Whether you’re planning a family vacation, weekend getaway, or business trip, finding the right hotel at the best price can make or break your entire experience. With so many hotel booking websites out there to choose from, each advertising that it has the lowest rates and best rewards programs, how do you know which site to truly trust to get you the best deal?
As a frequent traveler who has stayed in everything from luxury five-star resorts to quaint indie hotels, I’ve tried booking accommodations through nearly every major hotel website. After years of comparisons and first-hand experiences, I have strong opinions on which booking site consistently delivers when it comes to price, availability, ease of use, and reliability.
I’ll share my insights and experiences to crown which hotel booking website I believe reigns supreme overall for travelers. I’ll highlight the stand-out features of my top pick, along with pros and cons for travelers of some other popular booking sites.
Whether your goal is to maximize rewards points, find hidden deals, or ensure a seamless booking experience, my best hotel booking website recommendation aims to help simplify your search to match your priorities.
There are many popular and reputable hotel booking websites that offer a wide range of options for travelers. Keep in mind that the best website for you may depend on your specific preferences, budget, and travel needs.
Here are some well-known hotel booking websites:
Booking.com
Known for its extensive database of accommodations worldwide, Booking.com offers a variety of choices, including hotels, apartments, and hostels. It often provides user reviews and allows for free cancellation on many properties. I love using Booking because it’s trustworthy and reliable. I’ve also found it has the most options in Europe!
Delta
Fly Delta Airlines frequently? Delta Air Lines has a partnership with millions of hotels, allowing travelers to earn SkyMiles when booking hotel stays through the Delta Hotels website. Using the Delta Hotels portal, you can earn SkyMiles for each qualifying stay, contributing to your frequent flyer account. This is my preferred way to book hotels because I’m a loyal Delta customer!
Expedia
Expedia is a comprehensive travel platform that not only allows you to book hotels but also flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. It offers a loyalty program called Expedia Rewards. It’s not my top choice but nevertheless, it’s quite popular!
Hotels.com
I used to love Hotels.com and recommended them for years. Sadly, I no longer book through them since their loyalty program went downhill. (It used to offer one free night after every 10 nights booked and stayed through the platform.) The Hotels.com website is known for its user-friendly interface which is easy to navigate. They do have a new OneKey rewards program where you can earn a free night’s stay after booking a certain dollar amount.
Priceline
Priceline allows you to bid on hotel rooms and find discounted rates. They also offer a “Name Your Own Price” feature where you can get exclusive deals by bidding on rooms without knowing the exact hotel until after booking.
Agoda
Particularly popular in Asia, Agoda offers a broad selection of accommodations worldwide. It often features special deals and discounts, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
Trivago
Trivago compares hotel prices from various booking sites, helping you find the best deal. It provides an overview of prices for a specific hotel across different platforms.
Kayak
Kayak is a travel search engine that can help you find and compare prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars. It redirects you to other booking sites to complete your reservation.
Remember to read reviews, compare prices, and check the terms and conditions before making a reservation. It’s also a good idea to check the hotel’s official website directly, as they sometimes offer exclusive deals or benefits for booking a room directly.
