Twice a year, I go to an AI around here.
What I do is, that I shop around on most all the different "discount" travel search engines on the net and try to keep the region within the DR pretty much open.
Some engines try to lure you with "offers" which turns out "per person",
you don't want those as they double up for most rooms are being sold as double occupancy anyways.
But anyways, I've always been able to find an AI WAY under $100.oo
per night/room and even squeeze some kids into the room rate for "free". The cheapest one was $62.oo/night, I took 2 rooms (total $124.oo/night) and we were a party of 8 with the kids! $15.50/pax!! The kids alone went thru "free" ice cream and soda pop for more than that!
Funny thing thou, most every time (except once), the search has led me to a different hotel. So, it's not by hotels that prices go, they go by wholesale, how tour operators dump their contracted bulk rooms and how they are booked, just like flights.
Unless there is a special offer for groups or business sectors or schools (universities mostly), rates offered LOCALLY can't compete with what is found on the net.
... just to mention a "few". Yes, it's a bit like work... but a night googeling your hotel can save you hundreds.
... J-D.
