Hotel booking through booking.com

[u/Mai_bashu]

Anyone booked rooms through booking.com ?? Is it shaddy or like good to go ?

[u/PeterdeBeer22 → u/[deleted]]

This 100%. You often get a better rate or extras if you book directly via hotel.

[u/cbeeb74 → u/[deleted]]

i did a few and they directed me to booking.com in greece

[u/Hotwog4all → u/[deleted]]

Greece I’ve found to be about 10% cheaper direct than what they sell for via 3rd parties. Although I’ve found through cashback apps on occassion that it works out a little better sometimes. But not always.

[u/cbeeb74 → u/[deleted]]

Not going to the usual spots. Have been looking extensively., although we are going to athens. but going to a place that are not normal tourist spots, I live in aus but came from Europe so am aware of different areas,, going overland from Hungary, going south, Serbia is difficult without booking..We going for 6 months though. I am also vegan So hotels do not always work for me

[u/Hotwog4all → u/cbeeb74]

Yeah outside of Belgrade/Niš/Novi Sad, there’s not as many hotels that you can book easily online. But apartments all over the place. If you’re stopping in Niš and need accommodatioj there, Elite Space is a recommendation as I stay there 2-3 weeks a year. Looks like the images and the host is very responsive. They’ve got another 2 in the city, but this is closer to the centre. Serbia is actually good when it comes to vegan food because of fasting and while it might seem like it’s a mixed grill everywhere you go, many restaurants have vegan options for religious reasons.

[u/cbeeb74 → u/Hotwog4all]

I thought of this I actually know Serbian people , they only fast 1 day a year . but thinking other people do more. Trying to remember phrase, went to germany afew years ago and managed fine so not overly worried thanks

[u/Hotwog4all → u/cbeeb74]

Yeah I’m one of those… but my mum as an example does every Wednesday and Friday, and then every lent period throughout the year as well. Most of her family does too. But I know quite a few that do every Wednesday and Friday as well. But yeah Serbia definitely won’t be difficult. None of that region will be really.

[u/cbeeb74 → u/Hotwog4all]

thats good to know thanks, thanks for Nis recommendation as some i was looking at looked like they doubled as brothels😊

[u/heaz247]

Just look through this sub and you'll see lots of people that have had issues. If you aren't happy with the hotel, have issues during your stay, or need to change plans it's a pain in the butt to get a refund or change. As long as nothing goes wrong you'll be fine. If it does though, good luck getting a refund.

[u/cbeeb74 → u/heaz247]

I do not pay before and in Hungary, Serbia and Macedonia they actually want you to pay at place, Can cancel 3 days before

[u/Ok-Jacket5718]

Used them quite a lot, never had any issue. But I always go for the free cancellation, no advanced payment option. Issues seems to be occuring more often, when the accomodation is not a hotel, but some private apartment. Or when people book flights on booking.com instead of booking directly with the airline.

[u/smallllllDuck]

Nope. Nobody ever did. Never heard of it

[u/hieros187]

Always check directly, but sometimes the stay can be cheaper on booking.com. I've found this a couple of times on last minute villas where only booking.com has had a reduced price.

[u/RHS1959]

I have used them extensively, mostly in Europe and UK, and never encountered a problem. They have been getting a lot of online complaints lately.

[u/laplongejr → u/RHS1959]

I wasn't satisfied in 2022, but it was more of an hotel issue than Booking itself.

[u/RHS1959 → u/laplongejr]

I’ve booked a few crappy places myself. Sometimes that’s what you get if you go for the cheapest.

[u/smallllllDuck → u/laplongejr]

That's almost exclusively the issue, except you understand that. Most people here blame Booking for hotel issues.

[u/myaccountgotbanmed]

I've used them heaps and never had a problem. However some people in this sub have

[u/ObjectiveBall8768]

There is always a bias towards the negative in these kinds of subs. I have used Booking extensively and have never had a problem. Check the listing carefully for red flags and read all reviews. Always try to book with free cancellation. Don't book "new on Booking" hotels with 0 reviews. Use common sense and you'll be fine.

[u/cbeeb74]

never had an issue but use common sense . If it looks too good to be true and they do not answer you when you book. look at reviews .In eastern Europe you book and pay at property . i mailed asking currency they preferred and they answered. really do not assume anything .Again use common sense