We like last minute deals: There’s something exciting about them — that rush of the 
unknown, the excellent moment where you grab the deal and the excitement of grabbing a good deal.
There’s just something American about looking around the hotel lobby and smugly thinking how you paid so much less than anyone else for that room last night.
Now, you too can enjoy that thrill — and get paid $25 to experience it. The HotelTonight app will let you book at hotel room at the last minute in six different cities (New York, LA, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago and Boston).
The way the app works is pretty simple. No bids or booking a room at a hotel only to find out its the Holiday under construction in the Bowery — miles away from anything fun, the app gives you three choices: A hip one, an elegant one and the least expensive one. It can even find a hotel as late as 2 a.m. — just as the bars close down and you realize 1. You’re three vodka gimlets too many to drive. 2. She actually fell for that line. (You could probably think up more realistic examples too, such as a canceled flight, a last minute road trip or you’re just too cheap to book a room in advance, but where’s the romance in that?)
App founders Sam Shank (he launched Dealbase.com and TravelPost.com) and Jared Simon (he helped create the hotel category for Orbitz) created the app for iPhone bookings instead of carrying around your lap top and looking for free wifi in a new city.
They have signed deals with more than 70 hotel partners in the six cities. The way the 
system works is every day at noon, HotelTonight releases its pricing and booking information. The app also provides photos and other info about the hotel — such as if there is free wifi, late night food options and public transportation routes to the hotel. It’s kind of the Priceline for hipsters.
Some of the hotels included are The Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles, Hotel Vitale in San Francisco, Dream New York, dana Hotel and Spa in Chicago, Donovan House in Washington DC and the Copley Square Hotel in Boston.
Finally, when you down load the free app, HotelTonight will credit you $25 for your first room. And if you can con your friends into downloading the app, you can get $25 for each reference. When was the last time an app paid you to download it instead of the other way around?
The app is available for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch. You can download it here.
If you want to see more, check out this video produced by the app’s creators — where bearded men get caught up in the moment after spending the entire day in the city.
