ACCOMMODATION is still available in Newcastle for this weekend’s Supercars finale – if you are willing to pay $1000 per night.
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The Newcastle 500 has again proven a winner for the city’s hotels, along with residents who have chosen to lease their properties via short-term rental websites.
A two-bedroom unit on Newcastle beach for six people can be rented through booking.com for a whopping $13,685 for the four nights.
Likewise, properties on Airbnb and many hotel rooms cost thousands of dollars if booked this week.
A two-bedroom unit with a “sweeping ocean view from every room” is priced at $9187 for the four nights. Another one-bedroom unit inside the race precinct is priced at $3528.
READ MORE: Race circuit takes shape
The Beach House on John Parade, Merewether is still up for grabs at $9135, while Newcastle East residents have jumped on the rental bandwagon with one four-bedroom terrace going for $3882.
Newcastle Tourism Industry Group general manager Gus Maher said only one per cent of hotel accommodation remains available in the city, which is set for an economic blast from out-of-town visitors.
“There is still the odd room in town – at a price,” Mr Maher said.
“That’s how yield management works at those last couple of rooms, they always go at a higher price.
READ MORE: Supercars: Complete Newcastle 500 guide
“But overall, when you look at the number of rooms that are in Newcastle, and what’s left, we’re probably talking about one per cent of traditional hotels rooms that remain.
“And the great news for Newcastle and our visitor economy, is to have all of those hotel rooms all-but full of people who we know will spend money in the city.”
At Noah’s On The Beach, a queen room with ocean views costs $5136 for four nights. There were only a few left on Tuesday.
The nearby Novotel had two rooms left with 86 already booked. A king-bed room costs $1,099 per night and is available Friday or Saturday.
Most guests who had booked at the hotel were returning from last year and had been on a waiting list.
At the other end of the spectrum, a queen room with a shared bathroom for two people at the Stockton Boatrowers Hotel costs $625 for four nights.
“The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a TV. With a shared bathroom, rooms at Boatrowers Hotel Stockton also feature a river view,” the booking.com ad reads.
