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Best Online Hotel Booking Websites

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Travel Insider Secrets For Finding The Best Hotel Deals

As a self professed chronic budget traveler I'm always on the look out for the best travel deals, whether it be plane tickets, car rentals and hotels. Especially hotels. Hotels make up the biggest portion of any travel budget. That is of course if you're 18 years old and won't mind huffing it in a hostel's bunk beds.

No, I'm in my mid 30's now and a prefer a nice clean room with a comfortable bed that has a clean shower with strong water pressure. And I want that room at an affordable reasonable price. I know the word 'affordable' is relative. But I also know everyone wants to get the best price possible, especially for hotel rooms. A hotel room is important. It's a home away from home. And if you don't live in a dump at home than why would anyone want to book a budget hotel room online that is basically a dump itself.

That's where online hotel reservation agencies come in handy.

However, there are many hotel agencies available today on the Internet. Many are reputable and most you've probably heard of from television commercials or print ads and of certainly ads from google searches.

What I suggest (and this is a travel industry travel secret) is to search through the services of hotel reservation agencies that specialize in the region you are traveling to. Regional hotel booking agencies are far more capable of providing better hotel rates than agencies that deal with the global hotel market. Plus regional agencies lists more hotel options for you to choose and since they have a better knowledge of the local market they are first to be notified of the deals and rates.

Makes sense doesn't it? Here's one example. If you need a hotel in Tokyo, Japan visit Rakuten Travel Inc. They are a licensed agency based in Japan who are able to provide more knowledge and better rates for hotels compared to Travelocity.com, one of the biggest Internet travel agencies around.

Here's all you need to know. Book hotels online through local or regional hotel agencies. You'll get the best rates that way. You can find a review of hotel agencies below that specialize in specific regions.

What About Booking A Room Through A Hotel Directly?

I don't have any problems with booking a room through a hotel directly, unless you know for sure that it's the best price available. Matter of fact if you find a hotel you are interested in staying in I recommend you check their rates for the dates you are planning to visit with hotel reservation agencies. This way you will know how much you will be saving and can then proceed to pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for the money saved.

Why are hotel reservation agencies able to offer better rates
than the hotels directly?

Today 95% of all hotel bookings are done via the Internet. Anyone with an access to a computer can become their own travel agent. Hotels recognize that travelers have a really huge choice of hotels to choose from, especially if the city is huge like New York City. They know that the Internet is such a huge vast expanse of space that a potential guest may not notice their hotel at all.

Hotel reservation agencies such as the ones reviewed below are masters at marketing on the Internet. All the best agencies have search engines that lists all hotels in a city that they represent. This way hotels have a much better chance of being noticed by potential guests. Then a guest can book on the agency website directly. And since hotel agencies receive a bulk discount rate for the rooms part of that discount is passed onto you.

Another good reason to find a room through a hotel reservation agency are the unbiased reviews and ratings by genuine guests who've stayed in the hotel. Agencies realize that travelers love to know about guests experiences with a particular hotel. This way they can make a sound judgment on whether to book a room or move onto find another.

Best Online Hotel Booking Websites For Hotels In Asia

From the Land of Smile to the Land of the Rising Sun - These agencies provide the best rates for travel throughout Asia

From Thailand to Japan. Today travel to Asia is one of the most popularly traveled destinations. Asian cities are growing rapidly and the locals are even more welcoming and excited to see people from all over the world.

With progress comes a price. Hotel rates in most major Asian countries are becoming more expensive. Though the ones in developing countries are still very affordable and the quality very reasonable.

Rakuten Travel Inc.

Specializes in Japan hotel market

Rakuten Travel Inc.'s WebsiteTrendy and fashionable, yet old traditional Japan is one of the countries I've been visiting more frequently for writing reviews on traveling there. It's known as one of the most expensive countries in Asia, which is the reason finding a knowledgable local hotel booking agency is even more important.

I came upon Rakuten Travel through a Japanese colleague who operates a tourist agency in Tokyo. From her I've learned much about their operation and was surprised I had not learnt about their services earlier in my career. Rakuten is most popular with the younger crowd who most often need to travel on a budget. As a business traveler I noticed that I found the best hotel rates for whichever city I'm staying in Japan. They represent 24,000 hotels in Japan and 45,000 hotels in throughout Asia. Visit Rakuten Travel and check them out for yourself.

Agoda

Excellent source of discount hotels throughout Asia

Agoda WebsiteAgoda is a familiar name in the online hotel booking industry. They are a part of a much larger company called Priceline.com which provides bookings and reservations for anything travel related.

Agoda only deals with the hotel sector and I find that they do it really well. From my experience they offer the best rates for hotels throughout Asia, especially for Southeast Asia, probably due to the fact that they have offices in Singapore and Bangkok, Thailand.

Agoda is also able to provide really good hotel rates worldwide. But as you can see below I have other recommendations that you should check out first. That said, Agoda.com is worth the time to use for comparing rates with other hotel reservation agencies.

Best Online Hotel Booking Website For Europe, North America, South America, Middle East & Africa

These companies are all around excellent for the best rates

Booking.com

Looking for discounted hotel rooms in Europe? Check here first.

Booking.com WebsiteThere is one thing in common about hotels in most major cities in Europe. If you've done a research on hotels in London or Helsinki you will know what I mean. They are not cheap. But of course that doesn't mean you have to pay full price.

One of the best benefit about using their services I found is that they usually do not charge up front fees for making a hotel reservation on their website. So you pay for your entire stay at the hotel. There is no reservation fee to pay. They only require your credit card information for holding on to your reservation. And they have free cancellations on most hotel bookings.

For finding hotel deals throughout Europe I recommend Booking.com a reliable agency based in Europe with offices around the world.

Hotelclub.com

One of the biggest names in online hotel booking

Hotelclub.com's WebsiteHotelclub.com is one of the most reliable all around source for discounted hotels throughout the world. Though their real specialty is in the Western hotel market. They are partnered with many other popular Internet travel agencies so they have connections to over 65,000 hotels throughout the world.

They too have a really good member's awards program which can be used for future hotel discounts. Take a look at Hotelclub.com for discounted hotels for yourself.

CheapOstay

Recommended for finding discounted hotel rates in the United States

CheapOstay.com's WebsiteCheapOstay is a part of a much larger agency that deals with airplane tickets, car rentals and other such services. I know I mentioned that it's best to book hotels through companies that specifically deal in the hotel industry.

CheapOstay is an exception since I and many other travelers have noticed that they consistently offer some very low rates for hotels throughout the United States.

So if it's a budget hotel you need in the Big Apple or luxury resort near Disney World at an affordable price check out CheapOstay.com.

Which Website Do You Prefer?

If you have tried any of these websites out, please do let us know about your experience.

  • Tisha Lowe May 23, 2012 @ 8:34 pm | delete
    I recommend Cheapostay too. I've been using them repeatedly for 4 years. I found many discounts of hotels near Disney land on their website. I just want to add that I've been following your travel reviews and I think you do a great job.
  • Tim Johnson May 15, 2012 @ 5:49 pm | delete
    I just tried Agoda and booked a few nights for a hotel in Tokyo. The rates were quite good compared to a few other websites I typically go in search of hotels. And Agoda saved me about $10 a night. Which really adds up, so thank you buddy!
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Edwin_Clark

Edwin Clark is a native New Yorker working as a consultant in the travel industry. He enjoys traveling around and living in Asia where he enjoys writing... more »

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