Anyone want to venture a guess as to why this might be...travel related

mnrose

Queen of all she surveys
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
My husband and I are going to Mexico for two weeks in the winter. My BIL and SIL (and their two tween/teen kids) have decided they'd like to join us. Because I'm an amateur travel agent, and LOVE to plan travel, they've asked me to scope out the best prices on the trip. So, I've been watching rates. They want two rooms....parents in one, kids in the other (adjoining). I've been putting in the planner section the request for two rooms, with two adults and two children (with their ages) and coming up with the prices. The resort is an all inclusive (meals, drinks, etc). I ASSUMED that the price for the kids would be at least a little less because (obviously) they will not be drinking any alcohol. LOL. I get price X per person when I do that. Last night, by mistake, I said "4 adults" instead of 2/2, and something very interesting happened. The price per person DROPPED about $80 each! In other words, kids were being charged $160 MORE per person than the adults. That makes absolutely no sense to me. There's no real "kids club" at this resort, so that can't be the explanation. It's a family friendly resort, so it can't be to discourage kids, right? I'm stumped. Did it again today, and the same exact thing happens....it's MORE expensive to bring two kids, then two adults.
 
I was going to say kids club, but you thought of that. Maybe they figure kids will cause more of a mess? Or participate in more activities?

Trying calling the resort and see what they say?
 
They will probably have assumed each room will have one adult and one child in and often hotels charge a supplement for single occupancy /single adult occupancy
 


Request connecting not adjoining. Put one adult in each room.
 
They will probably have assumed each room will have one adult and one child in and often hotels charge a supplement for single occupancy /single adult occupancy


Hmmmm. Maybe, but that still doesn't make sense. Why should it cost MORE than filling the room with two adults? It definitely makes sense to charge more for a room with one adult (on a per person basis) than it does for two adults. (e.g., two adults is $350 per night, so $175 per), one adult is $225. But why should one adult and one child be $185 per person? Makes no sense to me. At all. (Those are made up figures uses as an example, but are directionally correct)
 


Request connecting not adjoining. Put one adult in each room.


Doesn't matter. Price is the same whether they are adjoining or connecting. I've tried all sorts of possible combinations. The flat out best rate is to call the two "children" adults. And, I'm considering doing that. In Mexico terms, the one is an adult.
 
Doesn't matter. Price is the same whether they are adjoining or connecting. I've tried all sorts of possible combinations. The flat out best rate is to call the two "children" adults. And, I'm considering doing that. In Mexico terms, the one is an adult.
But if they get adjoining, they might not be connecting. Just near each other.
 
Here's some precise figures:

One adult, one room: $1974 (includes airfare, which should be "constant" across all scenarios, and is assumed to be about $600, since that is the price for standalone ticket, same flights, same day).

Two adults, one room: $1439 per person.

Two adults, two kids (two rooms): $1514 per person

Four adults, two rooms: $1439 per person.

It's baffling.

So, the "room cost" in the first example is $1274, in the second and fourth scenarios: 1600 (give or take). And, with the kids, $1800 per room.
 
I ve had that a lot when checking out prices for vacations all over the world. My guess it that 2 adults are the standard that hotels want to attract to stay, not families
 
I ve had that a lot when checking out prices for vacations all over the world. My guess it that 2 adults are the standard that hotels want to attract to stay, not families

Going to guess you are correct. It was just surprising to me. When I go to the hotel's website (instead of a "package" place), it tells me that any "child" over the age of 12 is considered an 'adult' (it expressly says that "children" are 1-12 years old). Since the one will be 14 when they travel, and the other 11.75, I'm thinking of fudging it and calling them both "adults." Clearly fair for the 14 year old.
 
That’s what I do, I book two rooms for 4 adults. Never had a problem bc no one wants to tell you at check in that kids are more expensive than adults and ask for an upcharge
 
There could be a special right now where they are slightly comping something that only adults can use (probably drink related). We saw this a few times at all inclusive where adults got $100 drink credit. I bet the two rooms are causing the kids to be charged as full adults, but then they aren’t getting a special credit.
 
I'm thinking of fudging it and calling them both "adults."
Fixed it for you.
I'm thinking of fudging it lying and calling them both "adults.

The resort considers 14 an adult for pricing purposes, but a 14 year old isn't a legal adult in Mexico and can't be in a hotel room without one. Does this property 100% guarantee connecting (not just adjoining) rooms? What are the parents' plans if there's no connecting door?

Did you try booking for three "adults" and one child?
 
Does "all-inclusive" mean each person gets all they can eat/drink, including alcohol? Or, is there a limit to the number of drinks included each day before you have to pay for them? Also, is the dining the same for each meal, or are there "premium" dining options that have an upcharge? I'm asking because I'm thinking it might be similar to a cruise ship. You can conceivably take a cruise without spending any additional money, but very few people do. They are always trying to sell you drinks, merchandise, spa treatments, upscale dining options, etc. I can see a resort charging more for kids since they are less likely to buy these extras. Overall, they probably make more from adult guests, even when they charge a lower base fee.
 
Fixed it for you.
I'm thinking of fudging it lying and calling them both "adults.

The resort considers 14 an adult for pricing purposes, but a 14 year old isn't a legal adult in Mexico and can't be in a hotel room without one. Does this property 100% guarantee connecting (not just adjoining) rooms? What are the parents' plans if there's no connecting door?

Did you try booking for three "adults" and one child?

I disagree, if the resort policy is that an adult is 14, then a 14 year old is an adult for booking with them.
Think about it, at Disney an adult is what 10? Even though in the US at 10 they are not a legal adult, yet people buy adult tickets for them
 
I disagree, if the resort policy is that an adult is 14, then a 14 year old is an adult for booking with them.
Think about it, at Disney an adult is what 10? Even though in the US at 10 they are not a legal adult, yet people buy adult tickets for them
Nope, at Disney an adult is 18. A 10 yr old is just a guest 10+. Tickets aren't sold as child and adult, just Guest 3-9 and Guest 10+.
 
I don't know if there is a glitch, but yes, it could have to do with how you are trying to book.
Some resorts, like cruise ships, might have a min. charge of 2 adults per room.
Technically, they probably wouldn't allow two underaged children to be in a room by themselves.
One adult, often 21 years, or even older, required per room.

This is another thing that makes me wonder about some kind of glitch.
Rate changes can happen all the time, at any time.

What resort are you looking at??????

The rates for adults and younger children should be clearly stated...
It should be easy enough to see where something is not adding up.

And, you might not be able to 'fudge it' either.
These resorts and cruise ships have age regulations for a reason, and they will likely be checking.
Every traveler will need documentation/passports.

Maybe you should contact the resort, or actually contact an actual TA who handles a lot of this kind of travel.
 

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