Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

What website to book hotels, not bidding?

Search

What website to book hotels, not bidding?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 10:01 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What website to book hotels, not bidding?

Not PL or Hotwire. Don't want to bid. I am searching for particular dates in a particular city. Just wondering what you use and find helpful. I tried hotels.com but I put in the search and it just shows the little man walking forever and doesn't give me the results. Very frustrating. So, if you have any helpful ideas for a good workable website, please pass on. Thanks in advance.
Heavens is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 10:36 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 13,485
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Might depend on the city, one website might feature the best rates in Las Vegas while another consistently offers the best deals in NYC.

expedia.com
hotelkingdom.com
travelocity.com
quikbook.com are a few that I check
clarkgriswold is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 10:45 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
you can also download travelaxe.com which prices about 15 online booking engines and highlights the lowest price.
travelinwifey is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 10:45 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Travelaxe.com - after downloading, searches nine online booking sites.

Double check before booking with Expedia. Most rooms are prepay and rates are often the same, even higher (much higher) than booking at the same hotel's website without having to prepay.
djkbooks is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 10:51 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, that is part of it. I don't want to be precharged and I want to be able to cancel down the road if I change my mind. I know, I want the moon. Just wondering what site you all use to kind of simplify the searching/booking process. I will check into these. Thanks.
Heavens is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 11:01 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There's a pretty good feature of tripadvisor.com which will give you a quote from several online providers for your dates and hotels. It usually comes up as "Compare all deals on (name of your chosen hotel)"
Suzie is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 11:13 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Orbitz.com and travelweb.com are two more good ones, often listing lower rates than expedia or travelocity.
joan is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 12:37 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,974
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you have a particular chain you like, Marriott, Westin, Hyatt, Intercontinential, etc. Many now offer a "Lowest Price Guarantee".
Frank is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 01:12 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is one of my favorites

http://www.choicehotels.com/
halbo49 is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 01:33 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I echo the suggestions for Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz as well as others posted here. However, before booking on them, I would first check the hotel you're interested in website to see if the rates are the same. If they are, I personally would book straight with the hotel itself. No matter where you book, pay close attention for to see if these are prepay rates and what the cancellation policies are.
Cats_Do_Dance is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 02:03 PM
  #11  
sam
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I use Travelaxe.com too, a search engine of search engines.
sam is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2004, 08:55 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I always check Expedia (although I've never booked anything with them) and possibly another "discount" site. Always check the hotels website direct and I usually call also. I always end up booking with them direct.
lenleigh is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2004, 07:15 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I personally have a lot of luck with orbitz, which actually partners with Hotwire. But you're not bidding -- you get to choose dates, city, etc...and if you find a better deal Orbitz will match it.
Baligirl is offline  
Old Aug 13th, 2004, 05:46 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok so my friend said I"m wrong...orbitz doesn't partner with hotwire...it's one of the other travel sites that does. but the hotel match thing did work -- i got a great deal on the hotel I wanted to stay at next weekend for my friend's wedding -- The Hudson in NYC...must be bc it's NO bidding (yes, I"m awake now!). Sorry for mistake and hope this helps!
Baligirl is offline  
Old Aug 13th, 2004, 05:55 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
One other option is to download the sidestep.com software. It will search for best prices (supposedly). But I agree with many of the other websites you've been given. No one site will always have the best deal. And certain sites require pre pay on some hotels and not others. The feature Suzie mentions on tripadvisor is very good. Also interesting (using that feature) that on some websites a hotel will show up as unavailable on particular dates while on another it will be available.???
mclaurie is offline  
Old Aug 13th, 2004, 06:41 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I always check expedia and travelocity but then typically book with the hotel directly. I can usually do as well with AARP, AAA, or similar weekend specials or other discounts, and there is no booking fee.
bjboothman is offline  
Old Aug 13th, 2004, 05:23 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Travelzoo and eleisurelink.
enjoylife is offline  
Old Aug 13th, 2004, 05:27 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
hotelselect.co.uk
serpico is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rml
Europe
14
Apr 15th, 2010 07:36 AM
loisco
United States
11
Oct 29th, 2009 10:50 AM
Heavens
United States
10
Jul 5th, 2005 07:35 PM
thordarson
United States
12
Feb 24th, 2005 06:23 AM
SallyB
United States
11
Mar 6th, 2004 09:49 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -