Survey
The most expensive winter destinations in the United States
Updated: November 24, 2016Holding allure for winter sports enthusiasts, Vail, CO. has been determined to be the most expensive destination in the United States for the upcoming winter travel season. Its famous ski resort in the Colorado Rockies has helped position Vail number one on a recent survey by CheapHotels.org.
In undertaking the survey, all prominent U.S. destinations were compared. The minimum amount a guest will have to spend to stay overnight in each destination’s cheapest available double room served as the basis of comparison. The survey specifically looked at the winter months of December, January and February, and the average cost over that three-month span was chosen for comparative purposes. It bears pointing out that the survey excluded hotels with less than a 3-star rating and those with negative average feedback from previous clientele.
With an average nightly price tag of $243 for its least expensive double room, Vail tops the rankings. Coming in second is Key West, Florida. An average overnight rate of $234 puts it in the runner-up slot. Rounding out the Top three is another Colorado ski resort, Aspen, where guests staying overnight will encounter an average rate of $227 at the check-in desk.
For travelers to the western half of the USA who are seeking sunshine instead of snow, Lahaina ranks as Hawaii’s priciest destination. At $216 nightly, it comes in at number six on the survey. Rounding out the Top 10 is Palo Alto, California. This home to Stanford University in the Silicon Valley is averaging $175 per night this winter season.
Winter travelers who are wanting to save a bit of money will do best if they book their trips for the month of December. The survey uncovered that the last month of the year is still rather affordable for most destinations in the Top 20. Starting in mid-January, hotel rates will rise precipitously, reaching their peak rates over the long President’s Day weekend (February 17–20). Then no rooms will be available for under $300 in some prime winter destinations (Vail, Lahaina, Sanibel Island).
The following table shows the 20 most expensive winter destinations in the United States. The prices shown reflect the average rate for each destination's cheapest available double room for the time period spanning December 1, 2016 – February 28, 2017.
- Vail (CO) $243
- Key West (FL) $234
- Aspen (CO) $227
- Sanibel Island (FL) $225
- Breckenridge (CO) $221
- Lahaina (Hi) $216
- Santa Monica (CO) $197
- Downtown Miami (FL) $194
- Park City (UT) $184
- Palo Alto (CA) $175
- Fort Myers Beach (FL) $174
- Deerfield Beach (FL) $174
- Austin (TX) $167
- Islamorada (FL) $159
- Nashville (TN) $158
- Clearwater Beach (FL) $157
- Napa (CA) $156
- Anna Maria Island (FL) $155
- Laguna Beach (CA) $153
- Pompano Beach (FL) $153
About the Methodology
The survey considered all destinations in the USA boasting a minimum of 20 hotels. Only well-located hotels (in the city center, close to the beach or near ski lifts) rated at least 3 stars and with positive overall average client ratings were considered. For each destination, the price for the cheapest available double room was established for the following periods: December 7–11, December 14–18, December 21–25, December 29 – January 2, January 4–8, January 11–15, January 18–22, January 25–29, February 1–5, February 8–12, February 16–20 and February 22–26. An average nightly rate was then established for the three-month period, resulting in the Top 20 most expensive destinations. Rates were established in mid-November based on research conducted on the hotel comparison website Kayak.Press Contact
Barbara Adams, press@cheaphotels.org, Phone: 1-805-308-9660Top Destinations
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