The hotel booking sites that cost you more

HOTEL booking websites claim to offer the best prices by comparing a range of deals across the market.

But if you want to bag a real bargain, nothing beats picking up the phone and calling the hotel directly, research suggests.

Eight in ten UK rooms were cheaper or came with extras if a booking was made with the hotel over the phone.

Sites such as Booking.com and Expedia claim to search all deals to provide the cheapest rooms. But consumer group Which? found the commission – typically 15 to 25 per cent – taken by the sites drives up prices. It said the way booking sites operate in the UK is rigged against consumers.

They impose so- called parity clauses, which do not allow hotels to offer cheaper prices through their own sites. However, this does not prevent the hotels offering a lower price if a customer contacts them directly by telephone or email.

Which? found the biggest saving by going direct was 12 per cent – £20 – off the cost listed on Booking.com, as well as a free upgrade. It said: ‘online travel agents are often thought to be the most convenient way to get the best price on a hotel room.

‘However, when we contacted ten hotels, eight were able to offer a better price or other incentives such as free breakfasts.’

Booking.com said: ‘Properties choose whatever prices they want to list.’

Expedia said: ‘our focus is on ensuring that the best rates and availability are presented to consumers.’