Where to Book a Stay: 5+ Best Booking Websites That Work

Looking to book your next trip but not sure which platform to use? With so many booking websites out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Some focus on hotels, others on vacation homes, and a few try to offer everything in one place.

To save you time, we’ve hand-picked 5 of the best booking websites, each with its own strengths. Whether you’re planning a quick city break, a family getaway, or a long remote work stay, there’s a platform here that’ll fit the bill.

Let’s dive in!

The Most Popular Booking Websites in 2025

Airbnb

Airbnb has changed the way people book places to stay. Instead of hotels, it focuses on private homes, apartments, and unique spaces. It’s more than just a booking website – it’s about living like a local, even if it’s just for a few nights (check our tutorial on how to launch your own booking website like Airbnb).

Types of Accommodations

Airbnb offers all kinds of spaces. You’ll find private rooms, entire apartments, cozy cabins, tiny houses, and even treehouses. It’s strong in vacation rentals and often includes stays in neighborhoods where hotels aren’t available.

Best For

Airbnb is best for travelers who want something more personal. If you’d rather stay in a lived-in space than a generic hotel room, this is the way to go. It’s a solid pick for couples, families, digital nomads, and anyone who wants to feel more “at home” on the road.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Huge variety of unique stays
• Often more space and amenities than hotels
• Good for longer stays and remote work
• Hosts usually provide local tips and extra touches

Cons:

• Cleaning and service fees can push the price up
• Some listings have strict cancellation rules
• Quality can vary – what you see isn’t always what you get
  

Pricing and Policies

At first glance, Airbnb listings can look budget-friendly, but once cleaning fees and service charges are added, the final price might be higher than expected. It pays to read the fine print. Some hosts offer flexible cancellation, while others don’t – so double-check before you hit “book.”

Booking.com

Booking.com is one of the most well-known travel booking websites in the world. It started as a hotel booking platform but now covers almost every type of travel accommodation. With a massive global inventory and millions of reviews, it’s a reliable option for travelers looking for flexibility and variety.

Types of Accommodations

You can book almost anything on Booking.com. Hotels, hostels, guesthouses, apartments, vacation homes, resorts, and even unique stays like boats or farm stays. The platform is especially strong in urban areas and major tourist spots.

Best For

Booking.com works best for travelers who want a wide range of options and easy comparison. It’s great for both short weekend trips and longer stays. Whether you’re planning a solo city break or booking rooms for a family holiday, it covers most needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Huge selection of properties worldwide
• Real user reviews help with decision-making
• Often includes free cancellation
• No upfront payment required on many listings

Cons:

• Some listings have hidden taxes or cleaning fees shown late in the booking process
• The interface can feel cluttered with filters and upsells

Pricing and Policies

Prices on Booking.com are generally competitive. Many listings offer free cancellation or pay-at-the-property options, which gives users flexibility. However, some listings include additional charges like taxes or service fees that are only shown at the final step, so it’s worth checking the total carefully before booking.

Vrbo

Vrbo (short for Vacation Rentals by Owner) focuses solely on vacation homes. Unlike booking websites that mix hotels and private stays, Vrbo sticks to what it does best – helping people rent full properties for short or long getaways. It’s built with families and groups in mind, making it a go-to for travelers who want space and privacy (check our guide on how to build a vacation rental website on your own).

Types of Accommodations

Vrbo lists entire homes only – no shared spaces or private rooms. You’ll find houses, villas, cabins, condos, and beach properties. It’s especially strong in popular vacation areas like the mountains, the coast, or near major attractions.

Best For

Vrbo is best for families, large groups, or anyone planning a getaway where space and comfort matter. If you’re traveling with kids or need multiple bedrooms, this platform fits the bill. It’s also great for longer vacations when you want that home-away-from-home feel.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Only entire properties – no sharing with strangers
• Great for group travel and family stays
• Clear pricing breakdown before booking
• Many listings offer full kitchens, laundry, and outdoor space

Cons:

• Not ideal for solo travelers or short stays
• Fewer listings in cities compared to other platforms
• Service fees can add up quickly

Pricing and Policies

This booking website tends to show the full cost earlier in the process, which makes it easier to see what you’re actually paying for. Still, cleaning and service fees are common, especially for larger homes. Cancellation policies vary by host, so it’s wise to read the details before making plans – better safe than sorry.

Agoda

Agoda started as a hotel booking website focused on Asia, but it has grown into a global travel site. It’s still strongest in Asian countries, especially for travelers looking for budget stays, flash deals, and last-minute options. If you’re heading east, Agoda is often where the good deals are hiding.

Types of Accommodations

You’ll find hotels, apartments, hostels, villas, and even vacation homes on Agoda. It leans more toward traditional stays, but there are also private properties and boutique options. Agoda Homes is their section for non-hotel stays, similar to Airbnb.

Best For

Agoda is best for travelers exploring Asia or those who are price-sensitive. It works well for solo travelers, couples, or business trips. If you like to compare prices quickly and grab deals on the fly, Agoda makes that easy.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Often cheaper than other platforms in Asia
• Huge range of hotels, from budget to luxury
• Flash deals and discount coupons are common
• Good mobile app with extra discounts

Cons:

• Less reliable outside of Asia
• Interface can be confusing for first-time users
• Not as strong in vacation rentals

Pricing and Policies

Agoda is known for offering low prices, especially on hotels. They often show time-limited deals or mobile-only prices that help you save a few bucks. Some bookings come with free cancellation, but not all – so keep an eye out. The total price usually includes taxes and fees, but it’s smart to double-check before confirming.

Expedia

Expedia is one of the biggest names in online travel. It’s been around for years and covers just about everything – flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, cruises, and more. If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to book the whole trip in one place, Expedia makes it easy to do just that.

Types of Accommodations

Expedia offers a wide range of stays – hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, apartments, and even boutique properties. Their listings are especially strong in cities and popular tourist destinations. You can also bundle stays with flights to save more.

Best For

Expedia is a great booking website for travelers who want to plan everything in one go. It’s a solid option for families, couples, or anyone booking both travel and lodging at once. If you’re looking for convenience over digging around for deals, this is your spot.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Book flights, hotels, and more in one place
• Vacation packages often come with discounts
• Loyalty program (One Key) for earning rewards
• Big inventory of hotels and resorts worldwide

Cons:

• Vacation rentals are not as strong as Airbnb or Vrbo
• Customer support can be hit or miss
• Interface sometimes pushes upsells too hard

Pricing and Policies

Expedia often offers package deals that can cut your costs if you book more than one service together. Hotel prices are usually competitive, and most listings show the full price upfront. Cancellation policies vary, so it’s worth reading the fine print before locking things in.

A Side-by-Side Comparison

If you’re still on the fence about which booking website to go with, here’s a quick breakdown to help you compare them at a glance. Each of these booking websites brings something different to the table – whether it’s price, flexibility, or the type of stay you’re after. Use the table below to figure out which one matches your travel style best.

Website	Best For	Types of Stays	Key Strengths
Airbnb	Unique & local-style stays	Private rooms, full homes, cabins	Personal touch, great for long stays
Booking.com	All types of travelers	Hotels, apartments, vacation homes	Huge variety, flexible cancellation
Vrbo	Families & groups	Entire homes, villas, beach houses	Space, privacy, family-friendly
Agoda	Budget travelers in Asia	Hotels, apartments, boutique stays	Low prices, strong in Asia regions

Wrapping Up

That’s it! We hope this review of the best booking websites was helpful to you and now you have a better idea of the available options. Just keep in mind that each website has its own benefits and drawbacks and everything depends on the type of stay you need, your budged and sometimes even your destination.

Additionally, we recommend checking out our articles on:

• The best booking WordPress plugins
• The most popular booking WordPress themes