I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively for business & pleasure for the last 40 years. Below I share my thoughts along the reasons why my personal & business travel policy was to book direct for all hotel reservations. Now that I am a hotel owner, it is even clearer to me why booking direct has many more benefits.
Once you choose the hotel you want to stay at, where to book it, often comes down to one important variable…price.
Online travel agencies (called OTAs in the industry) like Expedia and Booking.com, have been the go to for the cheapest rates. The relationship between OTAs and hotels has long been contentious, with hotels reluctantly dependent on the booking sites for their ability to reach more potential guests while at the same time, resentful of the high commissions that the sites charge.

Now hotels are fighting back with special services, amenities & rate discount codes available only on their direct booking site. All OTA agreements require that their published rate for any property must, at minimum, cannot be higher than the published rates on all other booking sites, including the hotels direct booking site. Be savvy and check out the hotel direct web site before finalizing your booking. Look behind the rate and the extra’s you will receive if you book direct.

In most hotel reservation systems, direct bookings are highlighted & qualify for many extra benefits when booking and after arrival at the hotel. Here is a list of a few of the benefits of booking direct that you may pay extra for if booked through an OTA site:

• Breakfast & / or (Meal Plan) included when booking direct
• Priority room upgrade when booking direct
• Complimentary fruit bowl in your room when booking direct
• Complimentary afternoon tea service if booked direct
• Complimentary happy hour if booked direct
• Complimentary Bottle of wine or champagne in your room upon arrival if booked direct
• Complimentary local SIM card for your mobile phone if booked direct
• Welcome drink on arrival when booking direct
• Loyalty card for a better rate on your next booking than the rate on OTAs
• Complimentary late check out when booking direct
• Airport transfers when booking direct
• Free Wi-Fi when booking direct
• Evening turn down service when booking direct
• Extra towels & amenities when booking direct
• Priority for room preferences for those who booking direct
• If something goes wrong with your trip or your stay, the hotel can deal directly with you if booked direct. With OTA bookings, you’ll have to go through an OTAs customer service agent, who will then have to liaise between you and the hotel.
• More flexible cancellation & / or change fee’s when booking direct
• Executive floor access when booking direct
• More room types & inventory available on hotel direct web site.
• Better last minute promotions available on hotels web site
• Greater consideration given to extenuating circumstances that arise pre arrival and during your stay at the hotel when booking direct

At LUXE Villas Bali, the benefits of booking direct are stated clearly on our booking page at https://luxevillasbali.com/information-rates-booking-policies/

Everyone is looking for the best rate at the hotel of your choice. I recommend you email the hotel direct and ask what benefits are available when booking direct if it is not obvious on their web site. I guarantee you will be surprised what additional benefits you will enjoy for your well-deserved holiday.

Kind regards,
Paul
Founder & Creator of The LUXE Experience