Hotel Booking agent

[bluejets]

Coming over next month and wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Agoda hotel booking. Seems they offer rates far lower than the hotel themselves. eg One hotel in Pratunam Bangkok shows normal price at 3,332Thb but through Agoda it is 1,444Thb. I even rang the hotel and the office there said " Yeah, much cheaper through Agoda, don't book at hotel, too expensive."

[Charlieb]

I have used Agoda several times and never had a complaint. They do seem to be able to get lower rates

[jackspratt]

I have used Agoda, and was satisfied with their prices and service.

I had to cancel after 1 booking, and received a prompt refund (less the cancellation fee of course).

[Galee]

I use Sawadee.com. Never had a problem, find they offer a wide range of hotels at reasonable prices.

For smaller hotels in remoter parts of Thailand, this site is quite good.
http://www.hotelsguidethailand.com/home/home.php?&l=en

[JimboPSM]

By coincidence I have just been looking at the Agoda site in another window for a trip I’m planning when I return to Thailand shortly.

When booking hotels in Thailand I always do a comparison over a number of hotel agencies as I have not yet found any agency that is consistently the lowest.

Initially the rate at the hotel I was looking at looked better on Agoda than on the other agency sites - then I went to the booking page and suddenly 20% had been added to the rate for "tax/service charge per night”.

This service charge changed Agoda from being nearly 100 THB cheaper per night to being nearly 300 THB more expensive per night than its competitors - as I'm booking two rooms for a couple of weeks the extra with Agoda would have been 8,400 THB.

it should come as no surprise therefore that, on this occasion, I will not be using Agoda.

The best rates I have achieved in the past have been with:

• 1. asiatravel.com
  
  2. sawadee.com
  
  3. latestays.com

Additionally there are early booking discounts (that can produce a better rate than the agencies) available with some hotel groups, such as the Compass group who I frequently use in Bangkok, but only if you book with them on their own site.

[jorg]

I used Agoda only 1 time, but they offered me a good rate and everything worked out okay. The best thing was that i booked a room with them that was not available, and the hotel gave me a free upgrade to a better room.

[bluejets]

OK....Thanks for all the above.
Jimbo, yes I was aware that sometimes there is a hidden charge to watch for, even so, with the one I qouted, it is still around half of that quoted online at the hotel which is quite a bit. Just makes one a bit suspicious ........still, if it has been ok then I guess just give it a try and see.

[GEC]

I have just booked a room through Agoda, staying at the 'The Grand Pinacle' near the airport in Bangkok on the recomendation of WBU Alum on another thread (Central Thailand).

The price quoted was £13 for the room incl. breakfast with tansfer from the airport too. Although when I did the booking another £3 was added...no big deal really as still very cheap.

I beleive the price of the room, had I booked without going through Agoda, would have been approx £10 more.

See you soon

Glen

[scouseboy]

I have also used sawadee.com with no problems, also remember many hotels in Thailand will "negotiate" a price if you just turn up at reception in which case it is best to book somewhere for your first night and then take a wander between other hotels the next day.

[thewatchman]

I always use www.latestays.com You can only book a couple of weeks in advance but the savings are very good,
i stayed in the ramada phuket with the t/g last august for 900bht a night, normal price on ramada`s w/site was
3000bth p/night!!!

[thrilled]

I believe A lot of those websites are quite good.I've used about 4 of them and haven't had any problems with any of them.I just take the paper to the hotel,they check my passport and take me to the room.

[LoongLee]

gents,, I'm not a computer expert so take that into consideration with the following input.

I have been told before that whenever shopping prices at hotels, airlines, etc. to always erase/delete cookies on your system. The price quoted on the original query will never be lower on followup queries because of the cookie associated with your computers IP address. I do not know if this is true but I delete cookies religiously. hope this helps someone....LL

[747man]

I ALWAYS use http://www.bangkokian.com Have used them over 10 years now,& As I DON'T have a Credit Card,They will accept Bank transfer, EVEN AFTER I 've checked into hotel,But maybe this is only because they know ME & I Will Definately NOT do a runner....Have even stayed 3 Nights in Bangkok & Paid AFTER I have arrived "Home "in Nong Khai....Run by a VERY Friendly Husband & Wife ( Both Thai ) Couple....Khun Wannipa & Khun Pitanu ( The Husband ) The ONLY Gaurantees they ask for are an e-mail confirmation from you & Perhaps YOUR Mobile /House phone number.....

[Stantheman]

747man, any specific hotel used from the referenced site?

[BlueDragon]

I also used both agents for my hotel booking in Thailand.

http://www.thaihoteldiscounts.com/

http://www.otelrooms.com/

[Paul]

Asiatravel allows you to pay in cash to the hotel in some instances, whereas in others you have to pay when booking online (by card).
This can have a significant impact on the final price you pay after adding credit card fees and transaction fees for exchange - especially when your card is registered to an overseas bank (Your home country).

Each hotel's method of payment requirements (through the Asiatravel site) is clearly indicated though for each hotel you inquire about online' (Pay at Hotel or pay in advance(online with card))

Another good site is asiarooms

Used both several times.

[747man]

747man, any specific hotel used from the referenced site?

Stan, I have used MANY of their advertised hotels,A Couple I remember fondly where The Radisson we stayed for 10 Days and got upgrade to A Suite about 5 years ago and it was ONLY 1100 Baht at THAT time,And just last November 2009 The Chaophyra Park on Ratchapidesek,got upgraded to a De-Luxe room for 1700 baht,ALL their hotels include FULL Buffet Breakfast for 2 people....Give Them a Try !!!

[747man]

Asiatravel allows you to pay in cash to the hotel in some instances, whereas in others you have to pay when booking online (by card).
This can have a significant impact on the final price you pay after adding credit card fees and transaction fees for exchange - especially when your card is registered to an overseas bank (Your home country).

Each hotel's method of payment requirements (through the Asiatravel site) is clearly indicated though for each hotel you inquire about online' (Pay at Hotel or pay in advance(online with card))

Another good site is asiarooms

Used both several times.

I Have heard tales of Asiarooms PROMISING rooms that are NOT Available....Ummm !!...........But I have also used Asiatravel a couple of times over the years....with NO Complaints..

[bluejets]

As a follow-up to my original query, I would just like to say that all worked fine with Agoda and had a great time in Thailand.
Back at work now in Aus and looking forward to next trip.

Thanks for replies and hope to catch up again next time with some of the new friends I made while there.