Are we hunting for bargains or needing a bit of excitement in our lives? “Mystery” hotels have become some of the hottest property in travel, with people falling over themselves to book accommodation at unnamed hotels and resorts. The theory goes that by remaining anonymous, hotels are able to discount below normal levels without damaging the brand or alerting competitors.
Hotel booking websites sell the concept by promising champagne rooms at beer prices and travellers are keen to partake, with mystery stays selling so fast they can be hard to secure.
Mystery, or “secret”, hotels, which have been around for about five years but have exploded in popularity in the past year, appear on booking websites with only basic information, such as their star rating and general location, such as the Sydney central business district. You can check the bedding configurations and see what facilities the hotel has but only once you have booked and paid do you find out the name and address.
Customer surveys conducted by Wotif.com found 35 per cent of people booking mystery hotel deals were chasing value for money, while an equal proportion had been attracted by the surprise factor and another 17 per cent thought it would be a bit of fun.
Booking websites tout big savings on mystery hotels, such as “up to 75 per cent”, but… (click here to keep reading this article by Jane E. Fraser)
