Hotwire.com releases its top 10 best-value cities for 2010 travel

USA TODAY -- Hotwire.com today will announce the top 10 cities it sees as offering travelers the most value for hotels, airfare, car rental and entertainment - and Hotel Check-In has the results first...

Hotwire's fifth annual "Travel Value Index" study of best-value cities for travelers ranks Atlanta No. 1, bumping perennial family favorite Orlando from first place to second. In other years, Denver, Phoenix and Orlando have taken the title for varying reasons.

Hotwire compiles the study to give consumers an idea as to where their travel dollars can stretch farthest. The timing's good, because spring break is almost here (we're still deciding where to go) and people are starting to talk about summer vacations.

How does Hotwire calculate results? It evaluates the USA's top 75 markets using a formula that takes into consideration low prices on hotel, airfare and car rental (50% of score); discounts on hotels, airfare and car rental; (25%), and affordable entertainment, overall appeal and choice of accommodations (25%).

The top 10 best-value destinations in the USA, according to Hotwire's Travel Value Index study:

Rank/City Overall TVI Rating 2009 Rank High Scoring Category

1. Atlanta 100 2 discounts/ ent.
2. Orlando 99 1 low prices/ent.
3. Phoenix 94 5 entertainment
4. Dallas-Fort Worth 93 4 discounts
5. Denver 87 3 low price
6. Houston 84 6 discounts
7. Los Angeles 83 7 entertainment
8. Raleigh, N.C. 82 N/A low prices
9. Chicago 81 10 discounts
10. Miami 75 N/A entertainment

"It's not surprising that Atlanta made its way back to the top of the list," said Clem Bason, Hotwire Group's president. "New inventory and the dip in Atlanta's convention business have created an opportunity for consumers to find amazing deals and discounts this year."

The 2010 title marks the second time that Atlanta's taken Hotwire's top-honors for best-value destination. Atlanta is at the tale end of a luxury hotel building boom that commenced before the travel downturn, so all the new rooms opening up are driving down hotel rates. This summer, for example, a new luxury Loews hotel will join other luxury names including St. Regis, Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton. In 2007, Atlanta made the list thanks to an influx of hotel rooms at discounted prices. Back then, many boutique hotels had opened in the city.

Hotwire also took into consideration Atlanta's affordable entertainment and attractions such as the World of Coca-Cola Tour, CNN Studio Tour and Centennial Olympic Park