Bangor’s hotel prices are soaring beyond $600 per night a few days ahead of the University of Maine’s homecoming weekend and other events in the city.
Visitors who waited to make arrangements could pay more than $1,000 for the weekend.
For a two-person room from Friday to Sunday, Hampton Inn in Bangor is charging $547 per night, according to rates listed on its website Wednesday afternoon. At Hollywood Casino Bangor, rates range from $479 to $679. A stay at the Hilton Garden Inn costs $425.
As demand for hotel stays increases, so do rates, and this weekend will be busy. UMaine’s homecoming events, Bangor’s Comic and Toy Con and a cornhole tournament at the Cross Insurance Center are likely to blame for the high rates, according to general managers of a few Bangor hotels.
Despite inflated prices for accommodations, UMaine’s registrations for homecoming events are up 20 percent from last year, and the school anticipates an excellent turnout, spokesperson Eric Gordon said.
“We are excited to welcome alumni, friends and other members of the UMaine community back to campus for an exciting weekend,” he said. “We have not seen any negative impacts that result from increased hotel rates and occupancy in the Greater Bangor area.”
From tours of campus facilities to tailgating, UMaine has events planned Friday through Sunday. The UMaine football team plays Long Island University at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Events of this magnitude cause hotel rates to increase across the board, said Amanda Wain, general manager at Quality Inn in Bangor. If surrounding hotels are close to selling out, Quality Inn will raise its rates to “earn top dollar,” which is standard in the industry, she said.
During an ordinary weekend without many attractions, rates range from $150 to $200 per night, Wain said. On Wednesday afternoon, they were $313-$322. The hotel is sold out for Friday, she said at about 10 a.m.
“The way that it normally works is that pricing is based on supply and demand and market prices,” said Dan Cashman, spokesperson for Hollywood Casino Bangor. “It’s all automated. When concerts or events come up, we tend to see room rates increase based on that automated scale.”
Hollywood Casino Bangor guests might also be in town for comedian Jim Colliton, who is performing Friday and Saturday, Cashman said.
October tends to be a busy month because of visitors stopping in or driving through the area for leaf-peeping season, Wain said.
“If you know you’re going someplace, don’t wait,” Cashman said. “Book the room once you’ve made plans. It will be more expensive if you wait.”
