Miami hotels in the past two months have been filled thanks to the recent Super Bowl as well as spring break.
For the week ending March 6, Miami hotels occupancy rose to 79.9 percent from 67.7 percent one year prior. Occupancy in Palm Beach County rose to 77.2 percent from 68.2 percent. According to the latest figures from Smith Travel Research, Broward’s occupancy rose to 76.7 from 70.8 percent.
Occupancy across the U.S. rose to 54.9 from 52.8 percent.
Average daily room rates were up substantially for Miami hotels but continued to slide in Broward and Palm Beach.
The rates for Miami hotels rose 10.1 percent, to $189.37 from $171.98. Broward rates fell 1.8 percent, to $129.73 from $132.10. Palm Beach County rates fell 6.8 percent, to $153.38 from $164.65.
Rates fell 3 percent across the U.S., to $96.05 from $98.98.
Scott Brush, a hotel industry consultant with Miami-based Brush & Co, says rates are improving because Miami hotels have not decreased the prices to pre-Super Bowl rates.
And of course Spring break was also a factor, he noted.
Orbitz, an online travel retailer, recently noted that Miami Beach ranked sixth on its list of top 10 spring break travel destinations this year.
Compared to 2008, rates are down more than 16 percent despite Miami-Dade’s year-over-year uptick in rates and occupancy.
Contributed by MLR Realty
