I’m interested to know what website/s you like the best for booking and paying for accommodation in New Zealand and why.
I regularly advise accommodation operators about what websites to list on and what booking systems to use so I am aware of the most popular websites in terms of rankings and website traffic, which I think would correlate with booking popularity too, right?
Well, maybe not – so I’d like to hear about what people think rather than statistics, some things I’m keen to know:
- Do you always use the same tourism or accommodation website to book?
- Or do you tend to book direct with the accommodation property?
- Maybe you don’t book online at all and use email or the phone or even a travel agent?
- Do you use a different website for business versus holiday?
Tell me – I want to know what and why.
I will kick it off, I always book on Travelbug* or Wotif. I like Travelbug because it’s easy to use, good pricing, comprehensive and has an easy booking process, but sometimes I’ll also use Wotif for similar reasons but mainly because it may sometimes offer a better deal.
* Probably best to disclose that I was part of the development and launch of Travelbug when I was Marketing Manager at Vianet, but I stand behind my reasons for liking it and am no longer with Vianet or involved in promoting Travelbug. 
Now – let’s hear yours! Add a comment.
I used travelpoint.com.au to book my last holiday and found it really easy to use, they also have a call centre so once I worked out my itenary I rang and ran it by their staff who were really helpful.
Hi
I cant say i’ve used any website to book accommodation while in NZ (lol i just need to remember where i put my house keys), but i did spend over 2 years living and traveling europe and asia. I’m a massive fan of hostelworld.com as its quick & simply to use.
You can book for yourself or for groups and has never let me down!!!!
It was so easy that i stopped using any other website. You can also buy a years membership (only 5 pounds) which means you dont pay any booking fees, when moving from hostel to hostel for several weeks on end this saves heaps.
Also you have a range of accommodations to choose from, camping, hostels to hotels!
The most useful thing about it was the reviews, you could read up on comments left behind from previous guests so you aint walking in blind!!
Its hugely popular in europe, almost everyone i met had used or heard of it.
Yip im a fan, and next time i embark on a random adventure i’ll be surfing hostelworld.com first.
Hope that helps
Thanks for your comments, great to know what works well for the backpacking market.
Needitnow.com. Huge profile in Australia but not well-known here. Wotif-style site with Australia and NZ product focus. “Secret Stay” deals sell like hotcakes… mystery 4 or 5 star hotel in each city. Disclosure: I work for AOT, owner company.
Thanks Kathy, good to know about the deals on Needitnow
Wotif. Sometimes Jasons but Jasons has gone off the boil of late.
I use Wotif – easy to use, good way of comparisons. Find it easier than Expedia which gives you lots of unneessary stuff.
I use Wotif to find out what accommodation is available in the area.
Most recently I’ve taken to calling a Tourist Info Centre which, more often than not has been the most helpful place to find the right place for the right price!
So do you also book on wotif or just use it to find out the options? Interesting about using “humans” at the Info Centre – the personal touch!
I use wotif to book if it fits my travel arrangements.
I tend to use Wotif or hotel’s own websites for hotels. I use Book a Bach or Travel Bug to book self-catering/motels as they both have a great range.
Sounds like you use a good selection of sites depending on what you need
WOTIF for Australasia its just simple
Simple is good (and obviously important!).
I always book direct and use email to arrange. Mostly because the places are small or if a hotel I like to ask for best rates or specials. Saying that, if a hotel I often check wotif for an idea of rates and different options.
That’s probably a common approach, if a small accommodation property has a booking system on their website would you use it or still email them?
If the site looks professional and has a reputable booking system then probably. I do worry that they might not of updated the availablity with small properties though so would be tempted to confirm it is actually available.
That’s a good point about updating availability Amie, if there’s a system on their website they should be pretty quick to keep it updated, plus if there is a problem they would be obliged to sort it out for you.
Travelbug
I always check Wotif first as it’s always the first to spring to mind and we’re often booking at the last minute. After that I ask Google for last minute site recommendations.
I mainly use wotif.
Not because I think it’s particularly wonderful, but mainly because I’ve always used it and it seems hard to change…
… and when I have given others a cursory glance, wotif still seems to have the best deals.
aahh yes, change is sometimes a hard thing….