Booking.com

Booking.com is an online travel agency with a large hotel and accommodation catalogue, listing chain hotels, independent properties, apartments, guesthouses and holiday homes in many countries. For hotel shoppers, its main draws are the ability to filter by review score, location, amenities and cancellation policy, and the fact that many rates can be booked without upfront payment or with free cancellation, depending on the property. The Genius loyalty programme offers discounts and perks at participating properties once travellers reach booking thresholds. Because Booking.com acts as an intermediary, room rates, taxes, deposit rules and cancellation terms are set by each property, so the final price and conditions should be checked carefully before confirming. It is also worth comparing the same room on the hotel's own website, where direct-booking rates or loyalty points may sometimes be available.