We're travelling to South Florida in mid July and are looking for a nice hotel for a great price. i have stayed at plenty of good ones, but for some reason, I'm having a hard time finding a good rate during that timeframe. I have stayed at the Marriot Harbor Beach Cllub before, and loved it, but the only good deal puts me in a non-view standard room. I thought that the hotels would be pretty vacant during mid July, but the ones that I want are blacked out (Loews Miami was first choice). I want to spend around 150 bucks a night, but I'm still convinced that I can do better. I have tried AAA, but they aren't offering anything special. I need some inside scoop on how to find an incredible rate. I'm usually pretty good at this stuff, but I think that I'm losing my touch. For what it's worth, I know that I can stay at some 4 stars for around 150, but they are standard rooms, and I want to do better. Ideally, I want a 4 star for around 125, or a 5 star for 150. I'm leary of Hotwire and priceline because I never tried them before. Usually I stay at Loews, but they won't give me anything for cheap during that time. I already have airfare booked, so going west coast is out of the question. The clock is ticking and I'm starting to panic. Any good suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

If you want to name your own price on Priceline, you can see the hotels and get info on them (a la Hotwire). That feature is new- Shop and Compare I think is the name of the new option.

If you want to really get a deal, then go to www.biddingfortravel.com to see that hotels are in the area (for PL) and then look at the message boards to get an idea of what to bid. You can get great deals that way.

Call Pelican Beach Resort in FLL. Tell them you want to stay in the "new" hotel. Or, Lago Mar. Also FLL.

I'll keep searching around. Thanks for the tip on biddingfortravel. Unfortunately the last few questions that I have asked on Fodors haven't generated many responses. Somebody has to know something about this.

The reason you are having a hard time finding really good deals in South Florida is because they are experiencing record breaking advanced reservations.

No longer are the summer months off season for south Florida and in fact it is now referred to as the second season or family season. More and more families are making this area a summer destination choice and with the rise of the Euro and fall of the dollar, so are many Europeans.

Basing your hotel rate on historical rates isn't doing you a bit of good and my be undermining your efforts.

Make a backup reservation and then start the bargain hunting.

Interesting. I never factored in the Euro and the fact that South Florida has become a summer vacation spot. Back in the old days (like a couple of years ago), they were practically giving away rooms during the summer season. We're going down there to visit relatives and their newborn, otherwise I wouldn't even think of battling the blazing heat in southern Florida during July. It makes sense now. My only problem with reserving right away is that most of the good deals seem to be non refundable. This seems standard for the Marriot chain on their good rates. I'm still determined to find a great rate and I will keep searching. Thanks GoTravel.

pete, I just got the South Beach Days Inn for $50 on priceline for the end of June.

Even though it is a Days Inn, I've seen it and it is nice, it is oceanfront, has a pool, and is across 21st Street from the Outback Steakhouse (cold, cold beer and cheesefries).