11. Agoda: Best Website to Book Hotels in Asia
Agoda originally started in Singapore, which means they started out strong as the best website for hotels in Asia and has managed to maintain that reputation ever since (even now, as they’ve grown to offer accommodations, flights, and more worldwide). Agoda is practically a household name in Asia, and is the largest online travel agency in some Asian countries. Whenever I’m traveling in Asia, I always start with Agoda.
Like other hotel booking websites, Agoda also offers accommodations in homes and even hostels. If you desire a pod hotel in Japan or a city apartment in the middle of Bangkok, you’re in luck. There are lots of options!
Agoda also has an excellent secret deal program where the identity of the hotel remains anonymous until your booking is complete. You can see things like the star rating and the neighborhood it’s located in, but not the actual hotel…until after the reservation is made. This is so higher-end chains can sell off their rooms without letting the public know how cheap they’re going for.
Finally, there’s a PointsMAX program that lets you align your Agoda account with your mileage program, including the likes of American Airlines AAdvantage and KLM/AirFrance Flying Blue. I’ve found this to be a rarity amongst hotel booking sites, which is why I consider Agoda one of the best websites out there for finding and reserving hotels.
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Pros
- Specializes in Asia properties
- You can earn rewards with your other loyalty programs, including mileage programs
- Has secret deals you can unlock
Cons
- Insider deals aren’t always the best option—you’ll have to shop around