Holiday hotspots charge double or more over Easter FAMILIES are having to pay hugely inflated rates for Easter accommodation, with some operators charging more than twice their usual rates. Research by The Courier-Mail has found numerous examples, including a holiday rental on Stradbroke Island called The Turtle House which will set holidaymakers back $2000 a week over Easter. It usually rents for $760 a week. A three-bedroom villa at Gold Coast Tourist Park at Tallebudgera Creek which usually costs $215 a night will cost $390 a night over Easter. Travel industry experts say high demand and the fact Easter is now combined with school holidays has led to the high prices, particularly at private holiday homes and caravan parks. Family travel specialist Travel With Kidz managing director Wendy Buckley said accommodation providers had less chance to bring in revenue. "They formerly had two opportunities, now they only have one," she said. Ms Buckley said holidaymakers would get better rates at large resorts such as Hayman Island than at high-demand trendy areas. Families should consider off-season destinations such as the Snowy Mountains where they could get good value for money. Lastminute.com.au spokeswoman Mia Carter said a lot of CBD hotels offered good deals during the school holidays because most families fled to the coast. She said the best deals still available over Easter were at "secret hotels" - luxury hotels that don't want to reveal who they are until after people have booked because the rates are so low and they don't want to undermine their image. "The hotel is able to sell a room that they might not have ordinarily sold over that period and they give customers a great deal," she said. Examples include a five-star hotel in Sydney for $165 a night, a 4.5-star hotel in Melbourne for $160 a night, a 4.5-star hotel in Adelaide for $125 a night and a 4.5-star hotel in Cairns for $95 a night. "If you can leave just before or just after Easter you will score a much better deal," Ms Carter said. A lot of people book Easter a year in advance so popular holiday spots book out in advance but if you're willing to go somewhere a bit off the beaten track you can get a really fantastic deal.