Secret Escapes: Discounts on High-End Hotels

Finding cheap hotels and resorts is a chore often relegated to Groupon, Travelzoo or other discount-wielding websites. But there is another web service that clues travelers into inexpensive room rates at 4- and 5-star properties around the world.

When hotels don’t manage to rent out all the rooms for a specific time period, they turn to Secret Escapes to advertise properties for seriously discounted rates in order to fill the rooms. Sign-up is free and members can set e-mail preferences to receive notifications about cheap rates in a specific area or for a specific time period. Discounts are hand-picked by the Secret Escapes team, delivered to members each week and can feature prices up to 70 percent off the original room rate. The sale prices delivered to members typically last 10 days, perfect to grab for a last-minute getaway.

Secret Escapes also offers “smart stays,” hand-selected 3- and 4-star hotels that typically include dinner with the room rate. The site touts these holidays as more affordable and better suited for travelers who tend to spend less time in their hotel and more time outdoors.

In addition to e-mail alerts, members can visit the site or use the mobile app to search for deals, as well. Searches can be narrowed by location, hotels better for solo travelers, romantic trips or spa and city breaks.