Money hacks Seven steps to the best deal on a hotel in the UK

Leisure travellers often book over the weekend, when they have more time to plan.

- Helen Dewdney

However, by early in the week, business travel schedules are usually confirmed, which can free up rooms. As a result, by around Tuesday, availability is often clearer, and booking websites may reduce prices to fill those spaces for near-term bookings.

If you can be flexible, booking at short notice can sometimes pay off. Many hotels and platforms operate cancellation window policies of 24-48 hours, and if people cancel close to the date, the hotel would rather sell the room than leave it empty. It’s a risky gamble but sometimes you can get a great deal by booking after 6pm on the day. However, with chains such as Premier Inn and Travelodge, Linda Reynolds at Personal Travel Agents recommends booking early, as they often release “saver” rates months in advance. For example, at the time of writing, Premier Inn was advertising rooms starting from £45 a night for stays between 1 October this year and 31 January 2026.