Cheap Hotels

[dune]

Been doing lots of searching for good deals on hotels and I have found that comparison sites are a waste of time as they only seem to link to booking sites, as opposed to booking and paying before you travel sites. In any case the booking sites like hotels.com don't give very good prices anyway from what i've seen.

 

Check this site out if you're planning a holiday - some really good prices!

 

http://www.mytravel.com/booking/uptripsbase?method=refresh

[trousers]

I typically use the comparison sites to locate the best options then contact the hotel direct to get a better deal.

 

As you say, you're highly unlikely to get a better deal by booking direct via a search site.

 

It's one of the few remaining industries where you can haggle a price with the local manager without being fobbed off with "not company policy sir"

[niceandfriendly]

As you say, you're highly unlikely to get a better deal by booking direct via a search site.

 

Not the case with hotel bookings. These search sites buy up certain amount of rooms in advance and are often left with huge numbers they need to sell before a certain time, meaning their prices can often be lower than calling the hotel direct.

[dellboypete]

Not the case with hotel bookings. These search sites buy up certain amount of rooms in advance and are often left with huge numbers they need to sell before a certain time, meaning their prices can often be lower than calling the hotel direct.

 

How strange! I booked a hotel in Paris yesterday (Versailles to be precise). We have stayed there quite a lot as my daughter lives there - needed a hotel for the weekend after next (clash with brum away sadly). Lastminute do these "Secret hotels" but with a bit of googling you can usually guess which one - I saved over 100 quid booking this one, its a top 4* for two nights compared to the usual lastminute, latebookers etc, and over 200 on the hotel website.

 

I have used these sites for hotels throughout Europe and the Middle East and saved a packet. It's always worth checking the hotel websites directly as they often have good special offers.

[buctootim]

You bought some shares in Thomas Cook Dune?

Edited 25 January, 2012 by buctootim

[trousers]

Not the case with hotel bookings. These search sites buy up certain amount of rooms in advance and are often left with huge numbers they need to sell before a certain time, meaning their prices can often be lower than calling the hotel direct.

 

Fair enough. Doesn't match my experience (and I use these sites quite a lot) but maybe that's more an indication of how good a deal I can get by blagging with the hotel directly on the phone or email than how good the comparison sites are!

[stevegrant]

I find the deals you can get with the big search sites vary quite significantly. Sometimes there's simply nothing of any worth available, but other times you'll get a gem - I managed to get a triple room in a 4* hotel in Karlsruhe last Friday for £50, when the normal rate for the same room is €115.

[buctootim]

Fair enough. Doesn't match my experience (and I use these sites quite a lot) but maybe that's more an indication of how good a deal I can get by blagging with the hotel directly on the phone or email than how good the comparison sites are!

 

A lot of hotels now have a guarantee of getting the cheapest price by going direct and will undertake to beat -or sometimes match and give another 10% off - any internet offer. So imo you are doing the best thing Trousers, search the net and then approach the hotel with the best price you have found.

 

Name your own price on priceline is good too. You specify an area and star rating then name the price you are prepared to pay, and then see if the website accepts or rejects it. Priceline only use major chains so the quality is reliable ( or 'boring' if you want quirky local flavour). I regularly stay in Paris at the 4* Marriott Rive Gauche for £65 per night for a king size bed room. You can sometimes haggle a deal for a package of breakfast, free movies, wi-fi and access to club room (free beer, snacks and coffee) for 30 euros pn also.

Edited 25 January, 2012 by buctootim

[Jonnyboy]

A lot of hotels now have a guarantee of getting the cheapest price by going direct and will undertake to beat -or sometimes match and give another 10% off - any internet offer. So imo you are doing the best thing Trousers, search the net and then approach the hotel with the best price you have found.

 

Name your own price on priceline is good too. You specify an area and star rating then name the price you are prepared to pay, and then see if the website accepts or rejects it. Priceline only use major chains so the quality is reliable ( or 'boring' if you want quirky local flavour). I regularly stay in Paris at the 4* Marriott Rive Gauche for £65 per night for a king size bed room. You can sometimes haggle a deal for a package of breakfast, free movies, wi-fi and access to club room (free beer, snacks and coffee) for 30 euros pn also.

 

do you do that direct with hotel by email?

[dune]

I mostly use travelrepublic and have never had any problems. Them and the My group are the best deals i've found.

[buctootim]

do you do that direct with hotel by email?

 

No I just do it at reception. It depends a little on which receptionist you get and whether the hotel is busy (if they have a conference or lots of flight crew in). Well worth negotiating a package though because Marriotts tend to have fairly cheap headline room rates and high cost extras like wifi and breakfast.