cheap hotels

Looking for cheap hotels to add to a cheap flight? The rapid expansion of the budget airlines has fueled an explosion in weekend and short breaks. But booking the flight is the easy part; next you have to find a cheap hotel....
Although there are lots of 'cheap hotels' websites, there aren't many good cheap hotels booking websites - most cheap hotels websites don't have online booking or online availability and the choice they offer is limited.
Here we recommend a collection of great cheap hotels booking websites, offering an excellent choice and rock bottom prices - where you can book online.
We've split them between Europe and Worldwide, but before we get to them, we offer some advice and tips on how to get the best deal.

How to book cheap hotels

As with most sections of this web site, our first piece of advice is to shop around. Check out a couple of the cheap hotels booking websites recommended below and see if the airline you booked with offers special deals for passengers.
Booking between two and seven days in advance usually yields the cheapest hotel rooms. Unlike flights, as long as there is no conference or major event in your destination (and you can check that at whatsonwhen), you will often get the lowest price by leaving booking late. But don't wait until the day as prices go back up.
If you want a hotel at the weekend, look at hotels in or near business districts. Business people only want hotels during the week. These hotels are usually of a 'superior' standard but, in order to attract weekend custom, they offer excellent weekend deals.
The cheap hotels booking websites negotiate discounted rates based on volume so it's usually cheaper to buy through them. Usually, but not always. Don't be afraid to try the direct approach. Even if you don't speak the language, most hotels have a receptionist who speaks English. But, you must ask if they have any special offers (a special rate, weekend rate or whatever). If you don't, you will get the 'rack rate'.
Sometimes adding a weekend night will lower the rate for all of the other nights of your stay.
Compare prices, but compare locations too. It's usually worth paying a little extra to be nearer the centre of town, or your preferred attraction.
Don't just rely on 'star' ratings. Look at the facilities the hotel has and rank hotels based on their importance to you.
Find out more about the hotel before you book via links on our 'about your holiday' page.
If breakfast isn't included in your room rate, eat at a local café. It's usually cheaper, fresher and better than in your hotel. Plus, you get to look at the locals.

Where to book cheap hotels
Cheap hotels - For European Hotels
Hotel Connect - if you want to search and book a cheap hotel in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, or anywhere in Europe (plus New York), try this excellent website first. Browse their special offers and, once you've searched, click for a description and picture of the hotel and other essential information.
Active hotels - is one of Europe's leading online reservation providers. Book anything from 5-star quality leisure and corporate hotels to unique independent hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses in key European destinations.
Superbreak - have a database of over 2,500 hotels worldwide, but their main focus is the UK and Europe. A quick search engine. Find a cheap hotel quickly and simply then book it online. Room rates, facilities, grades, detailed descriptions and even photos are available for most hotels.
At Total Stay you can choose from more than 12,000 hotels in Europe and worldwide at up to 70% off published rates. Check the comprehensive hotel information and independent reports then book and get instant online confirmation. The website covers international chains and independent hotels.
Click & Go Now - 'Europes leading online hotel discount wholesaler', this site offers savings of up to 60% on over 60,000 hotels, online real time booking and guaranteed availability. After a quick and easy to use search you're presented with a broad range of hotels. Click on any of the hotels for a comprehensive description of the hotel and its location.
Cheap hotels - Europe and beyond....
Expedia - another mention for the UK's number one online travel agent. A very good site that's always worth a look, especially if you want flights too (or flights, a hotel and a car). If you book a hotel and flight together with expedia the whole thing can work out 20 - 30% cheaper than booking them separately via a discount flight and cheap hotel website. (But don't buy their insurance - which is automatically added into the quote - it's up to 4 times more expensive than those on our travel insurance page. Click 'already have insurance' and buy elsewhere).
OTC - have a database of over 70,000 hotels worldwide and a quick search engine. You can find a cheap hotel quickly and simply then book it online. As with expedia, you might look at their city breaks section, where you can add a flight and hotel and get a discount on both.
For Cheap Hotels in the US use the Travel-Hounds.com hotels directory. Cheap rates, great selection, and detailed hotel profiles make this site an excellent booking engine for travelers in the US.
Lastminute.com - if you're travelling lastminute to a 'mainstream' destination such as Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, or New York, include lastminute within your cheap hotel search. A regular place for bargains, you might be lucky.
Opodo - another mention for the web site set up by a number of leading European airlines. As some of the biggest travel companies in their countries of operation, they use their buying power to negotiate excellent prices on hotels too.