Checking In - West April 2010

That’s the question many planners are asking when considering the bargain-basement price tag attached to meetings at luxury properties these days.

If you’re not planning for a company under the thumb of government bailout funds or otherwise constrained because of a fear—one based in reality—of placing your high-profile organization on the perception hot seat, the economic tides are running in your favor, but maybe not for long.

The highest-performing hotel segment just a few years ago, the luxury tier is making a strong comeback, according to statistics from hospitality industry firm Smith Travel Research (STR), which said luxury will fare better than any other segment in terms of occupancy in 2010. STR also noted that the luxury hotel segment has recently experienced several months of growth, in the 5 percent to 8 percent range.

All this means that the window of opportunity is closing for tapping this rarefied tier before prices once again reflect the supply and demand situation. Low room rates? Value-adds? Book it now before it goes away.

Check out Maria Lenhart’s cover story,  to see where the luxury hotels bargains are, and start working on those talking points to give your group a well-earned taste of the good life.