Chicago Is Top Destination to Ring in 2007 for Third Year Running, According to Hotwire.com

Atlanta and Orlando are second and third most popular destinations to celebrate New Year's Eve

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Where do Americans want to make champagne toasts, shower in confetti and steal midnight kisses? According to discount travel site Hotwire.com(TM), the most popular city to ring in 2007 is Chicago, for the third consecutive year, followed by Atlanta and Orlando. New Orleans and San Francisco round out the top five most popular cities this year, while traditional New Year's Eve destination New York City falls to the tenth spot.

"Low prices on four-star hotels plus great entertainment choices make big cities like Chicago a favorite destination for ringing in the New Year," said Barbara Messing, vice president and travel expert at Hotwire(R). "For travelers looking to celebrate the New Year in warmer spots without breaking the bank, cities like Atlanta, New Orleans or Phoenix are also great places to celebrate the last minutes of 2006."

The top ten destinations for New Year's Eve 2006, according to hotel bookings on Hotwire.com, include (2005 rankings in parentheses):

 1. Chicago, Illinois (1)
 2. Atlanta, Georgia (6)
 3. Orlando, Florida (2)
 4. New Orleans, Louisiana
 5. San Francisco, California (4)
 6. Las Vegas, Nevada (5)
 7. Los Angeles, California (8)
 8. Phoenix, Arizona (3)
 9. Orange County, California
 10. New York City, New York (7)
 

Added Messing, "New Year's Eve is a great time of year to enjoy a new city while prices are low and spirits are high. We're seeing four-star hotels in many popular U.S. cities for around $100 per night."

Below are examples of hotel rates recently booked on Hotwire for New Year's Eve weekend (December 28 - January 2)*:

 * $72 / night 4-star hotel, Las Vegas -- North Strip
 * $72 / night 4-star hotel, New Orleans -- Downtown
 * $73 / night 4-star hotel, Atlanta -- Marietta -- Vinings
 * $84 / night 4-star hotel, Chicago -- Northbrook
  * $103 / night 4-star hotel, Phoenix -- Scottsdale
 * $109 / night 4-star hotel, San Francisco -- Union Square West
 

The discount travel experts at Hotwire(R) recommend booking travel now to land the best travel deals for New Year's Eve weekend. For more information, visit www.hotwire.com.

*Hotel rates shown are based on actual bookings made on Hotwire.com from December 4 - 18, 2006, for stays between December 28 - January 2, 2007. Hotel rates shown do not include applicable tax recovery charges and fees. However, total cost, including all applicable tax recovery charges and fees, is shown before bookings are made on Hotwire.com. All bookings are non-changeable and nonrefundable. Rates subject to availability. Because rates change all the time, Hotwire customers are encouraged to check rates for themselves.