Rethinking Last-Minute Bookings in Hospitality
In the hotel business, offering deep last-minute discounts is often seen as a final option—a quick fix to improve low occupancy. But this view is changing. With guest habits evolving and mobile use increasing, last-minute bookings are now becoming a regular and helpful source of income—not just a desperate step.
It's time for hoteliers to look at this market as a great chance to grow income, fill empty rooms, and manage inventory better.
Why Hoteliers Should Take Last-Minute Travel Seriously
A Growing Market That’s Always in Demand
Last-minute travelers are not only looking for cheap deals. They also include:
- Business guests with urgent meetings
- People traveling due to family or health emergencies
- Locals or tourists planning quick weekend trips
- Travelers who book on-the-go without much planning
This demand is steady throughout the year. For hoteliers, this means:
The Data Speaks: Google Highlights the Trend
Mobile Searches Drive Last-Minute Demand
Google UK reports that searches for "last-minute hotel" and "last-minute holiday deals" are rising quickly, especially on mobile.
"Last-minute travel has gone mobile. We are seeing double-digit growth in last-minute travel-related searches year-on-year."
What Hoteliers Can Learn from This:
- Guests are using mobile phones more to make fast bookings
- Most searches happen on weekends or in the evenings
- Many bookings are made using voice search for speed and ease
Click here to read the Google feature report
Operational Challenges for Hoteliers
Even though there are benefits, last-minute bookings can bring some challenges too:
- Managing Inventory: You must keep room availability updated often to avoid double bookings.
- Setting Prices: Giving too much discount may hurt your brand image.
- Channel Conflict: If rates or availability are not updated everywhere, you may lose bookings.
- Team Readiness: Your staff should be prepared for guests arriving late or at short notice.
Smart Solutions: Use Technology to Win with Last-Minute Guests
Hotelogix Channel Manager (HCM): Designed for Fast and Easy Booking
If you're using Hotelogix PMS, you already have a great tool: the Hotelogix Channel Manager (HCM). It helps hoteliers connect with last-minute guests easily.
This is where a good revenue management system is helpful. It lets you adjust rates based on how many rooms are booked and how many are left, without doing it manually.
Use Case Example:
A 45-room boutique hotel in Manchester saw a 22% increase in mid-week bookings after starting last-minute offers using the Hotelogix Channel Manager. With automatic rate settings and mobile-ready options, the hotel attracted bookings from both OTAs and its own website.
Last-Minute Booking Tips for Hoteliers
1. Create a Special Rate Plan
Offer a clear rate for last-minute bookings with simple rules. Make sure it doesn’t lower the value of your regular bookings.
2. Use the Right Booking Channels
Share your last-minute rates on OTAs that focus on fast bookings, like:
- Booking.com’s "Late Escape Deals"
- Expedia’s "Last-Minute Deals"
- HotelTonight
3. Use Location and Time to Your Advantage
Offer discounts to travelers already in your city or nearby. Also, create limited-time deals (for example: book between 6PM and 9PM).
4. Make Your Booking Process Easy on Mobile
Ensure your hotel website and booking system are mobile-friendly. Most last-minute guests book from their phones.
5. Sell More Than Just Rooms
Offer add-ons like early check-in, late check-out, breakfast, or room upgrades during booking.
Don’t Be Afraid of Flash Sales
Flash sales or last-minute deals don’t mean your hotel is struggling. In fact, they can:
- Fill rooms during slow seasons
- Bring in fast cash
- Reach new types of travelers
- Make your hotel visible on more platforms
If done smartly, these deals help you improve your Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) without hurting your brand.
In the End: Last-Minute Guests Can Be Long-Term Winners
With simple and smart tools like Hotelogix PMS and Channel Manager, you can:
- Get bookings from high-intent last-minute guests
- Save time by automating your rate and room updates
- Turn uncertain demand into reliable income
Start today. Don’t wait. Make last-minute bookings a regular part of your hotel’s success plan.
Want to learn more about how to set this up? Get in touch with our team to see how Hotelogix can help your hotel get more bookings—fast and easy.
