Found out the hard way that hostels can negotiate room rates

I was booking a hostel in Lisbon last week and saw a dorm bed for 28 euros a night. On a whim I emailed them directly asking if they could do 22 euros for a 4 night stay. They actually came back with 20 euros a night if I paid cash at check in. I saved 32 euros total just by asking. Has anyone else had luck negotiating with hostels or hotels directly?

2 comments

2 Comments

charles5081mo ago

Tried the same thing at a hostel in Barcelona last year and talked them down from 35 to 25 a night just by offering to stay a week. The trick is asking late at night when they know that bed is probably staying empty anyway.

lunashah1mo ago

Barcelona hostels are usually full enough in summer that 25 euros a night is a steal, not a deal. I tried that late-night trick in Prague and got laughed at because the receptionist had a waitlist of people willing to pay full price. Timing only works if the place is actually desperate, not just pretending to be.