SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - May 19, 2015) - Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer for many, and to help people make the most of the holiday weekend, HotelTonight has analyzed its hotel data to uncover the best destinations and deals for last minute Memorial Day travel. While airline prices are trending down, the leading last-minute hotel booking app found that this isn't the case for hotels, as rates are up an average of five percent year over year. However, the company found that waiting until the last minute will be the key to saving on hotels for Memorial Day and beyond: the data shows that there are great last-minute savings to be had in top destinations.

"We've been keeping a close eye on travel trends for the summer, and while travelers are getting huge advantages through the strong dollar and decline in airfares, hotel rates are peaking in anticipation of the crowds," said Sam Shank, co-founder and CEO, HotelTonight. "Our data shows that booking last minute is key to saving on room rates this summer."

In analyzing historical and trending hotel pricing data, HotelTonight found that the average daily room rate in the United States for the Memorial Day weekend is $130, an increase of five percent over 2014. While prices are up on average, HotelTonight found several cities where travelers can save, including:

• Las Vegas hotels are on average 55 percent cheaper during the end of May YOY. Travelers can also find significant savings in San Diego (30 percent less); New Orleans (21 percent less); San Francisco (16 percent less); and New York City (14 percent less).
• Cities where hotel room rates are on the rise this month include: Miami (21 percent more YOY); Seattle (20 percent more); and Philadelphia (10 percent more).

While hotel prices are up in certain popular destinations, travelers can still save on their vacations by being flexible with their plans:

• Travel early in the week. During May, travelers saved on average 11 percent on top of HotelTonight's already discounted rates on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights compared to the rest of the week.
• Wait until the very last minute. For example, by waiting until six or less hours before check-in (compared to booking seven days in advance), travelers can secure an additional 12 percent savings at hotels in San Francisco, nine percent in New York City, and seven percent in Boston.

To commemorate the beginning of summer and provide even more savings for travelers, HotelTonight has launched HT Roulette -- a series of rotating $99 room nights in destinations across the country. These deals are announced through HotelTonight's email and social channels and can be booked through the company's iOS, Android and Windows Phone apps, including the new HotelTonight for Apple Watch.

"As a company, we are all about surprise and delight, and we wanted to bring that feeling to consumers with our HT Roulette promotion. We've got a great list of top-notch hotels, and by taking a gamble, you could get the hotel room of your dreams for just $99," continued Shank.

Some of the cities where HotelTonight is offering these great rates include: Atlanta; Chicago; The Hamptons; Miami; Newport, RI; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia; and Seattle. In addition, the company is offering a contest to win the "Trip of a Lifetime." Every booking through May 21, 2015 automatically enters the booker to win round-trip flights for two, two nights at one of HotelTonight's iconic hotels, and spending cash. And, in true HotelTonight Roulette style, the destination will not be revealed until the day of the trip (though the winner will receive some hints about the weather!).

For more information on the special $99 rates, #HTRoulette or HotelTonight, visit https://www.hoteltonight.com/2015/05/ht-roulette/ or follow on Facebook (HotelTonight), Twitter (@HotelTonight), Instagram (HotelTonight) or SnapChat (HotelTonight).

How HotelTonight Works

• Book rooms on HotelTonight for tonight or up to a week out, at over 15,000 hotels in more than 500 destinations across the globe.
• Hotel rooms can be easily booked via the app in less than 10 seconds -- just three taps and a swipe from app launch to completed booking.
• All hotels are handpicked by the HotelTonight team, given a style category (like Basic, Hip or Luxe) and illustrated by mobile-optimized hotel photos.
• As the check-in date approaches and rooms remain unsold, hotels drop their rates. HotelTonight plays matchmaker between these hotels and guests who are looking for a great deal at a great hotel.
• HotelTonight also offers exclusive, localized rates that are customized to a specific city or neighborhood, offering even greater discounts to spur spontaneous adventures.

Methodology
To compile the list, HotelTonight combed through pricing data added by hotel partners and compared insights from May 2014 to May 2015 to determine Memorial Day price fluctuations and destinations most advantageous to travelers. Pricing includes HotelTonight's proprietary Localized Offers, which offer significant discounts up to 40 percent better than any other travel site.

About HotelTonight
Founded in 2010, HotelTonight is a mobile app for booking hand-selected hotels at exclusively low prices, from tonight to up to 7 days in advance. HotelTonight helps consumers plan less and live more, by offering incredible convenience and amazing value at hotels vetted by the HT team. For hotels, HotelTonight is a strategic partner for filling rooms that would otherwise remain empty. HotelTonight is currently available in more than 500 destinations across the globe. Based in San Francisco, California, HotelTonight is backed by top venture firms including Coatue Management, GGV Capital, U.S. Venture Partners, Accel Partners, Battery Ventures and First Round Capital and leading travel-industry pioneers. Visit www.hoteltonight.com for more information and to download the free app.