The upcoming solar eclipse, which will be visible across the United States on Monday, is already causing a noticeable increase in hotel prices. The Super 8 hotel chain, known for being a budget-friendly option with over 1,400 locations in America, has approximately 300 hotels within the path of totality. Of these, 100 are already fully booked for Sunday or Monday, as per the Super 8 website.
Around 45% of Super 8 hotels within 25 miles of the eclipse’s central path and still have rooms available are charging at least double their regular rates. For instance, a Super 8 in Grayville, Illinois is advertising a rate of $949 per night for a stay from Sunday to Tuesday, compared to its usual rate of $95 per night.
A representative from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Super 8’s parent company, explained that each Super 8 hotel is an independently operated franchise that determines its own rates. However, all franchise owners have access to revenue management software to help them set their pricing strategy.
Luxury hotels in major cities are also experiencing a surge in prices. The Ritz-Carlton in Dallas is currently offering a two-night stay for $7,600 from Sunday to Tuesday. The same stay will cost $1,329 one week later.
The data for the map was compiled by comparing the lowest non-member price for a stay from April 7-9 with the same period one week before and one week after.
Even Super 8 hotels in Glendale, Arizona, where the men’s N.C.A.A. basketball tournament final will take place on Monday, are not charging as much as those in the path of the eclipse. Several Super 8 locations near Augusta, Georgia, where the Masters golf tournament will begin next week, are either fully booked or charging significantly higher rates than usual.
Thelma Diller, an employee at the Super 8 in Malvern, Arkansas, mentioned that the hotel has been fully booked for nearly a year in anticipation of the eclipse. She described this as an extremely rare occurrence in her 20 years of working at the hotel.
Source: nytimes.com