Monday, August 8, 2011

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 90: For a last minute trip, start dialing

It happens every year, like a prelude to Back to School shopping mad dash: "Where can I book a cheap vacation down the shore right now?"

Yes, you see the date of this post correctly. In the last two weeks, I've been flooded with requests of where to go for cheap in these last few weeks of August.

My best advice? Pick up the phone and start dialing.

Your best chance on getting a good deal late is to find a place with a cancellation. Assuming said cancellation happened recently, the hotel, motel, or B&B already got at least part of the payment for the room. They'll want to put someone in there vs. no one.

Is it labor intensive? Of course. But it's your best bet.

Another tip: be flexible. Saying you must have oceanfront in Cape May might cramp your options (not that it isn't lovely. It is).

Of COURSE, feel free to keep asking me for suggestions. I can give you tips on who to call. Just realize I'm not a miracle worker ;-)

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6 comments:

Suzanne Dell'Orto said...

My feelings exactly...we've got to go to the beach before it's too late!

We are trying to get our little family (2 of us + a 4 year old) to some boardwalk action the week of August 15 for 2 or 3 nights. We'd like to be close (walkable, but not "hearable") to the Wildwood Boardwalk or the Seaside Boardwalk, and want to pay $125 or less per night. Any suggestions...even a different boardwalk!

Jen A. Miller said...

A fellow reader had luck with the Pavillion Motor Lodge in Ocean City, NJ! He has a 'little' family too. Seemed to have worked out.

Suzanne Dell'Orto said...

That's a GREAT suggestion! Thank you! Hadn't even thought of Ocean City...and we could even head over to AC for a bit of fun, too. Yay!

sarah said...

My parents are in a similar conundrum - trying to find a place to stay next week in the Stone Harbor area. They called four places and declared everything booked solid. I suggested they might want to call around more, but they appear to have accepted defeat.

Jen A. Miller said...

Suzanne - great!

Sarah - There aren't many types of places to stay in Stone Harbor outside of rentals, which could be why, and next week is probably the busiest down the shore save, maybe, Fourth of July week.

Ann Delaney said...

We have a few options for next week if Sarah's parents want to give me a call. A 2 story home on 16th Street, and beach block townhouse on 73rd Street- both in Avalon. We are experiencing a stronger rental season, so the last minute requests are a challenge.