La « meilleure acquisition dans l'histoire d'Internet » …

En créant Booking.com en 1996 à Amsterdam, l’informaticien Geert-Jan Bruinsma était loin de penser que sa petite start-up, financée à l’époque par l’université de Twente, allait devenir l’une des plus grandes sociétés de commerce électronique au monde dans le secteur des voyages. À tel point d’ailleurs que lorsque la plateforme Internet fut rachetée en 2005 par le groupe américain Priceline, celle-ci lui permit de résoudre ses problèmes financiers, en transformant notamment ses pertes de plusieurs millions de dollars en bénéfices de l’ordre du milliard de dollars, faisant alors de ce rachat « la meilleure acquisition dans l'histoire d'Internet » !

Booking.com ou la réservation sous toutes ses formes…

S’il s’agissait au départ de la simple réservation d’hébergements pour les voyages d’affaires et touristiques, il est aujourd’hui question de mettre à disposition du client une seule et unique plateforme Internet pour réserver absolument tout le nécessaire pour voyager, qu’il s’agisse aussi bien du logement que du transport (vols, voitures de location, taxis-aéroport) ou encore des attractions et activités à faire pendant le séjour.

Et côté hébergement, on est bien loin de la simple chambre d’hôtel ! Effectivement, Booking.com offre à ses clients la possibilité de réserver parmi pas moins de 50 types de logements, allant des plus traditionnels (appartements, complexes hôteliers, villas, auberges de jeunesse, B&B/chambres d’hôtes, gîtes…) aux plus fous (riads, ryokans, bateaux-hôtels, tentes de luxe, tiny houses…). Et ce, pour tous les budgets dans le monde entier, l’idée maîtresse étant : faire en sorte qu’explorer le monde soit à la portée de toutes et de tous.

Et quoi de mieux, pour ce faire, qu’un site de réservation en ligne disponible dans 43 langues ? Avec cet atout linguistique, Booking.com est sûre de toucher une clientèle internationale qu’elle entend d’ailleurs chouchouter et séduire jusqu’au bout avec son assistance 24h/24 et 7j/7, sa politique de « zéro frais de réservation » et, enfin, son programme de fidélité Genius niveau 1 et 2 qui offre au client une réduction de l’ordre de 10 % sur le prix normal de son hébergement.

Découvrir toutes les offres
Visit the website
Voir le site

Avis sur Booking.com

Résumé des 23 avis
3.4/5
Note moyenne
+46
Recos totales

Notes moyennes par critère

Service client
3.2/5
Fiabilité
3.3/5
Qualité/prix
3.7/5

FRAUD!!!

FRAUD. I made a reservation on Booking for an apartment that the site rated 3 stars.
Booking kindly confirmed my reservation.
Then I received an email asking me to make a payment.
I informed the site, and they confirmed that it was normal and invited me to wait 48 hours to see or to call the establishment. I did that, and I reached a poor guy who told me in Italian that the listing is fake, that he keeps getting calls for reservations, and that Booking had removed the listing. False, it is still there.
After checking, it is definitely a scam.
I had to block my card to avoid being robbed.
Without my research, other people would still be getting robbed. Booking's reaction is completely pathetic.

4
Does not recommend :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

Watch out

Be careful not to pay directly on the site for hotel reservations, because the hotels don't have the info and so you are forced to pay a second time, and Booking customer service does nothing to refund you despite the proof.

4
Does not recommend :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

Perfect for planning a road trip

Using Booking.com is a no-brainer when I am planning my road trips. I find my places to stay so easily and quickly, whether through the website or the smartphone app. Keeping track of reservations is very simple, and it is easy to show your booking when checking in. The activity suggestions they offer are sometimes really spot on.

4
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

A no-brainer

It is very simple, it does not even cross my mind to use anything other than Booking for hotel reservations (short and long stays). Every time the prices are competitive, with the Genius loyalty program there are always little discounts or perks, and the interface is clear for searching: no hesitation! Honestly, I have NEVER had a problem with the platform, so I recommend it with my eyes closed.

2
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service : N/A
Reliability :
Value for money :

Reliable

I use Booking regularly for stays of one night or more, and I have never had any bad surprises. The site is reliable, and the descriptions always match reality. What I especially appreciate is the ability to cancel without fees, often until the day before. This provides real flexibility when plans change.

2
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

An easy to use platform

I often use Booking, especially for basic stays, like one night near the airport. I have never been disappointed. The platform is quite intuitive, and the filters work well. The discounts are attractive depending on your Genius level, for both lodging and car rentals.

0
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service : N/A
Reliability :
Value for money :

Flexible, clear, and responsive

It is a very well-designed site. We went as a group of 7 couples for 15 days and we used Booking, logging in all at the same time to make sure we were in the same property. It was flawless for reservations, very flexible, clear, and the customer reviews are credible.

If you need anything, the customer service is very responsive and proactive, providing good support for the traveler.

1
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

A fast search and booking tool

I use Booking for most of my trips, both in France and abroad, and so far, I have never had a bad experience. The platform and the app allow for efficient searching, with plenty of filters to organize your stay. Often, the prices listed are more expensive than going directly to the accommodation's website, so I use Booking primarily to scout out housing options before heading to the hotels' own pages. Managing reservations remains very simple, and it is possible to cancel with a single click. Plus, the Genius status levels offer great last-minute discounts.

1
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

Pretty efficient travel operator

I have been a Booking customer for a long time and my hotel or flight reservations have almost always gone well (one disappointment with a dishonest hotel and Booking customer service was not very helpful). The site is pretty well made, intuitive, and lets you see the availability of different properties or flights almost in real time, with quite a few explanations provided. The messaging system is also very useful for getting in touch with the property in question. On the other hand, I have had some doubts about the authenticity of the ratings for certain apartments or hotels recently added to the Booking catalog (a very good rating before starting a reservation, which suddenly changes when the booking process is initiated). It is also worth noting that as a Genius member, I have access to certain discounts, without which the Booking offer might not be more attractive than those offered by other operators or by booking directly with the hotel or company concerned.

1
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

Booking without the headache

A good site for easily finding accommodations, especially abroad. It is a plus when you are in a place you do not know. The interface and the process are simple and clear. The downside, however, is the pricing. For accommodations in France, I have always gotten cheaper rates by contacting the hotel directly.

1
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

Convenient and comprehensive platform

I have had the opportunity to book many stays with Booking.com and everything has always gone very well. Do not hesitate to carefully check the reviews beforehand so you are not disappointed by your accommodation. The site is easy and convenient to use. It is also very comprehensive and allows you to save time when organizing your trips.

2
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

A must-use for online booking

I have been using Booking for years and for me it is the go-to for hotel accommodations. The search system is very intuitive. You can choose your hotel based on your household size, price, location, breakfast, etc. There are regularly some very good last-minute deals. The reviews also turn out to be useful for checking on potential issues with certain accommodations. Personally, they have always been responsive whenever I needed customer service.

0
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

A huge selection of accommodations

Even when booking at the last minute, I have always been able to find a place to stay on this site. Years ago, you could only find hotels, but now you can find everything, from vacation rentals and apartments to vacation clubs and even airline tickets.
By the way, speaking of airline tickets, I do not recommend Booking for flight reservations. They canceled my checked baggage option for no reason, and I had to pay full price for the checked bag once I was at the airport.

0
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

The go-to for booking stays

Easy to use app.
It lets you target hotels using customer recommendations.
The more you use the app, the more discounts and perks you get, so it is great if you travel often.
The downside: the margin is high and that comes at the expense of both the traveler and the hotel.

2
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

Booking.com, a comprehensive and clear site

I used Booking.com to book a hotel in Angers recently. I really liked that:
- It was on this site that I found the cheapest price.
- You can find a huge number of hotels there. Whatever the destination or dates, I often find deals on Booking.
- I think the site is pretty clear.
- I didn't need to pay a deposit or anything like that to book.

On the other hand, I did have to leave my credit card number as a guarantee... Too bad that cancellations via Booking are only valid up to 48 hours before the stay. Beyond that, you have to contact the hotel directly. As luck would have it, I had an issue 24 hours before, and it went poorly for me (the hotel charged my credit card for the first night anyway).

So, in conclusion, a site like Booking that allowed last minute cancellations without a penalty would be perfect :)

Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

0
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

Satisfied loyal customer

I use this site regularly for my business trips (mainly in Paris). Very good, no issues at all, even in case of cancellation. Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

0
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

Bad experience with the best price guarantee

Booking.com promises to match the lowest prices. On January 10, I booked a 7-night stay in Madeira. Two days later, the same stay (same duration, same hotel, same room type, same dates) was almost 40 euros cheaper on their own site. So, I asked for an upgrade, not even a refund. I got a convoluted response, but they refused to honor it. This is the second time I have had this kind of problem with them. I do not recommend this site, which also does not answer the phone or, if they do (I got through once after dozens of attempts), you have to speak Spanish. Also, get your information from them and negotiate directly with the hotel. You will see, it works. Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

0
Does not recommend :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

1 hiccup but lots of wins

I have used Booking.com to book hotel rooms at least a dozen times in Thailand, the Philippines, Brazil, Germany, and France. Only one time did it not work out. It was in Rio, and the hotel said they had not received the booking request from Booking.com. Booking.com replied by email claiming they had indeed sent the reservation request. Who should you believe? Otherwise, every other time I have gotten my room at the price indicated on the site.

Avis importé le 04/11/2020 depuis notre ancien site Voyage-Net.com

0
Recommends :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money :

Card charged despite reservation cancellation

I am very disappointed with the Booking.com site. I made a reservation that I had to cancel the next day for medical reasons. I called the hotel, and they told me there was no problem, but surprise! €180 was charged to my VISA card, and this amount is unrecoverable!!!! Who is collecting this money, and who is benefiting from it? One thing is for sure, I will never make a reservation through this site again, which I was testing for the first time. Usually, I book directly on the hotel website, and I have never experienced this problem.

Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

1
Does not recommend :
Overall rating :
Customer service : N/A
Reliability :
Value for money : N/A

Card charged immediately

I am very unhappy with this site because I booked two rooms in Sydney at the beginning of April for September with free cancellation until the end of August. However, I had the unpleasant surprise of discovering that the hotel charged me for both rooms immediately, which was over 1600 euros (about $1730). :o >:( I contacted Booking at 0.34 euros per minute, and they sent me a simple email apologizing for the inconvenience! They did what was necessary, but the refund from this hotel, which I canceled by the way because this didn't make me want to stay there, was sent via a transfer that I will receive in a maximum of fourteen days. On the other hand, I was charged by the hotel right away. Since then, my credit card has been blocked because my limit was reached with this unexpected amount. Hello this site!!! watch out everyone!!!! Their customer service told me they had no power over the hotels!!!!! ??? >:( Great!!! Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

0
Does not recommend :
Overall rating :
Customer service :
Reliability :
Value for money : N/A