Top 6 Hotel Booking Apps: Insights for Building Your Own

Table of Contents:

Booking.com
Airbnb
Expedia
Trivago
Kayak
Plannin
Niche and Specialty Apps Worth Mentioning
How to Build a Successful Hotel Booking App
Build the Best Hotel Booking App with TeaCode

In the era of digital convenience, the way we plan our travels has transformed dramatically. Gone are the days of thumbing through brochures or relying solely on travel agents to find a place to stay. Now, with just a few taps on our smartphone, we can browse thousands of accommodations worldwide. This revolution has not only streamlined the booking process but have also redefined customer expectations, setting a benchmark for service excellence and user experience.

Now there are hundreds of accommodation booking apps available in the App Store and the Play Store. These apps are designed to meet each individual’s specific needs, whether it’s a backpacker looking for a cosy hostel, a family needing a spacious vacation home or a business traveller looking for a comfortable hotel with all the amenities. But among the multitude of options, a few outstanding ones have gained great popularity.

In this article, we will explore the Top accommodation booking apps that have taken over the market, analysing their key features and methods that have helped them become leaders in the industry. Studying the secrets behind the successes of the best accommodation booking apps will provide invaluable lessons and inspiration. Moreover, it is pivotal in shaping your own business, whether you are looking to build a travel app or enhance an existing one. Discover how you can harness these insights to succeed in the competitive travel app environment.

Booking.com

Booking.com is the top hotel booking app in the world right now. It has earned recognition for its extensive database of hotels, providing a user-friendly interface and a seamless booking experience. This platform offers a broad range of options to suit different preferences and budgets.

The app contains 27 million properties with 135 million guest reviews in over 70 countries worldwide. In terms of financial performance, the platform generated $17 billion in 2022, showcasing a remarkable 55% increase year-over-year (post-COVID effect). Moreover, according to Business of Apps, Booking.com reported a substantial booking volume of $121.3 billion for the same year, reflecting the booking of 895 million nights and the purchase of 23 million airline tickets!

Let’s sum up why users love to use Booking.com and what might be annoying in this platform for some of them (their weaknesses are your opportunities).

PROS – Best Practices to Follow:

• Accommodation Diversity: Booking.com stands out for its great list that includes apartments, vacation homes, family-run B&Bs, and more exotic options like ryokans or boats. They offer both very cheap and extremely expensive options. This diversity makes it easier to find the perfect place for a trip, no matter where you’re going or what your preferences are.

• Genius Loyalty Program: The Genius loyalty program offers tiered benefits based on the frequency of bookings. These benefits, such as discounts, free breakfasts, and room upgrades go beyond the typical rewards offered by other platforms. If you travel often, these benefits can add significant value to your bookings over time.

• Cheaper than Competitors: Booking.com typically doesn’t charge users any additional booking fees, and many properties offer free cancellation, making it a cost-effective option. The absence of extra fees can make a significant difference in the overall cost of a user trip.
• Additional items for rent or purchase: using the portal, users can not only book stays but also rent a car, call a cab, book attractions and purchase flight tickets. That makes Booking.com a comprehensive platform that is heading towards users’ needs to have everything they might need to travel in one place (see my article about the future of travelling and travel trends).

CONS – The Room for Improvements:

• Complex Cancellation Policies: Cancellation policies differ from one property to another, which can be confusing. Users might not fully understand the terms, leading to unexpected charges or loss of deposits. Standardisation of cancellation policies can make it easier to understand for users. For example, it could be a summary of key points or a rating system for the flexibility of a property’s policy.
• Pressure to Book: The app uses urgency prompts, like “Only 1 room left” or “10 people are looking right now,” which can pressure users into making hasty decisions. Providing a more relaxed browsing experience could enhance user satisfaction and trust in the platform. However, according to Robert Cialdini’s rules of influence, such activities aim to boost sales.
• Search Everywhere Option: Booking currently lacks a “search everywhere” option, which could disadvantage users who haven’t decided on a specific destination. Adding this feature might enhance user experience by allowing flexibility in destination choices and potentially increasing engagement.

Airbnb

Airbnb has exploded in recent years, becoming a groundbreaking player in the hospitality industry. They achieved that by taking an unconventional approach to the conventional accommodation booking process. They offered an unprecedented opportunity to book directly from property owners themselves and communicate with the host without the portal mediation. By doing this, they’ve brought the flexibility to negotiate the rate and booking terms, which resonated with their target audience perfectly.

Unlike Booking.com, Airbnb presents unique properties that go beyond traditional hotel rooms or apartments, including treehouses, windmills, caves and even castles. What’s more, Airbnb can be more affordable compared to conventional hotels for longer stays or larger groups.

With its broad reach, Airbnb operates in 191 countries, boasting an expansive network of over 4 million hosts worldwide and an impressive selection of over 6 million active listings on its platform (Airbnb statistics).

Let’s have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of the Airbnb app compared to its competitors.

PROS – Best Practices to Follow:

• Unique Accommodations: Users have access to a wide variety of unique and personal accommodations that aren’t typically available on traditional hotel booking sites (from cosy cabins to lofty treehouses, even converted planes or whimsical gingerbread houses straight out of a fairytale). These options are more affordable than specialised design hotels, allowing travellers to enjoy distinctive experiences without breaking the bank.
• Wide Geographic Coverage: Airbnb operates in thousands of cities worldwide, often providing accommodations in areas where traditional hotels are scarce or overly expensive.
• Authentic Local Experiences: Airbnb connects travellers with local hosts who offer tours, classes, workshops, and more. This can enrich users’ travel experience by providing insights into local culture, cuisine, and activities that might not be discovered through conventional travel methods.

CONS – The Room for Improvements:

• Security Concerns: There have been instances of safety and security concerns with some Airbnb rentals, including hidden cameras and scams. These are rare, but they highlight the need for due diligence. Implementing more rigorous safety checks on hosts and properties, such as mandatory safety feature listings (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, first aid kits) and regular safety compliance checks, could enhance guest safety. Additionally, Airbnb could offer more robust support and resources for guests who encounter safety issues during their stay.
• Additional Fees: Many Airbnb listings come with additional fees, including cleaning fees, service fees, and sometimes even extra charges for additional guests, which can significantly increase the total cost. Airbnb could make the total cost of stays more transparent by displaying fees together with the total price upfront. This would help prevent sticker shock at checkout and make price comparison easier for users.
• Search Everywhere Feature: Airbnb also lacks a “search everywhere” option, which could limit users who are undecided on their destination. Introducing this feature would enhance flexibility for users, allowing them to possibly improve overall user satisfaction, aligning with similar enhancements made by other platforms.

Expedia

Expedia stands out as a comprehensive travel platform, not only facilitating hotel reservations but also providing options for flights, car rentals, vacation packages and even cruises. It also offers exclusive discounts and deals to save money on travel.

Expedia’s broad spectrum of travel-related services and user-friendly interface (characterised by clear categorisation, simplicity, step-by-step guidance, and tailored recommendations) make it an excellent option for travellers.

The platform’s influence is evidenced by the substantial number of users it attracts. In 2022 alone, Expedia served 48 million people. Furthermore, Expedia has shown a remarkable financial recovery after the lockdown in 2020, doubling its results in 2022 with annual revenue of $11.6 billion (Business of Apps).

So, what are the pros and cons that Expedia brings to the table to attract users?

PROS – Best Practices to Follow:

• One-Stop Travel Solution: The app provides a broad list of travel services all in one place. This comprehensive offering allows travellers to book and manage nearly every aspect of their trip through a single platform, simplifying the planning process.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Users can get round-the-clock customer support, assisting with bookings, changes, and any issues that may arise.
• Mobile-Exclusive Offers: Expedia rewards app users with exclusive mobile-only discounts, including special offers for hotels and flights that are only available when booking through the app.

CONS – The Room for Improvements:

• Not Always the Best Deals: Despite often offering good deals, Expedia doesn’t always have the lowest price for every travel component, especially when airlines or hotels offer exclusive promotions. There could be a difference between the price shown on the app and the final price at checkout. Additionally, users might find a lower price on another platform after making a booking, despite Expedia’s price match guarantee (this allows travellers to claim a refund for the difference if they find a cheaper rate for the same hotel room on another website).
• Booking and Reservation Errors: Users occasionally report problems with bookings not being processed correctly through the app, leading to issues with hotel reservations, flight bookings, or car rentals. They complained that those services were not confirmed or recognised by the service provider.

Trivago

According to Similarweb, Trivago is among the most trusted hotel booking apps in 2023 with 5 million monthly visits and 100 million downloads. Trivago combines hotel prices from various booking sites like Hotels.com, AlphaRooms, LateRooms, Expedia, and HotelTonight, allowing users to access dozens of suitable options at a great price within minutes. With 333,000 reviews, the app can provide a reliable evaluation and verification of hotels’ quality.

Its strength lies in the depth and presentation of its hotel comparison capabilities, particularly for users whose primary concern is finding the best deal on accommodations. Trivago focuses on offering traditional types of accommodation with extensive filters for amenities, ratings, and price comparisons.

Let’s summarise what you should learn from Trivago’s success and what mistakes you should avoid.

PROS – Best Practices to Follow:

• Comprehensive Price Comparison: Trivago’s focus on comparing prices across a wide range of booking sites makes it a powerful tool for users looking to get the best deal on accommodations. It maintains a level of independence in its listings and reviews so it can provide a broader, unbiased view of hotel options, as opposed to platforms that prioritise their own inventory or partnerships.
• Efficient Multi-Device Experience: For users who switch between devices during their search and booking process, Trivago offers seamless synchronisation across platforms. You can start a search on a smartphone, continue on a tablet, and finalise on a laptop without losing any of the search progress or selected preferences.
• User-Centric Search and Filter Tools: Trivago provides advanced search functionalities and filter options, allowing users to narrow down their choices based on specific criteria. This level of granularity in search helps users tailor their findings to match their preferences and needs perfectly. For example, users can search for hotels near landmarks and attractions.

CONS – The Room for Improvements:

• Ads and Sponsored Content: Trivago’s listings include sponsored content, which can influence the visibility of hotels and might not always align with the user’s best interests.
• Booking Outside the Portal: While this can be a pro, it also means users have to complete their booking through another site, adding an extra step to the reservation process. The other issue is that the quality of the booking experience (and the service’s trustworthiness) ultimately depends on the third-party site selected for the reservation, which can vary widely (based on Google Play & Apple Store ratings and reviews on Trivago).

Kayak

Kayak is the leading all-in-one travel planning app that allows you to book flights, hotels, and rental cars all in the same place. It stands out for its comprehensive search features, allowing users to compare prices across multiple booking sites quickly. Kayak also offers a variety of helpful tools to consolidate travel plans in one place, which is particularly useful for users booking through multiple platforms.

Kayak sets itself apart with features like the price forecast tool for flights, which leverages data analytics to help users make informed decisions about booking times.

Kayak’s mobile app is currently available in about 20 languages and 30 countries, with the company’s 2022 revenue of $0.12 B, up from 2021 revenue of $0.11 B.

Below, you’ll find some pros and cons of the Kayak app that may be useful for your app development.

PROS – Best Practices to Follow:

• Innovative Tools: Kayak offers unique features like the price forecast for flights or accommodations, which predicts whether prices will rise or fall, helping users decide the best time to book. Another one is the explore feature, which allows you to find the best destinations within a specific budget and with flexible dates.
• Comprehensive Search Capabilities: Kayak can aggregate a vast amount of data from multiple sources, offering a broad view of options and prices that might not be visible on other platforms.
• Detailed Filters: Kayak provides extensive filtering options across flights, hotels, and car rentals, including stopovers, flight times, hotel amenities, and rental car specifications.

CONS – The Room for Improvements:

• Customer Service Limitations: Since Kayak redirects users to third-party sites for booking, resolving issues directly through Kayak can be limited. Establishing better coordination with partner sites can help with the resolution of customer service issues.
• Security Concerns: Since Kayak redirects users to third-party websites for booking, it cannot guarantee the security of the purchase process. Sharing personal and payment information across multiple platforms increases the risk of data breaches and privacy concerns. Users need to trust each third-party site with their sensitive information (based on Google Play & Apple Store ratings and reviews on Kayak).

Plannin

Plannin is a brand-new and innovative platform that combines influencer-generated content with travel planning. It leverages the trustworthiness and reliability of video creators, allowing users to virtually experience their journey even before they set out on it.

Not only does Plannin cater to creators looking to earn long-term commissions based on their content, but also provides users with dependable reviews of destinations they plan to visit. Thus, it perfectly meets the needs of two main target groups.

Although the app has been available on the market since 2024, it is already making profits and attracting new customers. Currently, Plannin boasts an impressive 70% month-to-month revenue growth rate and a 30% month-to-month booking growth rate. Its intuitive and stunning design, fuelled by creators’ authority, results in an astonishing 38% of new customers choosing to book their trips through Plannin.

PROS – Best Practices to Follow:

• Dynamic, Trustworthy, and Sincere Creator-Generated Content: Plannin features content created by professionals, ensuring users have a clear understanding of their bookings and can avoid any unpleasant surprises upon arrival.
• Reliability of Services: Plannin is funded by the CEO of Booking.com,
a former Priceline executive (TechCrunch). This backing makes the platform both groundbreaking and trustworthy.
• Expanding Service Offerings: Plannin is actively working on expanding its platform to include experience booking, broadening its range of services.
• Unique Approach to Monetisation: By booking trips through Plannin, users can support their favourite creators at no additional cost, offering a unique and rewarding experience.

CONS – The Room for Improvements:

• Growth Phase: The platform is still growing, and it will take some time to launch additional functionalities that people are currently waiting for.

Niche and Specialty Apps Worth Mentioning

Some companies have found interesting ways to differentiate their product in a crowded marketplace. They developed innovative ideas and created apps with unique services, occupying a narrower niche in the market. These apps stand out not solely for their features, but for their specific target audiences and creative concepts. Understanding these successful examples can help you to identify opportunities to innovate and carve out your own niche in the industry.

Hostelworld, specialising in hostels, and Aloha Camp, focusing on glamorous camping options, serve specific niches within the accommodation sector, catering to travellers with unique preferences.

Apps like HotelTonight specialise in last-minute bookings, offering discounted rates for travellers seeking spontaneous accommodation options on short notice. This is a perfect solution to attract budget-conscious travellers and those who prefer not to plan their trips in advance.

Other travellers only need a basic room to sleep in without any extravagant luxuries. For such travellers, hotel booking apps offer low-cost deals. OYO and RedDoorz cater to budget travellers, offering affordable accommodation options without compromising on basic amenities.

Dayuse.com caters to the needs of travellers who require ultra-short stays. It allows users to book a room for a day only and is particularly useful for those who like to explore during the day and travel at night. The app provides travellers with a place to relax, cool off, and get started on their next adventure (especially valuable when the summer is at its peak).

Some apps used a free-of-charge stay as an idea for their service. Couchsurfing is a travel app that connects travellers with local hosts who offer free stays for their next trip. The app is based on the principles of goodwill and friendship (though to get more free connections with locals, you’d need to pay), and it has over 20 million users in more than 230,000 cities across the world.

I hope you got inspired, and remember: by thinking creatively and focusing on unique solutions, you will find your unique niche in the market.

How to Build a Successful Hotel Booking App

Creating a successful hotel booking app requires more than just a good idea; it requires understanding what makes the top apps in the market so effective. Here are key lessons to learn from these industry leaders:

Prioritise User Experience

Lesson from Booking.com: A user-friendly interface with extensive filters and real-time updates can significantly enhance the booking experience. Ensure your app is intuitive and allows users to easily find what they need.

Offer Unique and Personalised Options

Lesson from Airbnb: Providing unique accommodations and personalised experiences can set your app apart. Integrate features that allow users to find stays that match their preferences, including local experiences and host interactions.

Understand Your Target Audience

Lesson from Niche Apps: Deeply understand the specific needs of your target audience, such as eco-conscious travellers or luxury seekers to develop features that cater specifically to your chosen market.

Provide Comprehensive Travel Solutions

Lesson from Expedia: By offering bundled travel services (hotels, flights, cruises, car rentals, activities), you can increase user convenience and encourage more bookings through your app. Consider partnerships that allow you to offer these comprehensive packages.

Enable Efficient Price Comparisons

Lesson from Kayak: Implement robust search and comparison tools to help users find the best deals. Features like fare alerts and flexible search parameters can make your app the go-to for cost-conscious travellers.

Differentiate with Unique Offerings

Lesson from Trivago and Niche Apps: Niche apps often stand out by offering something unique that mainstream apps do not. This could be specialised accommodations, exclusive experiences, or tailored services; an area that addresses a specific need or solves a particular problem better than anyone else.

Focus on Community

A lesson learned from Plannin, a brand new and revolutionary booking platform we’ve built: Build strong community engagement through user-generated content, influencers and interactions. Foster a sense of community and use AI to personalise recommendations based on user behaviour.

Leverage Technology and Data

A lesson learnt from Plannin: Use artificial intelligence to offer personalised recommendations and improve user experience. Data analytics can help you understand user behaviour and tailor your offerings accordingly.

Build Strategic Partnerships

A lesson learnt from Plannin, Booking.com and Expedia: Partner with other travel service providers to offer bundled deals and additional services. This adds value to your app and increases customer loyalty.

If you want to learn more tips on how to develop an accommodation booking app, I highly recommend you to have a look at Urszula’s article or contact us directly!

Build the Best Hotel Booking App with TeaCode

Drawing such inspiration from successful hotel booking apps offers a strategic advantage in building or improving your own. By analysing these market leaders, you can integrate proven features and strategies into your app. This approach ensures you meet user expectations and avoid common pitfalls, accelerating your development process and making your app competitive from the outset.

Furthermore, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of existing apps allows you to identify market gaps and opportunities for innovation. This knowledge helps you enhance features, introduce new technologies, and target underserved niches, differentiating your app from competitors. Ultimately, by learning from the best, you are empowered to create a groundbreaking hotel booking app that not only stands out in the marketplace but also sets new standards for excellence and user satisfaction.

The future of travel booking apps is in your hands – take the insights from today’s successes and build tomorrow’s indispensable travel companion. Remember, our TeaCode development team is here to help you succeed! Don’t hesitate to consult your idea with us!