Hotel rooms at a premium for Made in America festival

 

The weekend’s “Made in America” music festival has made finding a hotel room in Philadelphia difficult and expensive.

Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia usually isn’t a big one for hotels, but Ed Grose of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association says this year space is very tight.

“When the supply decreases, hotels can charge a little bit more for their rooms,” Grose said. “As far as individual hotels, I’m not able to comment on their pricing.”

For example, the Hyatt at the Bellevue on an average Saturday night is $269 if you can find a room; this weekend’s rate is $499.

The Rodeway Inn at 12th and Walnut usually charges $109. This weekend, a Saturday night stay will run $449.

Jack Ferguson of the Convention and Visitors Bureau says it’s “supply and demand.”

“But the customer has a choice. No one is saying you have to pay that rate,” he said. “You can either pay the rate and stay there or shop elsewhere.”

Ferguson says it’s good to see hotels busy on a normally slow weekend.