High-End Hotels Lure Huddled Masses

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- When they were first unveiled in 1912, the gilded, sky-painted ceilings of the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston were the height of luxury. This Black Friday, they'll shelter turkey sandwich-chomping, energy drink-quaffing midnight outlet shoppers.

For the second year in a row, the Fairmont Copley Plaza will be shuttling shoppers 45 minutes away to the Nike(NKE Quote), American Apparel(APP Quote) and Gap(GPS Quote) stores at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets at midnight on Black Friday and throughout the ensuing weekend. With rates starting at $279 a night, the offer offsets some of the bargains, but its free snacks and breakfast are just one example of how high-end hotels are stepping down a notch to draw guests this holiday season.

Boston's Copley Plaza Hotel is one of many high-end hotels offering deals this holiday season.

"The response has been positive," says Suzanne Wenz, a Fairmont spokeswoman representing the Copley Plaza. "This is a nice way for serious shoppers to get out there for the sales and make a fun getaway of it."

Though Boston's room occupancy rate has jumped more than 7 percentage points to 71% since 2008 and its room revenue climbed nearly 5% to an above-average $111.80, Fairmont isn't taking chances. It's offering a $264 "Shopping Survival" package at its Battery Wharf hotel that includes snacks and a local shopping guide. Beyond Boston, Fairmont is wooing guests to its Bermuda Southampton hotel with free holiday meals and activities, and offering stays at The Plaza in New York, The Savoy in London and its other hotels for 25% off or with an extra night thrown in for free if guests book before Nov. 19.