IHG 2-for-1 rates place London under $75 and Royal Flush Suites under $300

IHG has an extended time offer for 2 nights for the Price of 1 across the UK and Europe available for hotel stays through December 30, 2010 at Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, HI Express, Hotel Indigo and perhaps even other brands in some locations. This deal has been available for most of 2010. You are allowed a maximum of one two-night stay using this rate, but there is nothing in the terms against stacking up these rates back-to-back at different IHG hotels or returning to the same hotel on the 2 for 1 rate after at least a one night break in your hotel stay. 

Priority Club Promotion Credit – To be, or not to be, that is the question

Some hotels will post these 2 nights for the price of 1 hotel stays as qualifying rates using this deal and some will not. The good news is the stay may qualify for the current stay twice and earn a free night Sweet Dilemma and Crack the Case promotions. The bad news is that some hotels will argue the rate is non-qualifying since it is less than 70% of standard published rates and you may have no luck getting Priority Club credit. In that case you need to just be happy with the great rate savings.

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life – Samuel Johnson

Loyalty Traveler priced some London city hotels over the slow business travel period from Christmas through December 30 and found some amazing bargains. The streets of London may not provide the most hospitable weather in late December, but hey, if a week in ultra-cheap upper upscale hotel rooms in central London is your idea of a suitable holiday, then IHG has the deals. And there is no need to limit yourself to London since there are hundreds of hotels around Europe to get these 2-for-1 rates.

Crowne Plaza London – The City offers a full two-room suite at $264 per night with breakfast included over December 24-26, 2010 during the “2 nights for the price of 1 special rate offerâ€.

Hotel Indigo London Paddington – Executive King with complimentary internet for 72 GBP per night. This rate requires another 18GBP in VAT. Currently totals out at USD$142 per night on a two-night stay. 

Holiday Inn London Mayfair as low as 49.50GBP per night for a double bed. 58.17GBP after 17.5% VAT.  That is $91.52USD per night all in for a room.

Executive King for 87.54GBP all-in  =  USD $137.76 per night. 

Holiday Inn London Mayfair – Special Rate Rules:

DESCRIPTION:
2 night minimum stay required. Special Savings! Reservations are final and require full prepayment for the entire stay. Credit card is charged between time of booking and day of arrival. No refunds if cancelled or changed.

ADDITIONAL RATE INFORMATION:
PURCHASE 1 NIGHT(S) AND GET 1 NIGHT(S) FREE

PLEASE NOTE:
Thank you for making your reservation on our web site.

RULES:
– MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DISCOUNTED NIGHTS IS 1.
– MUST STAY AT LEAST: 2 NIGHTS
– MUST STAY NO MORE THAN: 2 NIGHTS
– CHECK-IN TIME: 02:00 PM
– CHECK-OUT TIME: 12:00 PM

DEPOSIT RULES:
A deposit for the entire stay is due at time of booking.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Canceling your reservation or failing to arrive will result in forfeiture of your deposit. Taxes may apply. Failing to call or show before check-out time after the first night of a reservation will result in cancellation of the remainder of your reservation.

You can always splurge at the Holiday Inn London Mayfair with a One Bedroom Suite = USD $300 per night.

Crowne Plaza London Docklands (Dec 28-30, 2010)

 2 single beds = USD$165.81 for two nights or $82.81 per night.

Desiring more room? A King Bed Executive Suite with two rooms and a balcony, work desk, table and four chairs, sofa, free internet is 239.95GBP all-in for two nights. That works out to just $377 for two nights or USD$189 per night.

 

At hotel prices this low you can afford to take the kids too 

Holiday Inn Express London Limehouse

December 26-28, 2010 = 34.50GBP per night with VAT included.

That is a total nightly rate of USD$54.30 and within less than 4 miles of city center London.

Even better is the availability of a family room at this rate with a Double Bed and Double bed sofa for two adults and two kids. Travel and spend under $55 per day for a family of four at a Holiday Inn Express hotel in central London and even get your breakfast free. Now that is room rate value.

 

Pay attention to the 2-for-1 rate details 

Check these 2-for-1 rates carefully since some London hotels include the 17.5% VAT in the room rate and some do not. Also check for lounge access and complimentary breakfast rates which can save USD$50 to $80 per day when included in the room rate.

The main thing to keep in mind is the 2-for-1 rate is prepaid and does not allow cancellation. Show up and get the great bargain or you lose your money. You might consider trip insurance when booking nonrefundable rooms since you can get reimbursed if you miss the hotel stay due to something like an Icelandic volcano or a major U.S. snowstorm stranding you at an airport in the wrong city. 

There’s no Christmas for travel junkies.  

Better yet. Imagine a  rainy deserted street on a blustery Dickens fantasy Christmas holiday in modern day London. Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Dec 26) will find many closed places, but come December 27 the museums will be up and running.

I freely admit that Chinese food for Christmas Day dinner has certainly been my restaurant of choice on several travel holidays in many places.

I am feeling the urge to pack the raincoat and brolly right now.

And if you find yourself in London on Christmas Day – have a pint for me.