1. Home
    2. ›
  2. Lodging
    3. ›
  3. Last-Minute Lodging Tips

FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!

11th Hour Vacations to Cape Cod
Tips for Last-Minute Getaway Lodging

Have you ever noticed that your "11th hour vacations", the ones you take on the spur of the moment, often turn out to be your most memorable?

Whether it's a romantic weekend for two, or a surprise beach getaway for the kids, Cape Cod is the perfect last-minute vacation destination!

 

Solving the Last-Minute Lodging Challenge

Lodgings book up quickly here on the Cape, especially for prime-season in July and August. 

Is it possible to find a nice place to stay at the last minute? Sure! Just be prepared to spend a little time online and on the phone.

Before we get into the "how-to's", here are a few things to consider:

Single Night Stays

Finding accommodations for just one night is the biggest challenge of all. 
 
Why? 

Minimum stay requirements.

Many hotels, motels and inns on the Cape require at least a 2 or 3-night stay during peak season.

Entrance to DoubleTree hotel in Hyannis MA
Hilton Doubletree in Hyannis

For a single night stay, your best shot for a vacancy will be at one of the larger, name-brand hotels like the Hilton Doubletree in Hyannis or:


Mid-Week vs. Weekend

As you might imagine, summer weekends are the busiest time on the Cape. Friday or Saturday night vacancies are scarce.

So, what's the solution for last-minute weekend accommodations?

Research, research, and more research. And a little bit of luck ;-)

Better still ...

If your vacation schedule is flexible, come mid-week (Sunday - Thursday).

The Best Way to Find a Place to Stay

First, unless you're willing to risk sleeping in your car (which is seriously frowned upon by the local authorities, by the way!), don't be tempted to "wing it".

There's a better way. Trust me, there is!

Hotels, Motels, Inns & Resorts

For 11th hour reservations at a Cape Cod hotel, motel, inn or resort, try Trip Advisor. In my experience, they always seems to show more last-minute availability than many other big travel booking sites.

Even at the 11th hour on a summer weekend, TripAdvisor often has a decent selection of nice places to stay on the Cape - at reasonable rates, too. So I definitely recommend that you do a quick search to see what's on offer.

-->  Click here to find last-minute deals. 

Vacation Rentals

Vacation home owners and rental agents are always anxious to fill vacant weeks. So the 11th hour deals on a rental home or cottage can be pretty sweet.

Budget Saver: If it's really and truly the 11th hour, some owners and agents will consider giving you a discount off the normal rental rate. Gotta fill those vacancies, you know. ;-) 

So don't hesitate to ask for a better deal. Within reason, of course!


Bed & Breakfasts

Bed and breakfast inns have a limited number of rooms to rent, so it's no surprise that prime-time dates tend to fill up early, often well before the season begins.

Do you have your heart set on staying at a historic or romantic Cape Cod bed and breakfast?

Don't despair! Have a look here to find the perfect B&B that's waiting for you.

Enjoy your 11th hour vacation on Cape Cod!

Related Pages:

Beachfront Hotels, Motels & Inns

Vacation Rentals

Hostels

  1. Home
    2. ›
  2. Lodging
    3. ›
  3. Last-Minute Lodging Tips