Booking.com
by Booking Holdings Inc. · Travel & Navigation · Booking & Accommodation
Search and book hotels, apartments, hostels, and more at the best prices with free cancellation on most properties.
Quick Answer: Booking.com has a verified Real Score of 4/5 based on 105,750 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.7/5. Highly recommended by verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 105,750 verified reviews
Gap Alert: Booking.com's App Store rating is 0.7 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Huge selection of accommodations
- Free cancellation on most bookings
- Genius loyalty program discounts
- No booking fees
Common Complaints
- Some prices higher than booking direct
- Urgency tactics feel manipulative
- Customer service varies
- App notifications are aggressive
Verified Reviews (20)
Free cancellation is a lifesaver
The ability to book with free cancellation and then cancel if plans change is invaluable. Ive rebooked at lower prices and cancelled the original booking multiple times.
Genius level 3 is worth it
The Genius loyalty program gives real discounts. At level 3 Im getting 15-20% off, free breakfasts, and room upgrades. Makes booking through the app always worthwhile.
Stop with the urgency tactics
"3 people looking at this right now" and "Only 1 room left!" are designed to pressure you. Often if you wait the price drops or more rooms appear. Dont fall for it.
Best hotel booking app overall
Tried them all and Booking.com consistently has the widest selection, best prices, and most flexible policies. The app is smooth and the reviews are trustworthy.
Map view is the best way to search
The map-based search showing prices on the map is the best way to find accommodation in the right area at the right price. Visual search beats text filtering.
Sometimes cheaper to book direct
Ive found that many hotels offer lower prices on their own websites. Booking.com isnt always the cheapest. Worth checking the hotel directly before confirming.
Reviews with scores by category
The detailed review scores for cleanliness, location, staff, etc. help you understand exactly where a property excels or falls short. More useful than a single overall score.
Apartment bookings are great
Not just hotels - the apartment listings compete well with Airbnb and often have better cancellation policies. Good alternative for self-catering accommodation.
Customer service resolved my issue
Hotel had a serious issue and Booking.com customer service stepped in, got me relocated to a better hotel at no extra cost. They handled it professionally and quickly.
Too many notification popups
The app bombards you with notifications, popups, and deals. Even after adjusting settings. Its a great booking engine wrapped in an aggressive marketing platform.
Price alerts work well
Set price alerts for your destination and dates. Got notified when prices dropped significantly and saved 30% by booking on the right day. Patient bookers win.
Reliable for international travel
Used Booking.com across 15 countries and never had a booking issue. The reliability of confirmed reservations gives peace of mind for international travel.
Travel Sustainable badge is helpful
The sustainability certification helps find eco-friendly accommodations. As someone who cares about environmental impact, this filtering option is valuable.
Photos dont always reflect reality
Some properties use old or heavily edited photos. The guest review photos are more trustworthy. Always scroll to the review photos before booking.
Mobile-only deals are real
The app-exclusive deals are genuinely cheaper than the website. Make sure to check prices on the app before booking on desktop. Consistent 10-15% savings.
Taxi booking integration
The integrated airport taxi booking is convenient. Set it up when you book your hotel and your transfer is arranged. One less thing to worry about.
Reward system is confusing
The wallet credits and Genius levels and rewards... its hard to track what youve earned and how to redeem it. The loyalty program needs simplification.
Trip planner feature is useful
The built-in trip planner that organizes all your bookings by date with addresses and check-in times is a great organizational tool. All trip details in one place.
Good for last-minute deals
Last-minute hotel deals on the app are often genuinely discounted. Hotels would rather sell at a discount than have empty rooms. Great for flexible travelers.
Tried and true platform
Been using Booking.com for a decade. Its not perfect but its reliable, comprehensive, and usually competitive on price. A safe default for any trip.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026