Traveling without reservations with a 10-year-old in Thailand (page 2 of 2)

why is one more expensive than the other? Well, they're two different business models, *business model* in proper French.

For a year or two now, I’ve been wondering about something. For about a decade, I’ve checked Booking.com before trips to scout accommodations I might stay in once I arrive. Until recently, I could almost always negotiate at least 10% off Booking.com rates—even more in Turkey.

I just got back from Romania, and this time, negotiating on the spot was impossible. Sometimes it was even more expensive! So, I ended up booking "pensiuni" and "cazare"—places that don’t go through reservation platforms—and it was literally half the price for the same type of lodging Booking.com offers.

PS: I don’t find Airbnb cheaper than Booking.com every time I’ve checked—it’s usually the opposite. Maybe just a coincidence?

Sure, but Songsam says Airbnb’s commission is lower.

How does a lower commission result in a higher price?

Are hosts greedier on A than on B?

hi everyone, booking platforms set their prices based on supply and demand, no doubt—they’re basically doing yield management with their algorithms

A few decades ago, I took several trips to Thailand only booking some of my accommodations in advance. With the growth of tourism, now that I know where I want to go, I prefer spending time looking for a good quality-price ratio based on my criteria and booking with cancellation options on platforms A or B, rather than searching upon arrival. On vacation, I don’t have time to waste😉.

A few years ago, I was showing the country to some friends, and the South was severely flooded while I was in Isan—railways, roads, airports, phones, everything was cut off. I had to change my plans (Koh Sukorn, Pattalung, and Prachuap Kiri Khan) to head north, but my favorite little hotels in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai were all fully booked. I found places, of course, but they were less pretty, less friendly, and less well-located.

Especially with a child, I’d recommend booking in advance.

I don’t know when your trip is planned, but when it’s very hot, kids love having a pool in Bangkok, for example. On the other hand, there’s no need to pay for a pool in the north in February—it’s too cold.

If you know where you’re going and what type of accommodation you want, you’ll find people on this forum happy to give you great tips.

Have a great trip.