Hotels for tonight: same-day hotel booking

How same-day booking works

Our phone line is staffed Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm, so for a same-day room call as early in the day as you can. Tell the agent where you need to be, what time you expect to arrive, how many people are staying and your budget. The agent checks what is available and comes back with options, saying what each price includes.

If you contact us outside those hours, send the quote form and we reply as soon as we can. We cannot confirm a room for tonight until an agent has spoken to you, so if you need a room outside those hours, for example on a Sunday or late in the evening, you may also want to check with hotels directly.

Tips for finding a room at short notice

• Be flexible on area. A hotel a few stops away on public transport is often easier to find than one in the exact spot you want.
• Be flexible on room type. A twin room instead of a double, or a smaller room, can open up more choice.
• Tell the hotel if you will arrive late. Check-in often opens from mid-afternoon, and some smaller hotels have no reception desk overnight.
• Check the cancellation terms. Last-minute rates are sometimes non-refundable.
• Ask for the total price. Include taxes, parking and any resort or city fees.
• Watch for event nights. Concerts, sporting fixtures and conferences can fill hotels across an area.

Are last-minute hotel prices cheaper?

Sometimes, and sometimes not. A hotel with empty rooms may lower its price close to the date, but a hotel that is nearly full usually will not. Near busy events or in peak season, last-minute prices can be higher than booking ahead. The only way to know is to compare for your date, which is what we do on the call.

What to have ready

• where you need to be, and how close it needs to be
• your expected arrival time
• the number of guests, and the number of nights
• your budget
• whether you need parking, a lift or step-free access

If tonight does not work out

If nothing suitable is available tonight, we can look at tomorrow, at a nearby area, or at a different kind of hotel. If you can plan ahead, read our guide to last-minute hotel deals and our page on booking hotels near you.

After you call

Once the agent has your details, they check what is available and come back with options. Each option states what the price covers, whether taxes and fees are included, and what the cancellation terms are. Take a moment to read these before you say yes, because last-minute rates can be less flexible than rates booked well in advance. If you accept, ask the agent to confirm the booking details by email, including the hotel name, the dates, and the total price.

What we cannot do

We cannot guarantee a room for tonight, and we cannot confirm availability outside our phone hours. We would rather tell you that now than leave you waiting.