My Hotwire Hotel Reveal: Amazing Hotels for the Best Deals

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Hotwire Hot Rate Hotels

Hot Rate Hotels are hotels you book without knowing the exact name first.

Hotwire has negotiated deals with these hotels to help them sell unused hotel rooms at a discounted rate.

We recently booked an NYC hotel room just a block from Rockefeller Center at Christmas for less than $150, including breakfast.

If you have ever priced hotel rooms during Christmas in New York City, then you know that is a steal. And it wasn’t a dump, either!

My system has helped me identify the name of the Hot Rate hotel time and time again.

Step 1: Know Your Destination

Before you dive into booking, have a general idea of the area where you want to stay.

For example, if you’re heading to New York City, do you want to be near Times Square, Central Park, or Brooklyn?

Hotwire lets you narrow your search to specific neighborhoods, which helps you avoid booking a hotel miles from the action.

You can choose your desired area by clicking on the interactive map and highlighting the areas, or by clicking on the pull-down menu.

Once your ideal location for a hotel room is selected, the Hotwire hotels list will only include hotels in that area.

Step 2: Set Your Filters

Once you’re on the Hotwire website or app and have identified your ideal locations, you need to set your filters.

I’m not here for 2-star motels or places that look like a horror movie set. I’ll adjust the filters to show only 4- and 5-star hotels, and I’ll pick neighborhoods that work best for my plans.

Pro tip: Hotwire will show you the general area where the hotel is located, so use that map to make sure it’s convenient for your trip.

My above example will generate a 4 and 5-star Hotwire hotels list. The hotels will be in either Times Square or the Empire State/Rockefeller Center area, with four-star guest ratings.

Make sure you are on the tab at the top that says All Hotels.

Step 3: Read the Clues

Here’s the fun part. Hotwire gives you clues about the hotel you’re booking.

Sometimes, you’ll even see a photo or a “Last person booked this hotel” hint that narrows it down.

I’ve become a bit of a Hotwire detective over the years.

Each Hot Rate hotel listing shows the hotel class, the location, the guest ratings, the number of Expedia reviews, and the price per night.

Three of those items help me determine which hotel I am likely to get in my booking:

• the star rating (where the blue arrow in my picture above points)
• the guest ratings
• the number of Expedia reviews (circled above in blue)

Once you know those three numbers, scroll down the hotel list until you view the listings with actual hotel names.

Compare those numbers with the Hot Rate hotel listing you are considering.

This is the magic of the Hotwire hotel reveal. By matching those three numbers, I have been almost 100% successful in identifying which hotel I will get before I book.

Step 4: Make the Leap

Once you’ve narrowed down your options and feel confident about the hotel, it’s time to book.

Yes, there’s a little thrill in clicking that “Book” button without knowing the exact name.

But remember, I’ve done this dozens of times, and I’ve always ended up at a great place.

And when you see how much you’re saving compared to booking directly, it feels like winning the travel lottery.

Step 5: Follow Up with the Hotel

Here’s a step many people skip, but it’s a game-changer.

The day after I book my Hot Rate hotel, I email the hotel to confirm they received my reservation.

This is a good chance to let them know if you have any special requests, like needing a crib or asking for a room with a view.

Hotels are usually happy to accommodate when you’ve made contact ahead of time.

Other Hotwire Hotel Reveal Tips

• Hotwire hotel lists sometimes show three possible hotel choices. Look for the “What hotel will I get?” button in the bottom right corner. This can help you narrow down your search even more.

• Once I know which hotel is possible, I always check the current reviews on TripAdvisor. If the reviews are not good, I keep looking for another possible hotel from the list.

• Before booking the hotel room, preview the total amount due, including taxes. If the total price is agreeable, you can purchase it. Beware: sometimes, hotels indicate that a resort fee must be paid in person.

• Once you purchase a Hot Rate hotel, you cannot cancel. Trip insurance is often offered at checkout for a nominal fee.

Over the years, this method has saved us hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. We have successfully used Hotwire everywhere in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.

Hotwire’s Secret Weapon: Rental Cars

While we’re talking about Hotwire, let me share another tip.

Hotwire’s Hot Rate deals aren’t just for hotels; they work for rental cars, too.

I’ve scored luxury SUVs for less than the price of a compact car by using the same strategy: set your filters, read the clues, and book with confidence.

It’s perfect if you need a ride for your trip.

Real-Life Wins

Let’s talk results. Using Hotwire, I’ve stayed at:

• A chic boutique Seattle hotel in the busy summer with fabulous amenities before an Alaskan cruise for under $200 a night.
• A beachfront resort in Aruba that would’ve cost three times as much if I booked directly.
• A trendy hotel in Chicago’s River North neighborhood that was steps from restaurants and nightlife

Each time, the savings were significant, and the hotels exceeded my expectations. Sure, there’s always a tiny bit of uncertainty when you’re booking, but I’ve learned to trust the process—and TripAdvisor’s reviews—to guide me.

Final Thoughts

If you’re someone who loves a good deal and doesn’t mind a little mystery, these Hotwire hotel reveal tips are a fantastic way to save money on your next trip.

By following my steps—knowing your destination, setting filters, reading the clues, making the leap, and following up—you can book with confidence and enjoy amazing stays at a fraction of the cost.

So, what are you waiting for?

Go give Hotwire a try, and let me know what incredible deals you find. Who knows, maybe your next adventure will start with a Hotwire hotel reveal that takes you somewhere unforgettable.