Stay Plans
-
Post-Golden Week Hotel Prices Drop Up to 44%: Why Mid-May Is the Best Time to Book
Once Golden Week (GW) ends, hotel prices drop sharply across the board. According to an analysis by Metro Engine Research, which compiled publicly available pricing data from approximately 8,000 properties across six major cities, weekday ADR (Average Daily Rate) in mid-May falls by as much as 44% compared to the GW peak. Combined with the comfortable weather before the rainy season, mid-May can be considered one of the most cost-effective travel periods of the year. This article analyzes daily pricing data for May 2026 to identify when, where, and what type of accommodation offers the best value. Those planning travel after GW should find this information particularly useful. Definitions of Key Metrics ADR (Average Daily Rate): The average of publicly listed prices on OTAs. This differs from actual transaction prices. Based on per-room rates for double occupancy (tax included), averaged across all plan types (room-only to meal-inclusive). Sell-out Rate: The proportion of plans that were no longer available for booking on OTAs at the time of data collection. This differs from actual occupancy rates. Data Source: Metro Engine Research