I've seen some recent posts where people refer to doing this. We always stay in the smaller less expensive mom and pop type places whether pensione, auberge, b & b, hostal in Spain, gausthaus, small family-run hotel, private rental apartment etc. Do people really ask for a better rate after they've already been quoted a rate? Is this successful usually?

Hi J,

It never hopes to ask for the lowest possible rate.

Sometimes you can get discounts for cash and/or for 3-4 day stays.

I asked the same question at one time. I think you just ask for the best price and take what they offer if it works. It is not like in the US where you are nuts for just paying the rack rate. The prices are pretty well set, especially at smaller family owned places.

I have contacted dozens of hotels in Italy, and I always ask if they give a discount for cash. Almost all of them have responded with a credit card rate and a lower cash rate.

this technique works great when you arrive at the front desk without a reservation, very often you can get a higher priced room or suite because you don't have a reservation and you can neg.

It doesn;t need to be smaller, less expensive hotels. If we're staying 5 or 6 nights even in an upscale hotel - esp when we were taking a second room for the girls - when we got the first quote we would always ask if their were any discounts or special offers available - and there almost always were. (Unless the hotel is really going to be full.)