Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which provide small compensation for FidisTravel at no extra cost to you if you decide to purchase/book something
Are you one of those people, who is always trying to get the best deal possible? Rightly so! While the economy acts out like a moody teenager, everybody is hunting for bargains, also in the world of travel. Here are a few places you can use when booking hotel rooms that won’t break the bank.
Note before we start:
- Online Travel Agent (OTA): handles your booking directly
- Metasearch Engine: showing deals on various OTAs & hotel websites. Direct you to the actual booking site once you choose one.
Whichever you choose, you’ll end up booking either via OTA or directly via hotel’s website. Here’s our detailed comparison of booking hotel directly vs booking via OTA if you want to find out more.
1. Hotels.com
Type: Online Travel Agent
This accommodation search engine offers not only hotel stays, but also more affordable options. You can filter through all the results and sort them as you wish. Their website also lets you rent a car, get group rates, or even list your own property.
Hotels.com brings many opportunities for saving while booking. You can become a member (for free!) and get discount fares from the get-go. Members can also join their loyalty program, where they collect stamps for their stays. Eventually, you get a free stay and jump levels to silver and then gold with some more perks and benefits. I don’t know about you, but for a target-driven consumer like me, this hits the jackpot. If all that wasn’t enough to convince you to give it a go, they also do gift cards. So if you want to bless your loved ones with a great weekend getaway, just get them a Hotels.com voucher. Easy breezy!
2. Trivago
Type: Metasearch engine
As one of the leading hotel booking websites, Trivago gives the impression of a very hip and modern platform and it is very easy to use. You can not only search by your desired location, but also a landmark, which comes in handy if you are an avid tourist. Trivago gives you the possibility to compare various options and of course, read reviews. What is different about this one is the fact that it actually brings up deals from other booking websites, so you can really pick the most budget-friendly deal for the accommodation of your choice.
Available in dozens of language versions, Trivago also lets you choose which currency you want to display the prices in. So no, this site is not a booking site on its own, it compares and brings us the services from the industry all around, as well as the hotel chains themselves. This is not only money, but also time saving option and that is probably why Trivago is so popular. Clearly displayed highlights of the booking, like cancellation policy or meal setup, makes this platform a strong contender to consider. Hotel? Trivago!
Interested to find out more? Check out our in-depth review of Trivago.
3. Expedia
Type: Online Travel Agent
Are you looking for an all-inclusive platform to book an all-around planned stay? This is the one. Expedia allows you to not only search for hotels, apartments, and other accommodations. You can also book flights, cars, holiday packages, cruises, and attractions such as guided tours. The booking experience itself is a first-class one. There are plenty of filters, options, photos, and of course, reviews. You can get great deals for group bookings and all properties and rooms are described in the finest detail.
This platform offers all the payment methods you can think of, including Bitcoin in some cases! User friendly with very clear cancellation policies and good customer service, Expedia is a good place to start your booking journey. Although it doesn’t have as many language and currency display options as some competitors, the process seems easy to follow. If you are looking for more ‘up market’ options, this is a perfect website, as here you can find more luxury stays than anywhere else. It is good to note that sometimes prices may be slightly higher than via other sites, but the thorough service is definitely worth it. So give yourself a little bit of lux feel and start booking now.
4. Airbnb
Type: Online Travel Agent
This quite recent phenomenon in the booking world has to be one of the most affordable options for travelers across the globe. The concept is definitely not a new one, but the setup and branding of Airbnb just took off in the past decade. The very simple website lets you find any type of accommodation, from luxury villas, through hotel rooms, all the way to remote huts in the middle of nowhere. Availability calendar, guest reviews, host policies, company protection scheme, you have it all there. Are you looking to book a tour or experience while you’re away? They’ve got it.
Airbnb has a great feature where you put your desired travel date and it shows you the rates, so you can get the best one. This seems to be a common issue for modern travelers, so if you want to learn more, read our guide on when to book hotels for the best deal.
Have you ever arrived at your accommodation only to find that you have to share a bedroom with your in-laws? Thankfully, this platform shows you clearly the setup of all bedrooms as well as great photos of the property. You can contact the host directly and ask all your questions too. Airbnb has a 24/7 help center and support line and a great protection policy for both hosts and guests, so you can book without fear. Enjoy your stay!
5. Tripadvisor
Type: Metasearch engine
This is surely one of the most popular search engines for all things travel. You not only get nearly 1.5 million hotels to pick from, but you can also see full customer ratings, reviews and even realistic photos from people who have been there before you! The website is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. Because of their reputation across the whole world, Tripadvisor often offers better deals than other hotel websites.
You can also take advantage of notes and recommendations from previous guests about what services to ask for or which rooms are not so conveniently located. This website allows you to fully research your destination, so you feel well informed when deciding which hotel to book and if you happen to change your mind, their refund policy is quite user friendly and their customer service is definitely one of the best in the industry.
6. Momondo
Type: Metasearch engine
As one of the comparison services, this website shows available travel options when it comes to accommodation, flights, car rental, and even package holidays. Because it works as a specialty search engine, all the prices you can see are not inflated with extra commissions, so you have a great opportunity to get the best deal possible.
One of the greatest features on Momondo is the ‘Explore’ tab, where you are shown a map with the most attractive prices, so you can decide where to travel at a glance, based solely on the price. They also clearly list any known travel restrictions based on the country of your departure, which in today’s climate is extremely helpful.
You can navigate the platform in one of many languages available as well as display the prices in a currency of your choice. When it comes to customer care, apart from lots and lots of FAQ listed on the website, you can also speak to a virtual assistant to solve any problems. Overall, Momondo is a great place to visit when booking.
7. Kayak
Type: Metasearch engine
Founded in 2004 Kayak has all the experience in travel deals comparison we can think of. If you are looking to book great stays, but also flights, cars, or trains, this is a great site to do so. Like many other platforms of this kind, it lets you carry out an extensive search of what you are looking for, to then show you all the best deals possible across the industry. Similarly to other websites, you can explore world maps, find out about travel restrictions and compare rates.
Kayak also throws in another helpful feature – flight tracker. Appealing to aviation fans, this tool lets you see the trajectory of your flight, which can be very educational and interesting for the curious minds out there. As this platform operates on the same licence as momondo, their customer service is as good and detailed as their team mates’. The website interface is almost identical and one thing that distinguishes them, apart from bright orange branding, is the business travel option. Whether you are traveling for work or for pleasure, Kayak is a good tool to help you search for deals.
8. American Express Travel
Type: Online Travel Agent
Amex Travel is a very professional, all-inclusive service to book both personal and business travel. They get great rates for the premium services due to their long lasting partnerships with big brands. Here you can book your hotels, flights, cars, cruises, and packages, all in one place.
The best way to go is to start an account and collect loyalty points as their benefits and rewards schemes are very profitable in the long run. This website has lots of options, but if you have some time on your hands, it is worth having a go at it. You can look for your desired locations or take advantage of their Hot Last Minute Deals for the best value for money. Travel Support section has dozens of articles, travel advice and FAQ as well as an option to chat directly with one of the advisors. If you are looking for something a little extra, Amex Travel is a perfect option.
9. SkyScanner
Type: Metasearch engine
This is another robust platform with a little more than just hotel bookings. As the name suggest, this website allows you to scan the skies to find a perfect flight as well as hire a car, and finally to book a room. SkyScanner is another comparison website that helps you search best deals across most platforms in the industry. Because of that, you can freely compare and contrast the deals and perks included in each option.
User friendly interface gives you great photos and customer reviews brought in straight from Tripadvisor. Something to be mindful of when booking is the payment policy, as not all rates include free cancellation or ‘pay on arrival’ service. If you’re curious to know more about why hotels do it and how you can tackle it, read our article on how hotel deposits work.
kyScanner’s customer care team helps with any issues that you can encounter on a good enough level. If you like to see all deals in one place, this website is a good choice.
10. Hotwire
Type: Online Travel Agent
Are you looking for great accommodation on a budget? Search no more. This website is exactly what you need. Hotwire lets you search for hotels, flights, car rentals and full-on vacation packages and displays really great deals through a very user friendly platform. Where is the catch you ask? There isn’t one. This company, in partnership with big hospitality and travel brands, uses unsold rooms and flights to offer great rates to their customers. Treat it like a winter sale for accommodation and travel. It even shows you the regular retail price to prove that you really get a bargain.
As a third-party service, they have a 24h cancelation policy in case you change your mind, but just be mindful that you may not be able to cancel after that cool-off period. Hotwire may not be your thing if you are looking for a luxury stay, but if you are on a budget, it’s a match!
As you can see, the world of travel booking services is huge. Whether you are looking for luxury stays, premium services, holiday on a budget, or even business travel, you will definitely find something that suits your needs. Read terms and conditions carefully, consider all the perks, and take advantage of the memberships and loyalty discounts. Happy traveling!
PS: Don’t forget to tell us how it went!
Now that you decide on where to book, here’s how to get the best deal when booking a hotel room.
