We took the labor out of your vacation planning

For holiday getaways, all deals are relative, even in a recession.

Lodging prices in general are down an average of 20 percent from last year, according to hotel managers from Northern Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley.  But if you’re thinking of a cheap weekend in Virginia Beach, you’re too late. Those hotels are booked solid.

Still, travelers who are flexible on location and accommodations can still find great deals for Labor Day. For example, visitors to the Williamsburg Lodge can get a $100 voucher good for golf at the Golden Horseshoe or historic sightseeing with a night’s stay. Read more

“Vacancy” signs stay on this year

Even with Memorial Day around the corner, it doesn’t feel like  a time to celebrate for Virginia’s hotel operators.

Demand around Virginia is slackening as business travelers and tourists spend less time on the road. Even hotels in markets that have rarely seen a dip — like Charlottesville — are cutting rates and coming up with new promotions. Read more