Marriott Rates Gouge Daytona Beach Bikers

Call me suspicious, but I just had to wonder about the press release issued Tuesday by Daytona Beach Marriott Hotels that bragged, “Bikers heading to Daytona Beach Bike Week this year will find rates worth getting revved up (emphasis added) for at Courtyard Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport and Residence Inn Daytona Speedway/Airport.”

It went on to state, “Gearing up for the 74^th annual Bike Week, Marriott’s Daytona Beach hotels invite travelers to experience the ride of a lifetime while enjoying low rates in convenient accommodations to the world-famous motorcycle rally. Bikers heading to the opening weekend of Bike Week on March 6-7, 2015, can book accommodations at Courtyard starting at just $229 a night or relax in spacious suites starting at $299 a night at Residence Inn.

The press release then added, “Guests heading to the fun March 12-15, 2015, can also fuel the fun with discounted rates starting at $299 a night at Courtyard or$309 a night at Residence Inn.”

Daytona Beach Bike Week runs from Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 16.

Because I was suspicious, I went to the Courtyard Daytona Beach’s website to check on rates outside of Daytona Beach Bike Week. Not surprisingly, I found rooms on the weekend after the 74th annual gathering starting at $134 – or less than half what the hotel is charging during the event. The week before the event the base rate was even cheaper – $124 a night.

The story was the same at the Residence Inn. A room the weekend after Daytona Beach Bike started at $189 – versus $309 during the bulk of the event. The week before rooms start $129.

I know it’s case of supply and demand. Rooms can be tough to find with thousands of riders in town, and it’s the stupid hotelier who doesn’t take advantage of the situation. It’s a safe bet that all places of lodging in the Daytona Beach area jack their rates for bike week.

But, please, don’t blatantly lie by promising “low rates” and “discounted rates” when it just isn’t true.