I've worked in the hotel industry a number of years. I even did a 6 month stint at the Delta Edmonton South. I didn't like the way the GM treated staff so I went elsewhere. Anyways, $175 is the "RACK" rate for that hotel (ie. the highest going price). However, the only people that pay this amount are those that don't look for discounted rates (eg. CAA, Seniors, Corporate, etc...). The rate your sister got would have been a walk-in rate which hotels give out to try and fill up the hotel at the last minute. Moral of the story, never accept the first quoted rate as being the best available rate as it rarely is. Some chains, such as Howard Johnson Hotels, will provide you with a guaranteed best rate if you ask for it. This is the best non-qualifying discounted rate any John Doe can receive at the time of booking.

Sincerely,

Hotel Industry Professional with a Conscience.

Hotel rate flucuations are very normal in Hotels. Hotel room rates flucuate on a daily and even hourly basis. Like airlines, they just try to get the highest rate possible. It also varies on the room type booked. Rates vary for room types such as Delta or Delta Premier rooms. For that hotel, the higher priced rooms are behind the elevator or in the east wing while the lower priced Delta rooms are in the West Wing or strait ahead from the elevators. Post this in the specific hotel ratings here in tripadvisor.com to get your point across better and the hotel staff and management MIGHT notice it.