Nice package: How to secure a hotel deal this summer

Be flexible with your dates; consider multiple destinations; and always compare like with like, writes Tom Breathnach

The Hotel Minella, Clonmel

'What can you do for me?' — words every hard-balling Irish consumer likes to utter when booking a hotel break. But this summer, Irish hotels seem to be answering the call for value, with deals, special offers and packages all over the country. Last week, I was invited to be a speaker at an Irish Hotels Federation webinar, virtually attended by 300 member hotels and guesthouses. 

Fronted by group president and fervent media voice, Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, the aim of the meet-up was to offer a marketing regroup to the industry at this crucial pre-season time. And as traditional hotel rooms are losing the booking wars with self-catering competition, this was a key time for a member-wide check-in.