Best Hotel Apps for iPhone Hotel Tonight vs Airbnb vs Booking.com ... and 3 more
Edited by Jasmin, Eng, Maria Quinney
Searching for and booking hotels and other rental properties has never been easier, thanks to the multitude of iPhone apps designed for that specific task. Some are best for when you're just starting to plan your next vacation and want to see what kind of prices and accommodations are out there. Some are designed with last minute booking in mind when perhaps an overnight stay was unexpected or you're just feeling spontaneous. Regardless of how you want to book, there's an app to help you do it. Whether you're a planner or a procrastinator the following 6, completely free to download, apps will help you find the perfect place to stay.
Method 1: Hotel Tonight
- 1As the name suggests, Hotel Tonight is the app you need for booking a hotel on short notice.Description.
- 2Pros.
- Searches hotels specifically looking to get their vacant rooms booked. This means you're likely to get a great deal because hotels would rather have their spaces rented for less than be empty.
- Selective in the hotels they choose to partner with; quality is their focus.
- GeoRates are sometimes offered and they are even lower than the already discounted rate.
- Search hotels close to your current location, or by city, and attractions.
- Search hotels by category; luxury, hip, solid, basic, charming, crashpad, and high roller.
- Once you find your hotel you can book in less than 10 seconds, with only 3 clicks.
- Book up to seven days in advance, and a maximum of 5 nights.
- Provides a list of every available hotel's amenities.
- Read ratings and reviews left by fellow travelers.
- Save your favorite hotels to always know when they have vacancies.
- View available rooms by map or list.
- Round the clock customer support.
- Supports Apple Pay.
- Simple, easy to use interface.
- Provides ample, high-quality photos of each hotel and their rooms.
- Regularly updated.
- 3Cons.
- Some users have reported bugs with the app, like freezing during the booking process.
- No refunds.
- Not available in Africa or Asia.
- Can't book multiple rooms at once.
- 4A perfect app for the spontaneous traveler, or when procrastination has gotten the better of you. Booking a last minute hotel doesn't mean you have to settle for the bottom of the barrel rooms, and Hotel Tonight proves that. Download here.Verdict.
Method 2: Airbnb
- 1Want to try something different than the traditional hotel? Look no further than Airbnb. This app has only made it easier to find and book private rooms or entire homes, for a more authentic traveling experience.Description.
- 2Pros.
- Choose from 2.5 million homes, in more than 190 countries.
- Search by city, neighborhood, price, amenities, pet friendliness, and more. The search filters for both homes and experiences is extensive.
- Offers last minute accommodations and long-term rentals.
- View available rooms and homes by list or map.
- Read reviews from previous guests.
- Inbox and messaging help you stay in contact with your host before and during your stay.
- Read recommendations from locals and hosts on where to find the best restaurants, bars, and more.
- Browse and book Experiences, led by local people and businesses.
- Save homes and experiences in list format to help you narrow down options as you plan your trip.
- View a timeline of all your past trips.
- Supports Apple Pay.
- Integration with Wallet app.
- Colorful, sleek, eye-catching design.
- Easy to use interface.
- Frequent updates.
- 3Cons.
- List view often lags.
- Unless you already have an account, setup will take some time.
- 4This app is perfect for someone who wants to stay in a place that makes them feel like a local while on vacation. It's especially handy to have because of the messaging feature, which can connect you with your host anywhere, anytime you have an important question. Download here.Verdict.
Method 3: Booking.com
- 1The app that combines hotel and home reservations.Description.
2
Pros
.
- Over 1 million hotels, apartments, B&B's, and other property types to search from.
- Search by hotel name, city, places nearby, and even landmarks.
- Filter by an extensive list of amenities including, price, WiFi, ratings, and more.
- Sort results by popularity, deals, prices, review scores, and more.
- Read reviews from previous guests and view high-quality photos of available bookings to make your decision process even easier.
- Make changes to your booking at any time.
- 24/7 customer service via phone and email.
- Instant confirmation and paperless booking.
- Unique Travel Guide feature offers a wealth of knowledge on thousands of cities. Browse ticket and tour options, find info on top attractions, and a get in on city secrets (locals' favorite bars, neighborhoods, trails, etc.)
- Book using no account, or sign up and receive members-only deals.
- Bookings don't even require credit card information just use the in-app confirmation once you arrive.
- In-app confirmation is stored locally on your device.
- Offers support for more than 40 languages.
- Map view can help find available bookings in even the most remote locations.
- Integration with Wallet app.
- Easy to use interface.
- Updated regularly.
3
Cons
.
- Design is much less attractive than other hotel apps.
4
Verdict
. Method 4: Jetsetter
- 1The hotel booking app that makes it feel like you're getting insider access. To ensure top quality, the team at Jetsetter has either personally visited or done extensive research on every hotel and vacation home promoted by the app.Description.
- 2Pros.
- Download the app and immediately become a Jetsetter member, benefitting from exclusive deals.
- Search by property collection; royal, posh, and brilliant.
- Listings include last-minute deals.
- Constant access to limited-time sales that offer 40% off.
- View 360-degree, panoramic photos of available bookings.
- Filter by style, stay length, amenities, and more.
- Book multiple rooms at once.
- View bookings by map or list.
- Each property page has a wealth of information. Photos, review scores, and a map, but also a description of the property, interesting details to know about it, and its particular highlights.
- Browse through bookings and create dream lists for future vacations. Share these lists with friends and family.
- Simple, yet eye-catching design.
- 3Cons.
- Bookings must be paid in full upfront and there are no refunds.
- Cancellation or modification of a booking must be done through the property and not in-app.
- 4If you're planning a dream vacation, or you always prefer to travel in style, Jetsetter is the perfect app to help you do so. Download here.Verdict.
Method 5: Hostelworld
- 1The app that connects you with more than 30,000 hostels and B&B's worldwide, so you can find the perfect bed or private room.Description.
- 2Pros.
- Search by travel dates, the number of guests, and city or, in a pinch, use your location to find something nearby.
- View results in map or photo-list view.
- Each property page displays a list of several criteria its been rated on, including security, cleanliness, staff, atmosphere, and more, which contribute to its overall rating.
- Property pages are full of information such as policies, amenities and facilities, a map, a brief history, and more.
- High-quality photos to ensure you know what you're booking.
- Read reviews from 3.5 million previous and current users.
- Extensive list of search filters including price, rating, property and room type (including gender-specific requests, like female only,) and several amenities.
- Sort results based on ratings, distance from current location, or price.
- View properties with partial availability.
- Supports PayPal.
- Round the clock customer support.
- Integration with Wallet app.
- Basic and easy to use interface.
- Clean, eye-popping design.
- 3Cons.
- None. Seriously. It's a great app if this is the kind of travel you're into.
- 4It may not be the fanciest way to sleep while traveling, but it sure is cheap. Hostelworld is great for booking in advance and while on the go. This app would be especially great for backpackers who need constant accommodations and want to book on the fly. The amount of information on each property will help to put even the most cautious traveler at ease. Download here.Verdict.
Method 6: Stayful
- 1Avoid major hotel chains with Stayful, the app that provides bookings for independent, under-the-radar, and boutique hotels.Description.
- 2Pros.
- Search based on your preferred price point; budget, mid-priced, and premium.
- Book up to 30 days in advance.
- Guarantees prices will be 10% cheaper than anywhere else.
- Check in and out from your hotel directly in the app.
- The Concierge feature offers personalized service from booking to checkout. First, let it help you find accommodations. Then, once you've arrived use it to make any necessary changes to your room, order food, ask about nearby sightseeing, etc.
- View your bill in-app.
- Confirm your booking in just 3 taps.
- View results in list or map format.
- Each hotel has specific descriptors such as kid-friendly, chic, hip, pet-friendly, classic, charming, etc.
- Reviews provided by TripAdvisor.
- Every hotel page has a section called, Why You'll Love This Hotel, with key highlights and unique features that set them apart.
- Supports Apple Pay.
- Interface is basic but straightforward.
- 3Cons.
- Some of the hotel photos and the overall design leave a little to be desired.
- Currently only available in Canada and the United States.
- Unlike other hotel apps you can't just browse deals; you have to enter search parameters to see any availabilities.
- 4Perfect for the person who wants the hotel experience, but with more charm and less uniformity than you'd find at any old chain. Download here.Verdict.
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