Family-owned contemporary hotel brand, Apex Hotels, boasts 10 properties in five UK cities – London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Bath – and a 16-strong reservations team to help travellers book the perfect break.
Here, Ben Pope, Reservations Team Manager for Apex Hotels shares his top tips for booking a bargain break.
MATCH YOUR CHOSEN CITY TO THE SEASONS
When travelling abroad, we think nothing of narrowing down destinations depending on time of year – the same applies when you’re planning a UK city break. If you’re heading to Scotland, you’ll get the best value in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee in January and February.
London rates are also at their best in January and February – as well as August, which is perfect for a mid-summer city break.
If you’re looking to head to beautiful and historic Bath, set aside some time between January and March to get the best value for money.
MIDWEEK MAGIC
We know that most people want to take their break over a weekend to reduce the need to use those precious annual leave days from work. However, midweek is really where it’s at in terms of bargain city breaks, especially in places popular with tourists, such as Bath.
You can cheat a little by booking your break to start as the weekend tails off, as Sunday and Monday (as well as Thursday night) offer the best value hotel bookings. Alternatively, consider a Saturday-Monday break instead of a Friday-Sunday – the Sunday evening rate will often offset the Saturday.
If you can book Sundays at least five weeks out – particularly in London – you’ll get the best rates.
PICK A PACKAGE
Leading on from choosing your days, remember to keep an eye out for good package offers – which tend to be available on weekdays or at the tail end of a weekend. For example, our Sunday Sleepover and our shopping packages at Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bath and London.
TRY NOT TO MAKE AN EVENT OF IT…
Even in periods of lower demand, events will drive up prices, making your stay that little bit more expensive. Check each city’s events calendar and avoid key dates. Not only will you make a saving, but you’ll also enjoy the city you’re visiting without battling the crowds.
…BUT IF YOU MUST, BE ORGANISED
Sometimes you have to travel to that must-see gig or festival, and if you’re venturing away from home for a big event, sort out your accommodation when you’re booking your event tickets. While there’s an element of being unable to avoid a slightly higher rate on key dates, the sooner you book, the better the rate you’ll get. If you wait until closer to the time, chances are you’ll be hit with a heftier hotel bill than you thought.
PLAN AHEAD
Most people say hold off until the last minute when booking city break accommodation and, yes, it is true to say you could strike it lucky with a great last-minute rate. However, there’s a lot to be said about planning in advance – especially if you’re planning a summer city adventure. Not only will it save you stress, it could save you some cash. Our best book direct rates are available 18 months in advance. It seems like a lot, but sometimes if you’re planning a city break with your friends, coordinating diary dates can take just as long!
LONDON CALLING
London city breaks never get old – there’s so much to see and do, you can return again and again and have a different experience each time. And by taking advantage of available extras on accommodation, you can make your break a little bit more special.
If you book a deluxe room or above at Apex Temple Court, for example, you get to enjoy access to the club lounge with drinks and continental breakfast. Or stay at Apex London Wall on Fridays and Saturdays and get a complimentary welcome tipple to get your weekend off to a great start.
SAY ‘I DO’ TO BLOCK BOOKINGS
Weddings are an expensive business. Whether it’s a destination wedding, or you’re inviting guests from far-flung corners of the country (or the globe) keeping costs down for yourselves, and your guests, is a must. Reserve an allocated block of rooms and put the booking code on your wedding invitation for bargain rates without additional admin for you and your husband or wife-to-be.
With Apex Hotels, if you book more than seven rooms in one block for your wedding guests, you’ll get the added bonus of complimentary suite upgrade. Happily ever after indeed!
GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
And by ‘more bang for your buck’, we mean see more cities in a single break. Take a longer holiday in the UK, and take in multiple locations. Whether you want to do London and Bath, a trio of Scottish cities, or flit from London to Edinburgh, you really can do it all.
With Apex’s multi-centred breaks, our experienced team will help you build an itinerary as well as book your accommodation, and you can expect a signature ‘warmer welcome’ in each different location.
DON’T CUT IT SHORT
Think spending only one night in a hotel will save you cash? Think again! Our seasonal rates include up to 20 per cent off when you stay more than one night. You’ll also get free continental breakfast and the flexibility of being able to cancel up to 28 days prior to arrival in case anything happens.
GET IN TOUCH
If you’re ever in doubt and want to make sure you’re getting the best possible rate, or taking advantage of the most current offers available, it’s always best to speak to someone. Our UK-based call centre houses a team of reservations experts who can give you the best possible value for your trip. They’re available on 0808 302 6952.
For the best available rates, and information on current offers from Apex Hotels, visit www.apexhotels.co.uk/offers
