Booking.com is an online travel agency based in Amsterdam that facilitates reservations for lodging, transportation, attractions and other travel services. Founded in 1996, it has grown to be one of the largest online booking platforms worldwide, available in over 40 languages and listing properties in 228 countries.
Booking.com connects consumers looking to reserve accommodations, flights, rental cars and activities with business partners providing those services. Partners load inventory onto Booking’s platform to gain visibility while Booking facilitates the transactions.
As an online travel agent, Booking does not own, operate or manage any of the properties. They provide marketing reach and a convenient booking interface between independent travel suppliers and consumers. Their business model is based on commissions from partners on completed reservations.
Booking offers an extensive selection of hotels, motels, resorts, B&Bs and other lodging options large and small. Users can filter by amenities, price, reviews, location and more to find suitable options. Booking also facilitates flight, rental car and activities bookings powered by third party partners.
The website provides photos, descriptions, mapping, and reviews for properties to inform selections. Reviews from travelers who previously booked via Booking.com can provide helpful insights. However, as with any open review system, experiences can vary and the legitimacy of individual reviews is difficult to fully verify.
Booking’s global reach and scale provides consumer choice. Their large demand volume enables negotiating competitive rates. Reviews and photos aid decision making. For partners, Booking provides a marketing platform to reach millions of potential guests online. Overall, Booking appears to offer a legitimate helpful service for travelers seeking accommodations worldwide. But first-hand experience or unbiased expert analysis is required to fully evaluate quality.
