Hotel Booking Sites: Which One Should You Actually Use?
Hotel booking has gotten complicated with all the competing platforms flying around. As someone who’s booked probably 200+ hotel stays across a dozen different sites, I learned everything there is to know about which platforms actually deliver. Today, I will share it all with you.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you upfront: they all list the same hotels. Seriously. The real differences come down to pricing quirks, loyalty rewards, and how flexible your cancellation policy is. That matters more than most people realize.
Booking.com
This is my go-to for most trips, and I don’t say that lightly. Biggest selection out there, almost always has free cancellation options, and the interface doesn’t make me want to throw my laptop. Their Genius loyalty program kicks in after just 2 bookings and starts handing you discounts automatically.
The downside? It’s not always the rock-bottom cheapest. I’ve caught Expedia or direct booking beating it by $10-15 a night on occasion. But the convenience and cancellation flexibility usually make up for that gap.
Hotels.com
Stay 10 nights, get 1 free. That’s the whole pitch, and honestly it’s a pretty good one. No confusing points charts, no tier systems to decode. You just book, stay, and eventually get a freebie. If you travel frequently and don’t want to obsess over loyalty programs, this is your move.
Worth knowing: Expedia owns them, so you’ll often see identical pricing between the two. Pick whichever rewards system appeals to you more.
Expedia
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Expedia’s real strength is bundling. When you’re booking flights and hotels together, the package deals can save you genuinely significant money. They also do rental cars, so it’s the one-stop-shop approach to trip planning.
Their loyalty program exists, but it won’t blow your mind. I use Expedia primarily when I’m building a full trip and want everything in one booking confirmation.
Kayak and Google Hotels
These aren’t booking sites. They’re meta-search engines, meaning they compare prices across all the other platforms so you can spot the cheapest option. I pull up Google Hotels almost every time I’m researching a stay.
The workflow is simple: search here first, find the best price, then go book on whichever site or directly with the hotel. It takes an extra minute but can save you real money.
Agoda
If you’re heading anywhere in Asia, check Agoda before you book anywhere else. They consistently beat Western booking sites on prices for destinations like Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia. I’ve seen differences of $20-30 per night on the same room. Outside of Asia? Less compelling, but still worth a quick comparison.
Booking Direct with the Hotel
Don’t sleep on this one. Hotels will frequently match whatever price you found on an OTA and then sweeten the deal with perks: loyalty points, free breakfast, room upgrades. Marriott, Hilton, and IHG all run best-rate guarantees, which means they’ll match and sometimes beat third-party prices.
That’s what makes direct booking endearing to us frequent travelers. You get the same rate plus extras that actually enhance your stay.
My Personal Approach
Here’s exactly what I do every time. First, I pull up Google Hotels for a quick price landscape. Then I compare those numbers with Booking.com. After that, I check the hotel’s own website. I book wherever the best combination of price, flexibility, and perks lands.
For chain hotels where I’ve got status? Direct booking, every single time. For independent or boutique places? Usually Booking.com wins. This system hasn’t steered me wrong yet, and I’ve been doing it for years now.
