Booking a hotel through a booking site can be a gamble. Is the room going to look like the pictures? Will the price I see on the thumbnail be the same I pay in the end? And, most importantly, is the booking site itself legit? These are the questions on many travellers’ minds when they’re searching for a place to stay. But fear not, dear reader! In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into one of the most popular hotel booking sites: Booking.com. I’ll answer the burning question on everyone’s mind: is Booking.com legit? I’ll also give you the lowdown on prices — including Booking.com’s price match guarantee, the choices, and all the nitty-gritty details.
By the time you’re finished reading this article, you’ll be an expert on Booking.com and ready to book your next trip with confidence. So, let’s get started!
Who’s Booking.com?
It all started back in 1996 in Amsterdam when two Dutch guys decided to launch a travel start-up. Fast forward to today, and Booking.com has grown to offer over 28 million accommodation listings in over 227 countries and territories worldwide1. Yes, you read that right — 28 million! That’s more accommodation options than there are flavours of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. And, let’s face it, with that many choices, you’re bound to find the perfect place to stay.
Now, you may be wondering where they don’t offer accommodations. Well, I hate to break it to you, but even Booking.com can’t book a room in outer space (yet). But other than that, they have options pretty much wherever your travels take you. So, whether you’re looking for a luxury villa in Bali or a cosy bed and breakfast in the Swiss Alps, you can find a cool place to stay through Booking.com.
How does Booking.com work?
All you have to do is type in your destination and travel dates, and voilà, Booking.com’s search engine will give you a list of available options. From there, you can filter your results by price, location, accommodation type, and more, to find the perfect place for you. And if you need a little extra help, Booking.com’s customer service team is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
What types of accommodation does Booking.com offer?
Planning a trip is exciting, but choosing where to stay can be stressful. Lucky for us, Booking.com has everything from fancy hotels to cosy guesthouses.
Besides traditional hotels and guesthouses, travellers can also find more unique choices, such as vacation rentals, apartments or even castles! Because, let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to feel like royalty for a day?
If you’re really feeling adventurous, why not check out one of their more unusual lodging options, like a houseboat, igloo, or even a treehouse? That’s right, you can live out your childhood dream of sleeping in a treehouse — just be sure to pack your walkie-talkie!
How good are the accommodation prices at Booking.com?
Finding the right accommodation isn’t just about the price tag — it’s about finding a place that meets your needs and fits your travel style. So whether you’re a solo traveller on a tight budget or a family looking for a spacious apartment, you can find that perfect place on the site.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, ‘But, Erin, what about the value?’ Don’t worry, my friend, Booking.com won’t leave you hanging. They offer a variety of options that give you the best bang for your buck, without sacrificing quality.
So, how does Booking.com compare to its competitors? Pretty darn well, if you ask me — but hey, don’t just take my word for it. Below, you can find our ratings after extensive research on all major travel sites; number 5 is for the cheapest option, while number 1 is the lowest and most expensive score.
Hotel class: 3-star hotel
Room characteristics: Standard room
Location: New York City, USA
Dates: May 16th to May 23rd
Hotel class: 5-star hotel
Room characteristics: 1 King bed
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Dates: May 16th to May 23rd
What are the main features of the Booking.com wesbsite?
Security
Security is the number one priority for any online transaction, and Booking.com takes it seriously. You can rest assured that your personal and payment information is safe and secure when you book through them.
Filters and sorting
With so many accommodation options, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect one for you. But filters and sorting make it easier for you to narrow down your options. You can read more about Booking.com’s in the filters sections below.
Map
The map feature is another great tool for finding the perfect accommodation. With a visual representation of where the accommodation is located in relation to the surrounding area, you can easily plan your itinerary and explore the neighbourhood.
Top tip
Use the map feature in conjunction with another tool like Google Maps (or, specifically, Street View) to see how far hotels really are from places. Booking.com might say you’re five miles away from the city centre, but there could be an underground station right around the corner, getting you there in five minutes. Just the same, the hotel page could say it’s next to the beach when there’s a highway in the middle with no walkable area. Be on the lookout!
User Reviews
We all know that word of mouth is the best way to get an honest opinion about a place. Booking.com’s user reviews give you an idea of what to expect from the accommodation you’re interested in. You can filter by rating, traveller type, and even language so you get the most relevant feedback.
What are the best Booking.com accommodation filters to use?
Let’s talk about one of the most useful features on Booking.com: filtering by accommodation features. Because, let’s be honest, no one wants to sift through a thousand accommodation options to find the perfect one.
Here’s what I found. First off, the filters can make your life so much easier. You can filter by accommodation type, location, price, amenities, and more. And the more specific you get, the easier it is to find the perfect accommodation. For example, if you absolutely need a hotel with a pool, you can tick the pool filter, and your search is instantly narrowed down to lodgings where you can take a dip.
Besides the useful filters, the icons used for each accommodation feature are pretty self-explanatory, making it easy to understand what’s included in each option. And being able to filter by review score, so you only see options with great ratings, is a nice touch.
Top tip
Your search results after applying filters can get a little messy, let’s say, moody. If you’re not seeing the results you expected, try tweaking them a bit!
What is the Booking.com price match and how does it work?
Are you looking to get the best deal on your accommodation? Of course you are! That’s where the Booking.com price match guarantee comes in.
The Booking.com price match guarantee means that, if you find the same accommodation for a lower price, Booking.com will match it or even beat it.
But how does it work, I hear you ask? Well, it’s pretty simple. Say you’ve booked your stay on Booking.com and then find the same hotel, apartment or other accommodation for a lower price on another booking platform. You can get in touch with the Booking.com up to 24 hours before checking in, and Booking.com will then match the lower price or even beat it. In other words, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting the best deal possible.
It’s worth noting that not all accommodations on Booking.com are eligible for the price match guarantee — but don’t worry, there are plenty of available options.
