Before you go on a trip, download at least one hotel search and booking app. If something goes wrong, you can always pick up your phone and find a replacement hotel. Prices in the apps do not differ significantly from each other, so evaluate the interface and ease of use more.
I had a case in St. Petersburg, when booking through the hotel website was 20% cheaper than through the app. So always check the hotel website. It will not always be cheaper on the app. The best strategy is to compare prices from several sources, including the official hotel website, as sometimes it offers options that are not passed on to aggregators or offers the same prices minus commissions.
Booking.com
Booking.com is a hotel, apartment and hostel booking service. It was founded in 1996 and people have trusted it for many years. You can book a hotel, buy a plane ticket and order a transfer through it. The goal of Booking.com is to provide all possible services in one place.
The service does not require any additional booking fees or payment by credit card. You can communicate with the owner of the accommodation directly through the app or by calling the phone number provided. After booking, you will receive confirmation electronically, without the need to print anything. Booking.com also offers 24/7 customer support in over 40 languages.
When searching, you can select the desired distance to the metro, the availability of in-room amenities and free breakfast, and also see the distance to nearby attractions. Most properties have at least several reviews, which allows you to find out the pros and cons of each property from previous guests.
If you are going to a country whose language you don't speak, you can find the hotel address in the local language in the app. Just show it to your taxi or Uber driver.
Available for Android / iPhone / Web.
Airbnb
Airbnb is the most famous service for short-term housing rentals. There are no hotels here. Only private houses and apartments from owners. Thanks to the moderation of ads, a reliable selection and rating system, there are practically no scammers here. On Airbnb, you will find a lot of options, wherever you go (Russia, France, China and even Africa).
When you book, your money is put on hold in your Airbnb account. It will only be transferred to the landlord's account if you stay in the apartment for the specified number of days and no emergencies occur. You can cancel your reservation any day after check-in, and the remaining funds (minus the service fee) for unused days will be returned to your card.
The design of the application is very convenient. It is easy to use, and browsing the list of offers will be a pleasure. Free dates for check-in are calculated automatically. If desired, you can write to the owner of the apartment in the chat of the application, but this is not necessary. To book accommodation, just enter the bank card number, select the desired dates and confirm your choice.
Available for Android / iPhone / Web.
Trivago
Trivago's greatest strength is its price comparison. It aggregates information from sites like Expedia, Hotels.com, LateRooms, Booking.com, Priceline, HotelTonight and many others. This allows you to find all possible hotels by comparing prices in one place. It also shows interesting hidden deals at low prices that are not available to the "man in the street".
Available for Android / iPhone / Web.
KAYAK
KAYAK provides a full range of travel services. To its credit, it does a great job. Plus, the interface is one of the most beautiful on this list. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel booking sites to find the best deal. The page for your chosen hotel will show you the cost of your booking through various sites.
You can find the right flight, get a great hotel room, and rent a car all in one place. And for less than you would have to rent each one separately. KAYAK shows you private deals that are only available on your smartphone.
There are also some useful filters. You can filter by number of stops, airlines, departure time, additional amenities. In addition, there is a “Price Alert” feature, with which you will never miss a good deal. With the AR feature, you can scan your suitcase to determine its size and find out whether its dimensions are suitable for carry-on luggage or not.
There are a huge number of types of housing. There is absolutely everything. From a camper van to a palace. To avoid reading each review, you can go to the "Reviews" tab and see the average rating for staff, cleanliness, location and service.
Available for Android / iPhone / Web.
Hotels.com
Hotels.com is not only a hotel, but also a short-term rental of all types. Special offers can be compared before booking.
The app shows deals on "Secret Price" and also has a great program for frequent users. "Special Offers" will save you money when booking last minute deals. Weekend last minute sales are also available. Gold or Silver members get extra travel privileges for VIP accommodations.
The features include information about the number of rooms in the hotel and the number of floors, as well as requirements for check-in. The downside is that when you open the list of hotels on the map, the prices are not visible.
Available for Android / iPhone / Web.
Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor will help you not only find and book a hotel room, but also find a cheap flight ticket. The site has a huge number of user reviews with detailed information about the place of interest.
Essentially, Tripadvisor is a complete travel planning tool. You can map out a complete trip itinerary, find a hotel room, restaurants, book roundtrip flights, and find attractions. You can even buy tickets for tours.
Available for Android / iPhone / Web.
Expedia Hotels
Expedia Hotels works with hotels all over the world. In addition, the app allows you to save not only on a hotel, but also on airfare and car rental. Savings can be up to 25 percent if you take advantage of hotel offers that are only available through your smartphone. When searching for a hotel room, you can sort offers by price, free cancellation, or reviews.
The mobile app features exclusive offers that you can't find on their website, including double Expedia rewards points for every dollar spent.
