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Airlines and hotels are cashing in on the busy travel period while preparing for a slow January. Travelers on budget can find significant price cuts by postponing trips to sun-soaked destinations for a few more weeks.

Revelers will want to think twice before booking a last-minute ticket to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Sunshine State this year.

Hotel room rates more than double in many Florida cities as hoteliers take advantage of the dramatic increase in demand. A new survey from MiamiHotels.org shows that rates for most affordable rooms in Key West increase up to 178 percent between December 30 and January 2.

The most affordable rates at hotels in Miami and Fort Meyers Beach also more than double during the nights surrounding New Year’s Eve.

It’s interesting to note that Orlando is not included in the list of 10 Florida destinations with the most expensive rooms. As a family destination, rates might not vary as much during the New Year’s holiday as during other times of the year.

The 10 Florida destinations with the highest hotel rates over New Year’s Eve are outlined below. The rates reflect the nightly price for the most affordable double room from December 30 through January 2.

Rank City New Year’s Eve Rate Increase (%) on Regular Rate
1 Key West $472 161%
2 Miami Beach $309 178%
3 Sanibel Island $287 88%
4 Florida Keys $270 69%
5 Longboat Key $259 72%
6 Fort Myers Beach $252 157%
7 Miami Downtown $242 92%
8 Anna Maria Island $229 62%
9 St. Augustine $179 50%
10 Fort Lauderdale Beach $178 79%

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Tags: florida, holidays, key west, miami

Photo credit: The path to the beach at the Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, in Key West. Casa Marina Resort

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