The Pinoy Guide to Japan Travel: Booking Sites
Ok, this was a long time coming, but now that we've tackled flights, let's talk accommodations.
But before all that, make sure to read my previous post on choosing hotels. Done it? Great!
With the presence of the internet, booking places to stay has never been easier. There is a wealth of sites dedicated to the hospitality industry, with photos and reviews. Travelers now have better knowledge of different properties, and thus, better control over their decision-making. Plus, it doesn't hurt that because of all the competition, some websites offer special deals and discounts! Here are my favorite ones to visit when I'm looking for places to stay, whether it be in Japan or other countries.
Agoda, with its multicolored circles and plain white theme, offers 600,000+ properties, and a rewards program that gives you points for every booking and review. These points can then be redeemed as discounts in increments of $25. Naturally, the more rewards you have, the bigger the discount. Eventually gaining Elite status opens up a better redemption table for points. Do note that the points expire--I think this is how Agoda ensures customer loyalty.
In addition to the rewards program, Agoda also offers Insider Deals, which promise to be lower than other sites, and Secret Deals, where they don't divulge the name and photos of the property, just pricing and location. They also have Free Cancellations* on certain places and a Book Now, Pay Later program for the convenience of indecisive individuals (such as myself). The latter features aid you in getting the best rates while giving you time to change your mind or opt out in sudden emergencies, which is always helpful.
Recommended for: Points rewards program. Book Now, Pay Later feature. Insider and Secret Deals. Free Cancellation. Has a mobile app.
Booking.com doesn't have a rewards program like the other sites, although it's unique in that there's no upfront payment through the site itself, and you only pay at the property when you check-in. Despite that, your reservation still keeps its features, such as the price point when you booked, and Free Cancellation*, which Booking.com even highlights in its splash page. You'll still need to input credit card details, but it's mostly for confirmation purposes (and maybe so they can charge you just in case you decide not to show up for your reservation.)
Recommended for: No upfront payment. Discounted rates. Free Cancellation. They also give you a mini-travel guide for the area you're staying in. Mobile App.
Hotels.com was not in my radar until a friend of ours raved about its loyalty program, which gives you one free night on ANY property after booking 10 nights using the site. Its prices can be slightly higher than Agoda's and it doesn't offer quite the same number of properties that Agoda does (at least, in my experience), although maybe that depends on the timing. I do appreciate that their rooms' tables reflect not just the number of adults, but also the number of children that can be accommodated in a space at no extra cost--very helpful for families!
Recommended for: Loyalty program. Also offers Free Cancellation*.
Take note: This site charges you upfront for the stay, whether the property is listed as Free Cancellation or not. They seem prompt about returning payments to your credit card, though, but it's something to consider.
Tripadvisor is more popular as a very in-depth review site with a comprehensive database of worldwide hotel listings. So why the inclusion into this list? I've recently discovered that they also serve as a satisfactory price aggregator, showing you the best deals of all the different booking sites online. This means that you don't have to have all those pages I've listed above open in different tabs. You can just enter your dates in Tripadvisor and let it do the web comparisons for you.
And then we have...
Airbnb is a new concept that offers short-term property rentals, meaning, you get to stay in people's extra living spaces, from a spare room in their apartment to maybe a vacation cabin somewhere in the mountains. Because other people actually own these spots, it'll be like you're they're personal guest so there should be a certain code of conduct involved. The Golden Rule would be a good place to start: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
In Japan, the people are already naturally hospitable and will try to accommodate their tenants within reason when able. So please be nice back. Don't be so demanding (after all, it's not a hotel). Try not to destroy anything. And just basically, when you leave, make sure the place is pretty much as it was when you arrived.
---Please don't be like these people.---
Airbnb has its challenges and downsides, and they try to cover potential issues in their policies. But if you're a good tourist matched with a good host, then there shouldn't be a problem and you can come out of your vacation with glowing reviews of each other. Yes, your host will also review your stay and how you were as a "Guest", and this will be factored in by other hosts who will potentially take you in the future.
I recommend Airbnb for groups, mostly, although singles or couples can also take advantage of the cheaper rates. Take note that Airbnb charges a Service Fee and some hosts charge a Cleaning Fee.
---
Overall Recommendation: If you're a frequent traveler, register for all the sites you visit and refer to the most and subscribe to take advantage of any special deals they have. Just don't forget your passwords! Have fun!
*Free Cancellation is not available on all properties. Make sure you read all the details before you book, including hotel policies and information on extra taxes and charges! I'm guilty of selective reading and I paid for it, so learn from my mistake and don't be like me!
Also see: The Pinoy Guide to Japan Travel: Flights!
But before all that, make sure to read my previous post on choosing hotels. Done it? Great!
With the presence of the internet, booking places to stay has never been easier. There is a wealth of sites dedicated to the hospitality industry, with photos and reviews. Travelers now have better knowledge of different properties, and thus, better control over their decision-making. Plus, it doesn't hurt that because of all the competition, some websites offer special deals and discounts! Here are my favorite ones to visit when I'm looking for places to stay, whether it be in Japan or other countries.
Agoda, with its multicolored circles and plain white theme, offers 600,000+ properties, and a rewards program that gives you points for every booking and review. These points can then be redeemed as discounts in increments of $25. Naturally, the more rewards you have, the bigger the discount. Eventually gaining Elite status opens up a better redemption table for points. Do note that the points expire--I think this is how Agoda ensures customer loyalty.
 |
| Agoda Secret Deals will only give you a general description, location, and rates. |
In addition to the rewards program, Agoda also offers Insider Deals, which promise to be lower than other sites, and Secret Deals, where they don't divulge the name and photos of the property, just pricing and location. They also have Free Cancellations* on certain places and a Book Now, Pay Later program for the convenience of indecisive individuals (such as myself). The latter features aid you in getting the best rates while giving you time to change your mind or opt out in sudden emergencies, which is always helpful.
Recommended for: Points rewards program. Book Now, Pay Later feature. Insider and Secret Deals. Free Cancellation. Has a mobile app.
Booking.com doesn't have a rewards program like the other sites, although it's unique in that there's no upfront payment through the site itself, and you only pay at the property when you check-in. Despite that, your reservation still keeps its features, such as the price point when you booked, and Free Cancellation*, which Booking.com even highlights in its splash page. You'll still need to input credit card details, but it's mostly for confirmation purposes (and maybe so they can charge you just in case you decide not to show up for your reservation.)
Recommended for: No upfront payment. Discounted rates. Free Cancellation. They also give you a mini-travel guide for the area you're staying in. Mobile App.
Hotels.com was not in my radar until a friend of ours raved about its loyalty program, which gives you one free night on ANY property after booking 10 nights using the site. Its prices can be slightly higher than Agoda's and it doesn't offer quite the same number of properties that Agoda does (at least, in my experience), although maybe that depends on the timing. I do appreciate that their rooms' tables reflect not just the number of adults, but also the number of children that can be accommodated in a space at no extra cost--very helpful for families!
Recommended for: Loyalty program. Also offers Free Cancellation*.
Take note: This site charges you upfront for the stay, whether the property is listed as Free Cancellation or not. They seem prompt about returning payments to your credit card, though, but it's something to consider.
Tripadvisor is more popular as a very in-depth review site with a comprehensive database of worldwide hotel listings. So why the inclusion into this list? I've recently discovered that they also serve as a satisfactory price aggregator, showing you the best deals of all the different booking sites online. This means that you don't have to have all those pages I've listed above open in different tabs. You can just enter your dates in Tripadvisor and let it do the web comparisons for you.
 |
| Tripadvisor searches and compares, and you can just take your pick after! |
Airbnb is a new concept that offers short-term property rentals, meaning, you get to stay in people's extra living spaces, from a spare room in their apartment to maybe a vacation cabin somewhere in the mountains. Because other people actually own these spots, it'll be like you're they're personal guest so there should be a certain code of conduct involved. The Golden Rule would be a good place to start: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
In Japan, the people are already naturally hospitable and will try to accommodate their tenants within reason when able. So please be nice back. Don't be so demanding (after all, it's not a hotel). Try not to destroy anything. And just basically, when you leave, make sure the place is pretty much as it was when you arrived.
---Please don't be like these people.---
Airbnb has its challenges and downsides, and they try to cover potential issues in their policies. But if you're a good tourist matched with a good host, then there shouldn't be a problem and you can come out of your vacation with glowing reviews of each other. Yes, your host will also review your stay and how you were as a "Guest", and this will be factored in by other hosts who will potentially take you in the future.
I recommend Airbnb for groups, mostly, although singles or couples can also take advantage of the cheaper rates. Take note that Airbnb charges a Service Fee and some hosts charge a Cleaning Fee.
---
Overall Recommendation: If you're a frequent traveler, register for all the sites you visit and refer to the most and subscribe to take advantage of any special deals they have. Just don't forget your passwords! Have fun!
*Free Cancellation is not available on all properties. Make sure you read all the details before you book, including hotel policies and information on extra taxes and charges! I'm guilty of selective reading and I paid for it, so learn from my mistake and don't be like me!
Also see: The Pinoy Guide to Japan Travel: Flights!
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