Effects of holidays on Miami lodging and room availability

Although more and more Miami lodging facilities are efected annually, rooms are often scarce during the busiest times of the year. At peak holidays, it is often difficult to book Miami vacation packages as people from around the world vie for space in Miami lodging facilities.

The busiest holidays in the city are undoubtedly those that are celebrated around the world, such as Christmas, New Year's and Easter. Finding discounts on Miami vacation packages at these times of year is very difficult; however, if you are willing to visit Miami the week before or the week after, you may have some success in negotiating a discounted rate. If you absolutely have to visit Miami on a peak holiday, book in advance; the most desirable areas, like South Beach, fill up quickly.

U.S. holidays, such as Independence Day and Memorial Day also draw guests to Miami. Traditionally, Americans take advantage of paid days off to make travel plans. As a result, the mid-season rates may jump on the weeks in which these holidays fall. International holidays also have a major impact on the cost of extended stays in Miami. Each country has its own traditions for holidays. For example, students in France receive holidays every six weeks. You should always research what U.S. and international holidays fall within the timeframe during which you wish to travel to Miami in order to anticipate how early to book and how fiercely you will need to negotiate for a good deal.

If you're a foreign traveler, you'll need a thorough understanding of U.S. holidays prior to making arrangements for any of the weekly Miami vacation rentals available in the city. Many Americans choose to travel over holiday periods when they have time off from work, making Miami lodging more crowded and expensive. To get the best rates on weekly Miami vacation rentals, avoid holidays or make reservations for the week preceding or following the busy time.

Here is a list of U.S. holidays and a description of their impact on Miami lodging:

 

• New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are held on December 31 and January 1, respectively. New Year's is one of the busiest holidays in Miami Beach.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is held on the third Monday in January. The day is used to celebrate African-American history and is not a prime time for travel.
• Valentine's Day takes place on February 14 annually. Many Americans head to Miami for romantic Valentine's Day getaways and to beat the cold weather found throughout much of the country at this time of year.
• President's Day is the third Monday in February and is used to honor the life of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. This is not a popular time for traveling.
• Spring Break from colleges and universities in the United States usually occurs sometime in March and may or may not coincide with Easter, depending on the schools. College students frequently travel to Miami to enjoy their breaks, resulting in large crowds.
• Easter occurs on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox or the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere. Since Easter is a worldwide holiday, this time period is a peak season for Miami.
• Memorial Day is held on the last Monday in May. Memorial Day is seen by many Americans as the official start of summer and is a popular time for traveling.
• Independence Day is held on July 4 every year and is one of the top times that Americans take vacations.
• Labor Day occurs on the first Monday in September each year. Because it usually coincides with the busy back-to-school time period, the date is not as popular for travel as Memorial Day and Independence Day.
• Columbus Day falls on the second Monday in October. Most employers do not give Columbus Day off, and it is not a popular day for travel.
• Halloween falls on October 31. While many people decorate and have parties for the holiday, it is not a legal day off from work in the United States. Traveling for Halloween is not common.
• Veterans' Day is held on November 11 each year. Like Columbus Day, the holiday is not usually celebrated by employers, meaning that people do not view this as a time for vacations.
• Thanksgiving is held on the fourth Thursday in November each year. Some Americans choose to travel this weekend, while others prefer to remain at home. Black Friday is the name given to the day after Thanksgiving when stores have good deals to kick off the Christmas shopping season. If you're traveling in Miami on Black Friday, you can expect big crowds at the malls in the area.
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are on December 24 and 25 each year. As international holidays, they are extremely busy travel dates in Miami.