mikel 2,458 #1 Posted July 2, 2017 (edited) Daydreaming and looking at hotels for next month. Recently read a 'travel expert' in a Sunday supplement give the advice that we should always check the hotel site for best deals...hotel overlooking Chao Praya (jacuzzi suite) $423 theough them $234 via agoda. Beware of experts. Edited July 2, 2017 by mikel Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harley_Rider 8 #2 Posted July 2, 2017 I always find it's best to check multiple site for air fares and hotels. One thing I've done in the past is emailed the hotel directly to see if they will give me a lower rate. This works well if you're a regular guest. HR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davvvid 1,440 #3 Posted July 2, 2017 (edited) Daydreaming and looking at hotels for next month. Recently read a 'travel expert' in a Sunday supplement give the advice that we should always check the hotel site for best deals...hotel overlooking Chao Praya (jacuzzi suite) $423 theough them $234 via agoda. Beware of experts. I work in this industry. And technically he is not wrong. By contract if the hotel allows online travel agents (agoda, expedia, booking.com, etc) to sell their rooms, neither party is allowed to reduce the stated price but they are allowed to offer extras such as free wifi, free executive lounge, free upgrade, etc. The way agoda and booking.com attract their customers is by loyalty discounts. If you are a member of either of these online travel agents and use them to book frequently, they will occasionally throw in some sort of discount. This is not breaking the contract at all because the base price of the room is the same, but because your account has been credited some sort of discount, allowing the price to be cheaper than the website. When I book hotels, I very rarely use online travel agents and only use booking.com for price and location references. What I usually do is to email the hotel or give them a call, let them know my travel details and tell them that I will book directly with them if they give me a discount. This works occasionally because the hotel knows that if I book through an online travel agent that the hotel will have to pay 5% to 15% commision to the online travel agent depending on their agreed contract. By asking the hotel to give me a 10% discount or something of the sort, the hotel still makes more money. Ask them to throw in some more benefits like airport transfer, executive lounge, etc, and this is the reason why I always book with the hotel website. Edited July 2, 2017 by davvvid 5 lb_beginner, Geronimo42, Thanks and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boomerang 2,250 #4 Posted July 2, 2017 i pretty much do the same as Davvid these days . Check offers online then email the hotel directly with my requirements . Most times they give me a nice deal , but sometimes a few emails bounced befote final deal struck .. I don't worry about emailing for one or two nights though , just longer stays . 1 Geronimo42 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikel 2,458 #5 Posted July 2, 2017 i pretty much do the same as Davvid these days . Check offers online then email the hotel directly with my requirements . Most times they give me a nice deal , but sometimes a few emails bounced befote final deal struck .. I don't worry about emailing for one or two nights though , just longer stays . Yeah I'm looking at 2 nights so that kind of saving without the hassle is fine. 1 Boomerang reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy_ur_gik 7 #6 Posted July 2, 2017 1+ to looking around then call direct. My best trick at the moment is cashing in Airmiles - seems to be one of the better returns on using Avios miles for now 1 Boomerang reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikel 2,458 #7 Posted July 2, 2017 1+ to looking around then call direct. My best trick at the moment is cashing in Airmiles - seems to be one of the better returns on using Avios miles for now I found that as well. Booked two nights five star and kept cash for fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Josephpot 0 #8 Posted November 5, 2017 Ive stayed in its sister hotel, the Rosita a few times. The Rosita was nice and convenient if you like to be near the clubbing. Its kind of old and traditional inside. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sornierob 588 #9 Posted November 5, 2017 Ive stayed in its sister hotel, the Rosita a few times. The Rosita was nice and convenient if you like to be near the clubbing. Its kind of old and traditional inside. Good post, except not sure which hotel is Rositas sister. You get a pass on your first post. To eliminate confusion, when replying to a post, use the quote button. Cheers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites