Those looking to book a hotel last-minute for sold out Comic-Con will be hard pressed to find a room. Many hotels downtown are already booked for the four-day event – and hotels that have not sold out have substantially increased their rates.
Comic-Con compiled a list of nearly 30 hotels within walking distance of the event. Of those listed, only a few had rooms left. All the original listed prices have nearly doubled.
The Sofia Hotel also increased its price from $188 per night to $309.
“It’s still a very, very competitive rate,” said Amy Ragsdale, director of sales at The Sofia Hotel in San Diego. “It’s very reasonable for last minute travelers.”
Ragsdale said that many hotels have contracted rates with Comic-Con, but if the block doesn’t fill they are entitled to do what they need to sell the hotel.
Right now the hotel is offering 25 percent off its highest rate, said Ragsdale. She is confident they will fill all the rooms for the four-day event.
Other hotels are following suit. Rooms at Hotel Indigo now cost between $550 and $1,000 per night instead of the original $287. Pacific Inn & Suites typically has a standard room for $120 a night, but during Comic-Con the lowest price is nearly $300.
A hostel downtown is offering lower rates, starting at $35 per night to share a room with nine people.
San Diego businesses benefit from the large crowds at Comic-Con, and with a struggling economy the boost certainly helps.
“Comic-Con is huge,” Ragsdale said. “San Diego needs it.”
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