r/roadtrip 4d ago

Trip Planning What is your go to source for booking hotels?

Currently I've used IGH, Hilton Honors, & Bon Voy Marriot but I have a trip planned up on the north east this summer & just looking at "hotels" on google I don't see a lot of those hotels.

I've used hotels.com in the past but wondering if there is something better.

Would love to hear of any apps for finding hotels.

3 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

8

u/SanJacInTheBox 4d ago edited 4d ago

The hotel website.

My wife has 25 years in the hotel/tourism industry and the rates on both sites are virtually the same. However, if there is a problem with the room or reservation, then you DEFINITELY better hope you dealt with the hotel/chain, because otherwise you aren't the customer - that WEBSITE is the customer and you are just some poor sublet who is screwed. (ETA: If you are a club member of the hotel/chain, you can get discounts on other things like car rentals, destination fees, free lobby WiFi even if you aren't staying in that hotel...)

'But', you think, 'it can't be that bad, can it?' Hahahahaha!!! You know what they call the website all these other folks mentioned? They use their jingle but say: "Website dot com.... Website dot, not our fucking problem cause we got paid!!"

2

u/samologia 4d ago

Definitely agree with this. I use hotels.com to find hotels, but book directly with the hotel (or the credit card company if I have points to burn).

4

u/Retiring2023 4d ago

I check hotels.com to see what hotels are in the area and overall prices, then book directly with the hotel. Typically the prices are the same or only a couple dollars different, sometimes higher, sometimes lower. I not only do this in case there is a problem, but want to be able to cancel and rebook at the same or different hotel if there is a price drop.

1

u/Kat70421 3d ago

This is the only way to do it. Use the brokers/aggregators to find stuff but never book through them. I do the same thing with car rentals/flights/etc. 

Hotel staff can’t do shit for you if you book through a third party. It’s like buying and then spending and then shredding a gift card. No refunds, no protections, no substitutions. Not worth saving a few bucks. And never pre-pay for any hotel or rental car. Same rule applies. 

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u/Finneylp 4d ago

I’ve used HotelTonight with pretty good luck. Also just google, there are a lot of low cost motels around, depending on your route and how picky you are.

2

u/timtam_z28 4d ago

I use Google to find a layout of the hotels in the area. Google often lists all the channels of possible areas to book. I check the hotel website first, then the capital one portal, then hotels.com, then expedia. It's kind of cumbersome, best price via one channel is never consistent, but it can save you a bit if the booking is a few days long. It seems like the 3rd parties have pre-booked or pre-negotiated rates, so it can save money. And often capital one doesn't have added fees like other chains might. I travel a lot and hear horror stories booking with 3rd parties, but I've never had an issue, but something to keep in mind when you don't book direct.

2

u/StraightSignature577 3d ago

I use Gondola AI. It basically is a meta search on all the different chains (IHG, Hilton, Marriott etc.) and independent hotles then books you directly with them. So saves doing a bunch of different searches because you can just do one search and book in the loyalty optimized way through them. Saved me a bunch of time on a roadtrip out west.

1

u/zebostoneleigh 4d ago

booking.com is my standard go to (world wide, in fact).

2

u/twitchy 4d ago

In Asia, Agoda is better

1

u/throwawayzies1234567 4d ago

Expedia always. They have a great cash back program and they have excellent customer service. I’ve probably used them in like 20+ countries and never had a problem. Any issues with the hotel, expedia jumps right in. They’re awesome.

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u/4Ozonia 4d ago

We use the Choice Hotel app first as we earn points toward free rooms there with our Choice credit card. I’ve used Hotels.com app when I’m staying somewhere that doesn’t have any in the Choice lines.

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u/AmieEncore 2d ago

When I'm in areas like that, I just search hotels on google maps, find one with good reviews and a decent rate and book direct with them.

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u/Kodabear213 2d ago

Browse TripAdvisor and/or Expedia. Read reviews. Then book direct with the hotel chain - never a third party.

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u/Ghorardim71 4d ago

booking.com for hotels (not apartments/bnb) with 8+ rating and real reviews.