensive, so we’ve made it our mission to explore, review, and share the best cheap hotel deals in Glasgow, ensuring your visit to this dynamic city doesn’t break the bank.
Join us as we delve into Glasgow’s hidden gems, from cosy bed and Full Scottish breakfasts to budget-friendly boutique hotels, each offering comfort, convenience, and a touch of Scottish charm, all at prices that will make you smile. Welcome aboard!
Why it is important to find cheap hotel deals in Glasgow
There are several reasons why a guide dedicated to finding cheap hotels in Glasgow is of significant importance. It is helpful for budget-conscious travellers and tourists, allowing them to explore the city without the burden of high accommodation costs.
This affordability can also entice a greater number of tourists, benefiting Glasgow’s tourism sector. Students and visiting academics in the city, known for its educational institutions, particularly benefit from such economical lodging options.
In 2024, I see the value of a guide to cheap hotels in our city more than ever. Currently, the cost of living is soaring, not just here but globally, making budget-friendly travel options more crucial. For locals like me, having affordable accommodation options is key when we have friends or family visiting. It’s also a boon for students in our city, who are often on a tight budget but keen to have their folks over for a visit or a graduation.
In these times, when everyone is trying to stretch their pound a bit further, a guide like this can make a real difference. It means more people can enjoy the beauty of Glasgow without the stress of overspending on accommodation, which, in turn, supports our local economy and promotes the city’s diverse culture and heritage. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about making our city accessible to a broader range of people, regardless of their financial situation.
1. Book directly.
Booking direct with hotels is the simplest way to secure discounted hotel rates, bypassing online travel agencies (OTAs) and booking engines altogether and providing an in-person experience while saving money. This approach provides for greater savings.
If you find a lower deal elsewhere, many hotels will provide price matching with competitors so you can get the best deal. This option can help those on a tight budget find accommodation they can afford with savings made on lower rates.
Kayak or Skyscanner metasearch websites can also be excellent ways to find the lowest rates. These search engines will conduct extensive searches across major OTAs as well as hotels’ own websites to see if there are any specials or discounts. In addition, Kayak even features a price alert feature, which will notify you as soon as prices drop!
Don’t forget package deals.
If you have yet to find an excellent hotel deal, try looking into package deals. These packages include hotel and flight bookings together, which may be significantly more economical than booking each separately. Alternatively, take a look at Priceline Express Deals or Pricebreakers, which provide savings of 30–60% by making mystery hotel reservations.
Book your hotel early, as prices typically increase Monday–Wednesday before declining as the weekend approaches. This will allow you to avoid peak-season rates and secure the best possible price. Inquire with hotels about special pre-booking offers such as complimentary breakfast or spa/sauna service, as this could save even more.
2. Look for package deals.
Hotel accommodations are often the single largest expense on any trip, so taking advantage of all available ways to find cheap hotel deals and maximise your travel budget without having to sacrifice key aspects such as safety or cleanliness is wise.
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to secure a hotel at a great rate is by booking a holiday package. Many large online travel companies provide packages that combine flights, hotels, and extras, offering convenience while saving time. While they may save time by consolidating all purchases into one package deal, these deals might not always offer value for money.
Many comparison websites charge hotels a commission per booking made through them; visiting the hotel’s own website can save you time and money by finding better offers there.
Consider also booking hotels that provide free cancellation policies; that way, if the price of your room decreases before departure, cancel and book it at the new lower rate—especially useful if using an aggregator site like Kayak or Trivago that alerts you when prices drop.
Stay on budget by exploring hotel deals offered by your airline or rewards program. For example, American Airlines loyalty club members can redeem miles for hotel stays, and IHG Rewards Club membership will price match lower prices on other sites while awarding double the points!
3. Book a Mystery Deal
Hotels often have empty rooms they are unwilling to give away for free, yet they can still sell these rooms to travellers at a bargain price through mystery hotel deals sold through websites like Priceline and Hotwire. With these deals, travellers cannot see the hotel until they have completed the payment (although some sites offer tools to reveal its identity beforehand).
Hotels offering these discounts don’t do it to make a profit; rather, they do it to prevent rooms from going empty and endangering their reputations. If you aren’t picky about your hotel’s location or quality, then this could be a great way to save money without having to sacrifice quality or location.
Hotels may also provide discounted rates if they recognise you as an existing customer or loyalty programme member, providing additional savings as well as access to free upgrades, early check-in and check-out privileges or other perks that make staying there even more desirable.
If you plan to be staying at a hotel for an extended period, signing up for their loyalty programme or at least their email list could be beneficial. Depending on the hotel, rewards points could quickly add up to a free or low-cost stay!
Keep an eye out for deals offered by new hotels as they open. Many will provide discounted introductory rates as soon as they do, often more so than expected for their locale. It is well worth checking local websites and travel blogs regularly in case one arises in your destination; these could provide a fantastic way of finding an inexpensive room!
4. Book a non-refundable rate.
Back when travel was more flexible, booking non-refundable airfare was no big deal; you could easily cancel hotel reservations at the last minute and waive change fees without incurring fees or incurring penalties. But these days, hotels are increasingly pushing clients towards non-refundable rates in order to secure revenue during key dates such as New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving. Here are a few tricks you can try in order to circumvent this restriction.
If you book a refundable rate and later discover a more advantageous one closer to your travel date, call the hotel directly and ask them to match it. Although this might prove challenging, some hotels may accommodate your request if you remain polite while explaining your situation.
One strategy you may find helpful is switching to non-refundable rates a few days before check-in; this can save a significant amount, as hotels typically reduce prices by approximately 12 percent between booking and check-in.
Taxes and fees should also be kept in mind when comparing hotel rates; many sites don’t include them in their total price so be sure to factor them in yourself. Also, keep in mind perks like free breakfast and Wi-Fi when making comparisons.
If you want a guaranteed hotel deal with peace of mind, try using Wowcher (UK only) or Pricebreakers. Both websites offer opaque bookings where three hotels may appear as options and you won’t know which one you will stay at until check-in. However, if another site offers better prices after your booking is confirmed, these sites will refund 200% of any difference!
5. Book a Room with Free Cancellation
Flexibility when booking travel dates can often result in great hotel deals, even if they may not exactly suit what you had in mind. Don’t forget about loyalty programmes either; sometimes these provide lower rates to members. Also keep an eye out for seasonal pricing: winter (from January 4 through mid-March) and summer are typically when hotels charge their highest rates, with popular events typically the costliest times to stay.
Trivago and Google Hotels offer valuable comparative hotel search engines to evaluate how their prices stack up against those offered by other hotel booking sites. When making comparisons, be cautious, as some metasearch sites may not include all fees and taxes in their price comparisons. Therefore, it is important to consider the total costs, including parking fees and resort fees, for an accurate assessment.
An additional way to save money on hotel bookings is by choosing a website offering free cancellation options, especially useful if travel plans change unexpectedly or they wish to book non-refundable rates.
Choose a hotel rate that allows for cancellation at no cost within a specific period prior to your trip for maximum flexibility and peace of mind. Also, keep an eye out for any promotions and discounts that might apply at this time; senior discounts, military personnel rates, teacher discounts, or student deals may help lower your hotel bill further.
