how do hotels have dif rates on dif websites.are they all genuine?rather late to ask since i have just booked hotel aris in brussels for 77 euros on bookings.com when a much higher rate is listed on the aris main website !!

Can't answer your question re differing rates, but I'd phone the Aris to confirm your reservation.

Hmmm, bookings.com seems to be a portal to sites such as Marriott, Expedia, hotels.com, Orbitz, Priceline, Travelocity, and Cheaptickets. With whom did you actually book the Aris?

It is not at all uncommon for booking "engines" or services to offer lower rates than those posted on hotel websites. The hotel gets a better chance to fill rooms and at the same time doesn't have to list those alternative lower rates on its own website.

In my experience the rates are definitely genuine and the booking service gets a commission for filling the room, too. Gives you some idea of just how low a hotel is willing to go to fill rooms.

There are definitely instances where genuinely lower prices are offered by different websites.

One thing to look out for in this situation is whether taxes are included in the website price; for Italian hotels I've often seen rooms listed c.10% cheaper on some sites, and when you read the small print you have to pay the difference in tax directly to the hotel.

http://booking.com/

Booking services offer rates they think they can get over and above the rate discounts they receive from the hotels because people do not like to check several sources before making a decision.

One of the major differences you need to watch out for is that when you book through a booking service, the room may not be available, so as already suggested, you really need to check with the hotel itself, and regardless of what you find out, be sure to have a copy of the confirmation when you check in.

Hi K,

>how do hotels have dif rates on dif websites.are they all genuine?<

For the same reason that car dealerships have different prices for the same car.

You will also find differences in airfares.

I think it depends from the website..
if the hotels are listed much more higher, it means that the website retains some money...

www.bookings.com is not a portal. It's just a booking service like venere. I've used them a lot and never had a problem. They use to have very good rates so I always check with them first.

Hate to confuse the issue but I noticed that some are referring to Bookings.com--note the S and others are referring to Booking.com and they are not typos. Bookings appears to be a portal and the other is not!!!

Booking.com used to have the plural domain, but at some point in the last year they no longer did.

I've had good luck with Booking.com . The important thing, as mentioned, is to follow up to ensure your booking has been transmitted to the hotel. Often the rates are cheaper there than what you can get directly. It's because the sites act as wholesalers for the hotels.