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With countless hotel comparison sites vying for your attention, finding the best site to book a hotel can be time-consuming. While price is undoubtedly important, a truly exceptional booking site should offer more than just low rates. Look for a platform that allows you to effortlessly browse by location, filter for amenities that align with your preferences, and easily compare prices across various room options.
Avoid the hidden pitfalls of some booking sites that deceptively advertise base rates only to tack on unexpected taxes and resort fees later in the process. A reputable site will transparently display the total cost upfront, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the final price before you commit to your booking. By considering these factors, you can confidently select a hotel comparison site that meets your needs and provides a seamless booking experience.
For the best hotel deals, it’s worth comparing prices from multiple sources, including the hotel’s own website. They often offer exclusive deals, bundled amenities, or the same rates as third-party sites without those pesky booking fees. Plus, hotel websites might have package deals that aren’t available on other platforms.
Whether you’re searching through a hotel’s website or using a preferred search engine, always double-check the hotel’s direct rates or give them a call. And don’t forget to check the cancellation policy—a flexible policy can be a lifesaver if your plans change.
If you’re searching for cheap hotels, consider the options on this list.
How We Ranked the Best Hotel Booking Sites
We input the same dates and destinations for a variety of different searches and then checked rates on over 30 different hotel booking sites. The winners were ranked by price, ease of search, and how easy it was to filter by amenities. These are the best sites to book a hotel.
1. Booking.com
Booking.com is one of the most popular hotel booking platforms in the world, and for good reason. With over 28 million listings, from hotels to vacation homes, it offers a massive selection. The site has an easy-to-use interface and flexible cancellation policies, making it ideal for both last-minute and planned trips. Plus, Booking.com’s “Genius” loyalty program offers perks like free room upgrades and late check-outs to frequent users.
Booking.com also shows vacation rentals and apartment-style listings alongside hotels, and has some of the most specific search filters (allowing you to look for king beds, etc.)
Why we love it: Beyond the vast selection of accommodations, Booking.com’s transparency is a major perk. The site clearly displays property ratings, reviews, and photos, so you can make informed decisions before booking. Plus, the platform often features “secret deals” or exclusive discounts that are only visible once you sign in and select a hotell, allowing savvy travelers to score extra savings. Booking.com’s 24/7 customer service is also available in multiple languages, adding peace of mind for international travelers.
We’ve also found some of the cheapest hotel rates consistently on Booking.com.
Cons: While Booking.com often has great deals, we’ve sometimes seen fluctuating prices during the booking process, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to get the best deal. In some cases, prices may change after you’ve selected a hotel, especially if you’re booking for last-minute stays or during peak seasons.
2. Agoda
Agoda is a global booking platform that shines particularly for travelers to Asia, offering an impressive range of accommodations in destinations like Bali, Tokyo, and Bangkok. Their “Secret Deals” can give you discounts on hidden gems, and their intuitive search filters make it easy to narrow down your perfect stay. Agoda also offers customer service in multiple languages, making it a great option for international travelers.
Why we love it: Agoda is known for its competitive pricing, especially in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. With thousands of properties ranging from budget hostels to luxury resorts, the site often offers lower rates than other booking platforms. Agoda also stands out with its “AgodaCash” rewards system, where you can earn credits on bookings that can be used toward future stays. Additionally, Agoda has a reputation for fast and responsive customer support, which is essential when booking international travel.
Cons: While Agoda excels in Asia and the Pacific, it may not have the same extensive range of options in other regions like Europe or North America. Travelers outside of Asia may not find as many deals or listings on the site as they would on larger global platforms.
3. Google
While not a traditional booking site, Google’s hotel search tool has become an increasingly powerful tool for finding great hotel deals. By simply typing in a destination and “hotels,” Google aggregates results from a variety of booking sites, providing side-by-side comparisons of prices, ratings, and availability. The “Google Hotel Search” feature can also track prices over time, helping you book at the best possible rate.
Why we love it: Google Hotels offers an unparalleled search experience by displaying real-time availability and prices from multiple sources, including Booking.com, Expedia, and others, all in one place. (Just watch out for too-good-to-be-true prices from sites you’ve never heard of, which we don’t recommend booking with.)
The interface is clean, and it’s easy to navigate between different property types, dates, and even neighborhood locations. Additionally, you can filter by amenities, reviews, and price ranges to find exactly what you’re looking for. One major benefit is the ability to track price trends for your preferred hotels, allowing you to book at the best time to get the lowest rate. We also love Google Hotel’s map display, which works much better than most other booking sites.
Cons: While Google offers comprehensive search results and price comparisons, it doesn’t allow you to book directly on its platform. You’re redirected to third-party sites for booking, which can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in pricing or availability once you’re on a different platform.
4. Kayak
Kayak is a great all-in-one platform that aggregates hotel rates from multiple sources. It’s especially useful for travelers who want to compare hotel options across different booking sites with a single search. Kayak also offers price alerts, helping you snag the best deal when rates drop. Its user-friendly interface and mobile app make it easy to book on the go.
Why we love it: In addition to hotels, Kayak provides a comprehensive search experience for flights, car rentals, and vacation packages, making it a go-to for travelers looking to book everything at once. Kayak’s “Explore” feature is particularly useful for budget-conscious travelers, as it allows you to enter your travel dates and budget to see destinations within your price range. Kayak also integrates reviews from TripAdvisor and other sources, giving users a balanced view of their options. For tech-savvy travelers, Kayak’s app is seamless and offers instant booking confirmations and notifications on any price changes.
Cons: While Kayak aggregates a broad range of hotel prices, we’ve found that it doesn’t always have the same extensive selection of boutique properties and smaller hotels that other sites like Booking.com or Hotels.com offer. This is particularly noticeable in certain international destinations.
5. Priceline
offer huge discounts on hotels—sometimes up to 60% off—but with the catch that you won’t know the hotel name until after you book. This is ideal for flexible travelers who are willing to take a chance on a great rate. The site also allows you to name your own price for certain hotels, a unique feature that lets you negotiate rates directly.
Pro tip: To figure out what the Priceline mystery hotel will be before booking, reverse Google image search the photo.
Why we love it: Priceline is best known for its deep discounts on select hotels. While this may require some flexibility in terms of location or amenities, it’s perfect for budget travelers looking for cheap rates. Priceline also frequently offers bundled travel packages, which can help you save if you book flights, cars, and hotels together. Additionally, their VIP program gives repeat users extra benefits, such as room upgrades and complimentary breakfast, even when using discounts.
Cons: While Priceline’s “Express Deals” can save you money, the lack of transparency (you don’t know the exact hotel until after booking) may be a dealbreaker for travelers who prefer certainty.
6. Hotels.com
Hotels.com is the best hotel booking site for travelers who stay at lots of different hotel brands. This is one of the few hotel sites that allows you to earn rewards, although the reward program isn’t nearly as good as it used to be. (Hotels.com got rid of its beloved rewards program that gave travelers one free night for every 10 nights booked, changing it to a much less valuable OneKeyCash system.)
However, this loyalty program is still a huge draw for regular vacationers, who swap between Marriott, Hilton, etc. The site also frequently runs promotions and discounts, especially for those who sign up for their email alerts.
Why we love it: Hotels.com’s rewards program is a standout feature that’s easy to use and generous for frequent travelers. Whether you’re booking short weekend getaways or longer stays, the ability to earn OneKeyCash on every booking is a huge incentive.
Expedia owns Hotels.com, and VRBO, so you can earn and use OneKeyCash across those three sites.
The site’s user interface is intuitive, with detailed property descriptions and real guest reviews that help you make informed decisions. Hotels.com also often has “Secret Prices” for members, offering exclusive discounts that aren’t available to the public.
Hotels.com is also one of the only hotel booking sites that offers gift cards. Just be warned that there are a few downsides to their gift cards. Read about Hotels.com gift card merges here.
Cons: Hotels.com often shows higher prices to non-members, making it less appealing for travelers who are not interested in joining their rewards program. Also, while the rewards are generous, they may not be as competitive as other programs like Expedia’s or Booking.com’s loyalty offerings.
7. HotelsCombined
is a metasearch engine that aggregates results from all the major booking sites, allowing you to compare prices across platforms in real time. It offers a clean and easy-to-use interface and highlights the best deals. If you’re looking to make sure you’re getting the absolute lowest price, this site is perfect for a comprehensive search.
Why we love it: HotelsCombined stands out as one of the best tools for savvy travelers who want to be sure they’re getting the lowest price possible. Since it pulls rates from all the major OTAs (online travel agencies) as well as direct hotel websites, it gives you a holistic view of pricing. The site also allows you to filter search results based on specific criteria such as “free cancellation” or “pet-friendly” hotels, making it a great tool for narrowing down your options. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to jump between different hotels and booking sites, and view prices for the same property across multiple platforms.
Cons: HotelsCombined is a search aggregator, not a booking platform, meaning that you’ll have to complete your reservation on another site. This can be a bit inconvenient if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop experience, especially when issues arise during booking.
8. Expedia
Expedia is one of the largest travel booking platforms in the world and offers a seamless experience for booking hotels, flights, car rentals, and vacation packages. With an extensive inventory of hotels and an easy-to-navigate website, Expedia is a great choice for those booking multi-faceted trips. Their rewards program also gives you points for every booking, which can be redeemed for future stays.
Why we love it: Expedia’s comprehensive booking options make it a one-stop-shop for travelers. You can easily bundle your hotel with flights, car rentals, or activities, often saving you more money in the process. The site’s reward program, called “Expedia Rewards,” is a big draw for frequent travelers, offering perks like exclusive member prices and VIP access to special offers. Expedia also frequently runs sales on hotels and vacation packages, making it a great choice for those who want to plan and book everything in one place with the assurance of reliability and customer support.
As noted above, Expedia owns Hotels.com, and VRBO, so you can earn and use OneKeyCash across those three sites.
Cons: While Expedia is known for competitive pricing, we’ve noticed hidden fees and service charges that can make your final total higher than expected. Be sure to check the full breakdown before confirming your booking.
9. TripAdvisor
is not just a hotel booking site, but also a place to read thousands of reviews from other travelers, which helps make informed decisions. The site aggregates reviews from a variety of sources, including booking sites, so you can get a more holistic view of each hotel. You can also easily compare prices for the same hotel across multiple booking platforms directly on the site.
Why we love it: TripAdvisor is the go-to platform for anyone looking to read real, unfiltered guest reviews before making a booking. Whether you’re seeking a budget hotel or a luxury resort, TripAdvisor provides comprehensive reviews, photos, and ratings to guide your decision. Additionally, the site’s “Compare Prices” feature allows you to see pricing across all the major OTAs, which can save you time and effort. For those who like to research before booking, TripAdvisor also features travel forums and a helpful Q&A section where you can ask questions directly to previous guests.
Cons: With so many reviews to sift through, it can be difficult to get an accurate sense of a hotel’s quality. The volume of opinions can sometimes be contradictory or overly detailed, which may overwhelm travelers looking for a quick decision.
10. Trivago
is another metasearch engine that compares hotel prices from multiple online booking sites. It’s quick, efficient, and offers a clean user interface that makes finding the best rates simple. Trivago is especially good at highlighting discounts and special offers, so if you’re looking for a bargain, it’s worth checking out before booking your stay.
Why we love it: Trivago’s strength lies in its ability to offer side-by-side price comparisons from all the major hotel booking platforms in one place. The site also frequently runs promotions and highlights hotels offering special deals, such as discounted rates or added perks like free breakfast. Trivago’s mobile app makes it easy to search and book on-the-go.
Cons: We’ve occasionally noticed discrepancies between the price displayed on Trivago and the final price when redirected to the booking site. This is more common with special offers or last-minute deals, so it’s important to double-check the final price before booking.
Which Hotel Booking Site Should I Use?
Choosing the right hotel booking site depends on a few factors, like where you’re traveling, your budget, and what kind of travel experience you want. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- For flexibility: Booking.com and Agoda offer a wide variety of accommodation types, flexible cancellation policies, and a huge number of options.
- For exclusive perks: Hotels.com and Mr. & Mrs. Smith provide great rewards and extra perks for frequent travelers or those seeking a luxury stay.
- For comparing prices: Google, Trivago, and HotelsCombined excel at comparing prices from multiple booking platforms in one place.
- For deals and discounts: Priceline, Hotwire, and Kayak offer great deals, especially if you’re flexible with your travel dates and hotel choice.
Is it Cheaper to Book Directly With a Hotel or a Hotel Booking Site?
Whether it’s cheaper to book directly with a hotel or with a hotel booking site really depends on the hotel, location, and dates. We recommend searching hotel booking sites to find the best deals and hotel and then going directly to the hotel’s website to compare prices.
If you can, it’s generally better to book directly with a hotel, as they will have more power to help you with your reservation if you need to change something or if something goes wrong. Booking directly may also be more likely to help you score an upgrade or perks.
Another reason to book directly: You usually can’t earn hotel loyalty points when booking through a third-party website. For example, if you book a Marriott hotel on Hotels.com, you won’t earn Bonvoy points.
Pro Tip: Try calling a hotel directly and asking them to price-match a low rate you’ve found on a hotel booking site. They will often match or beat the rate.
Should You Use No-Name Hotel Booking Sites?
We don’t recommend using hotel booking sites that you’ve never heard of. The big names, like Priceline or Booking.com have 24/7 customer service and can help you with things that go wrong. We’ve heard horror stories of people booking through no-name hotel sites just to save a few bucks, only to show up and the hotel has no record of their confirmation, and no customer service number to call.
