Travel · Stays

Hotels and vacation rentals: where to book, pros and cons

Most trips start with the bed. You can book a hotel directly, through an online travel agency, or rent a home or apartment from a vacation-rental platform. Each route has a different price structure and a different set of rules when plans change.

Your options compared

Book direct with the hotel

Hotel websites and apps (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and independents)

Loyalty points and elite benefits usually only count on direct bookings
Easier to change or fix problems with the property itself
Member rates are often at or below other sites

You compare one brand at a time
Lowest prepaid rates are usually non-refundable

Online travel agencies

Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline, Agoda

Compare many hotels, dates and prices at once
Many free-cancellation rates and bundles with flights or cars
Their own loyalty programs and discounts

When something goes wrong you may deal with the agency, not the hotel
Hotel loyalty benefits often do not apply

Vacation rentals

Airbnb, Vrbo

Whole homes, kitchens and space for families or groups
Often better value per person for longer stays
Neighborhoods outside hotel districts

Cleaning and service fees can change the real nightly price
Cancellation rules are set by each host and vary widely
Local rules on short-term rentals differ by city

Price-comparison search

Google Hotels, Kayak, Trivago

See prices across many sites in one search
Good for spotting the cheapest seller

You still book on another site, under that site's rules
Displayed prices may exclude taxes or resort fees until checkout

Before you pay, check:

Compare the total price with taxes and fees, not the nightly rate
Look for resort, destination, cleaning or parking fees
Read the cancellation deadline and whether the rate is prepaid
Check the exact location on a map, not just the neighborhood name
Read recent reviews, especially the newest 30 to 60 days

Compare the other parts of your trip: Flights · Car rentals · Excursions & tours · Travel news

The Company Chronicle does not earn a commission from the companies named on this page. Prices, fees and policies change often; always confirm the final total and the rules on the booking page before you pay.