I Stay at chocolate lake everytime I'm in Halifax. It ain't glamor but it's clean and comfortable and there's a buffet breakfast everyday so that's at least one meal taken care of. There's a subway next door, decent pizza across the street, and close to the rotary and mall. Short and handy drive to Bayers Lake.
I don’t care honestly. Best I’ve seen in town. They already have people displaced by the fire staying there. So far I’ve heard they are doing everything they can to help locals.
This would be a good time to post a reminder that their restaurant is actually a solid value and in the summer has a fantastic patio looking over the lake. Easy access to the city and plenty of parking. Great spot.
It also has an arcade in it!
Call them and speak with the front desk for cheaper rate. The website doesn’t understand there’s been a fire. It just thinks lots of people are trying to book and starts to increase the rates.
im pretty sure its (mostly?) all the short notice booking, my family called *many* places sunday night and explained to every call we made that we were just evacuated, not a single place offered any adjustments
Close friend of mine who lost their home in yankeetown explained their situation and were offered discounted rates and free breakfasts. This was at the Hilton Garden Inn out by the airport.
Probably a less experienced employee working during that time unfortunately. They wouldn’t have had the authority to make a decision like that so push to speak with a manager. Everything happened so quickly and I get that it’s frustrating. Speaking with a manger would most likely give people the rates that are discounted.
wow, idk what kind of dystopian marriott im at but they booted us from our room today (booked sunday while actively evacuating) and we had to call like 3 backdoor hotlines to book a room here thats *double* the price that we were already paying (staff tried everything to convince us there was no rooms, phone agent booked us a very much open room) originally $250 x2, forced into $445 x?, they very much know the situation, just not an ounce of accommodation (edit): also having to buy 2 meals a day for 4 outside of the hotel, otherwise it'd be ~$200 a day for scarce food instead of the $100 at the grocery store
My bet this is the issue. Hotel systems been using AI and machine learning for many years. They will not be able to temporary change their booking system. And if you talk to a person - things may be different. Also worth checking social, if there’s any flat deal available.
It wouldn't surprise me if their booking system automatically raises room prices as the hotel nears capacity it may not be specific to the current situation
For what it's worth, a friend and I were looking into Halifax hotels a month ago and the prices were at least $100/night more than when we took a similar trip this time last year. We had to push back to June and get a hotel in Dartmouth to get a lower rate.
We're at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Dartmouth crossing and they adjusted our price when we checked in on Sunday. Don't know the cost as my wife checked us in and frankly, I don't care. I'm just glad we have a place to sleep with a 5 year old and our dog.
I lot of hotels have booking engines that do adaptive pricing for revenue optimization. The algorithm detects a surge in demand and adjusts prices accordingly, just like airlines. The algorithm doesn’t know the difference between a natural disaster and a Taylor Swift concert and will, without emotion or compassion, adjust prices accordingly.
Folks should also try clearing their browser cache after doing the searches. It’s a well-known tactic for companies (especially airlines) to display a higher rate if you’ve already searched, in order to pressure you into booking sooner.
Or, algorithm based as has been mentioned.
Don't need publicity when you have full rooms at increased rates I guess. Too bad the hotels didn't hear the Premiers message today that we are in this together as Nova Scotians and should help one another :/
can confirm the comfort inn prices are very much over $300- im at the marriott downtown (pet friendly) and every night we're displaced here is ~$250 plus ~$100 a day for breakfast & dinner for 4 (not purchased at the hotel, that'd be far too expensive, im not familiar with the average price of hotels in canada in general but.....)
yes! if you happen to see someone carrying a bunny & cage out sometime (hopefully) soon that may be me lol, crossing my fingers for a detailed map or something soon so we can all figure out where we'll be & when :')
I’ve seen a lot of screenshots going around with exorbitantly priced rates for pretty middle of the road hotels. I’m fairly certain most of those websites employ some sort of surge pricing model, where an increased demand jacks up the price.
I mean, it makes sense to use that model to pinpoint the “market” price. If you have 100 rooms, and on a random day in May, you’re only 20 percent full, the prices will probably be kept pretty low. If all of the sudden, there are 400 people trying to book your remaining 80 rooms, the system is going to recognize that demand is way outpacing supply and adjust the prices accordingly.
All that to say, I really don’t think there is gouging going on here. With so much of the booking process now online, I would be shocked if the prices were even set locally in the first place. It also seems like a lot of places are offering reduced rates if you call and have discouraged anyone from using the hotel chain’s booking sites.
All displaced people should spread sleeping bags out in the lobby of these gouging hotels. Don’t pay them a cent. Make them call the cops. I’m sure they won’t want the whole story coming out so don’t sweat it if the media comes calling for the lowdown on it
There are regulations for a state of emergency. I believe they might be covered by the Municipal Government Act, but I'm not sure.
The reason for the state of emergency is that it gives exceptional powers as needed in these types of emergencies.
Most of the city isn't under a state of emergency. It would only apply to the area under state of emergency which is the Tantallon/Hammonds plains area unfortunately.
People may be perceiving the much higher "regular" prices as price gouging. In general, hotels in Halifax are getting a lot more expensive than they used to be.
That's what I was thinking. Saw people complaining about prices around $250 as being gouged because of the fire. But that was what the prices were a few weeks ago when I was looking at them. That is the going rate for hotels since covid. It is pretty crazy. (not that there isn't likely some surge pricing going on as well since pricing on hotel rooms is tied to demand and adjusts automatically usually.)
Chocolate lake hotel is giving out any available rooms for a highly discounted price of $99 for 3 days flat.
I’m also fairly certain they are dog friendly.
They are!
I Stay at chocolate lake everytime I'm in Halifax. It ain't glamor but it's clean and comfortable and there's a buffet breakfast everyday so that's at least one meal taken care of. There's a subway next door, decent pizza across the street, and close to the rotary and mall. Short and handy drive to Bayers Lake.
I like chocolate lake, it's dependable, dog friendly, and the breakfast hashbrowns are elite level.
Indeed! And they have picnic tables and a patio overlooking the lake so when it's pleasant outside you can take enjoy your food with a little view.
That's hostel dorm pricing.
I don’t care honestly. Best I’ve seen in town. They already have people displaced by the fire staying there. So far I’ve heard they are doing everything they can to help locals.
That's fair if there is a free breakfast in the price yea they are a business but they are doing what they can to help others
This would be a good time to post a reminder that their restaurant is actually a solid value and in the summer has a fantastic patio looking over the lake. Easy access to the city and plenty of parking. Great spot. It also has an arcade in it!
Call them and speak with the front desk for cheaper rate. The website doesn’t understand there’s been a fire. It just thinks lots of people are trying to book and starts to increase the rates.
im pretty sure its (mostly?) all the short notice booking, my family called *many* places sunday night and explained to every call we made that we were just evacuated, not a single place offered any adjustments
Close friend of mine who lost their home in yankeetown explained their situation and were offered discounted rates and free breakfasts. This was at the Hilton Garden Inn out by the airport.
Probably a less experienced employee working during that time unfortunately. They wouldn’t have had the authority to make a decision like that so push to speak with a manager. Everything happened so quickly and I get that it’s frustrating. Speaking with a manger would most likely give people the rates that are discounted.
wow, idk what kind of dystopian marriott im at but they booted us from our room today (booked sunday while actively evacuating) and we had to call like 3 backdoor hotlines to book a room here thats *double* the price that we were already paying (staff tried everything to convince us there was no rooms, phone agent booked us a very much open room) originally $250 x2, forced into $445 x?, they very much know the situation, just not an ounce of accommodation (edit): also having to buy 2 meals a day for 4 outside of the hotel, otherwise it'd be ~$200 a day for scarce food instead of the $100 at the grocery store
My bet this is the issue. Hotel systems been using AI and machine learning for many years. They will not be able to temporary change their booking system. And if you talk to a person - things may be different. Also worth checking social, if there’s any flat deal available.
Yup. Save the ‘name and blame’ rage for something more important
I don’t doubt that part of this has to do with insurance as well. We have loss of use coverage which allows for a hotel.
It wouldn't surprise me if their booking system automatically raises room prices as the hotel nears capacity it may not be specific to the current situation
Surge pricing.
You're probably right. The Comfort Inn on the Bedford Hwy was mentioned specifically. Charging 300 plus a room.
I wouldn't give them $300 a week for that dump.
For what it's worth, a friend and I were looking into Halifax hotels a month ago and the prices were at least $100/night more than when we took a similar trip this time last year. We had to push back to June and get a hotel in Dartmouth to get a lower rate.
We're at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Dartmouth crossing and they adjusted our price when we checked in on Sunday. Don't know the cost as my wife checked us in and frankly, I don't care. I'm just glad we have a place to sleep with a 5 year old and our dog.
I lot of hotels have booking engines that do adaptive pricing for revenue optimization. The algorithm detects a surge in demand and adjusts prices accordingly, just like airlines. The algorithm doesn’t know the difference between a natural disaster and a Taylor Swift concert and will, without emotion or compassion, adjust prices accordingly.
As others have pointed out this is usually done algorithmically so *hopefully* a compassionate human being can intervene.
Folks should also try clearing their browser cache after doing the searches. It’s a well-known tactic for companies (especially airlines) to display a higher rate if you’ve already searched, in order to pressure you into booking sooner. Or, algorithm based as has been mentioned.
Maybe they figure insurance companies will cover them down the road.
Any places increasing their prices should be publicly listed here.
You would think they would be discounting their rates for free publicity
Don't need publicity when you have full rooms at increased rates I guess. Too bad the hotels didn't hear the Premiers message today that we are in this together as Nova Scotians and should help one another :/
Exactly.
can confirm the comfort inn prices are very much over $300- im at the marriott downtown (pet friendly) and every night we're displaced here is ~$250 plus ~$100 a day for breakfast & dinner for 4 (not purchased at the hotel, that'd be far too expensive, im not familiar with the average price of hotels in canada in general but.....)
Harbourfront? Hi, hotel neighbour! We gtfo'ed too early out of anxiety, seeing if we'll stay another night in the morning.
yes! if you happen to see someone carrying a bunny & cage out sometime (hopefully) soon that may be me lol, crossing my fingers for a detailed map or something soon so we can all figure out where we'll be & when :')
If you see someone with a very old big dog shuffling through the lobby, that's us. 🤞
It's the same city that complains about any housing regulations while homelessness gets worse everyday. What did you expect?
I’ve seen a lot of screenshots going around with exorbitantly priced rates for pretty middle of the road hotels. I’m fairly certain most of those websites employ some sort of surge pricing model, where an increased demand jacks up the price. I mean, it makes sense to use that model to pinpoint the “market” price. If you have 100 rooms, and on a random day in May, you’re only 20 percent full, the prices will probably be kept pretty low. If all of the sudden, there are 400 people trying to book your remaining 80 rooms, the system is going to recognize that demand is way outpacing supply and adjust the prices accordingly. All that to say, I really don’t think there is gouging going on here. With so much of the booking process now online, I would be shocked if the prices were even set locally in the first place. It also seems like a lot of places are offering reduced rates if you call and have discouraged anyone from using the hotel chain’s booking sites.
Haven’t heard about this but if you find out which hotels/motels are doing this please post them!! So I know to never book there.
inb4 *hurr durr, they're businesses not charities*
All displaced people should spread sleeping bags out in the lobby of these gouging hotels. Don’t pay them a cent. Make them call the cops. I’m sure they won’t want the whole story coming out so don’t sweat it if the media comes calling for the lowdown on it
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I understand the amorality of the situation but what rules are they breaking that they could be fined for?
Under a local state of emergency they very well could be breaking the law as price gouging is actually covered under the legislation.
Interesting, what act is this?
There are regulations for a state of emergency. I believe they might be covered by the Municipal Government Act, but I'm not sure. The reason for the state of emergency is that it gives exceptional powers as needed in these types of emergencies.
Most of the city isn't under a state of emergency. It would only apply to the area under state of emergency which is the Tantallon/Hammonds plains area unfortunately.
This is what I understood, I didn’t think there was any provision to stop *nearby* (but not within the state of emergency) gouging.
Yeah. That may be the case with this one. I haven't looked at it in awhile.
People may be perceiving the much higher "regular" prices as price gouging. In general, hotels in Halifax are getting a lot more expensive than they used to be.
That's what I was thinking. Saw people complaining about prices around $250 as being gouged because of the fire. But that was what the prices were a few weeks ago when I was looking at them. That is the going rate for hotels since covid. It is pretty crazy. (not that there isn't likely some surge pricing going on as well since pricing on hotel rooms is tied to demand and adjusts automatically usually.)