Agoda versus Booking

So on my recent trek around China with Rob and Sharon, we met with a number of challenges when organising accommodation in the different areas we visited.  I have both booking.com and agoda.com downloaded to my Iphone for hotel/hostel booking on the go. So here is my opinion on the pros and cons of using these websites.

Agoda

• Agoda has a great app for smartphones and the website is very user friendly.
• Agoda offers travellers pictures, descriptions and reviews of hotels which gives a frank and honest account of each place.
• You pay for the accommodation straight away.
• They have a good refund policy if the accommodation is not what the website described. We stayed in a place in Beijing that said it had three beds per room. On arriving we discovered the room was tiny and with three beds in the room there would not have been enough room for even one suitcase!!! On calling Agoda, the lady on the helpline was bilingual and could speak both English to me and Chinese to the hotel receptionist.
• Writing reviews for Agoda accommodation allows you to build up points to use to avail of offers for hotels/ hostels.
• An email is sent to you with confirmation of your booking. 
• You can print this or present your phone to the accommodation as proof of booking.

Booking.com

• Booking.com also have a very accessible website and a great smartphone app.
• Booking.com also gives an account of the various accomodation options. 
• Your credit card merely reserves the booking. If you cancel less than two days before the price of the first night is charged to your card.
• You pay for the accommodation on arrival. This is a great option as if you don't like the accommodation then you don't have to stay and part with your money. Agoda on the oth1er hand you need to go through the rigmarole of getting a refund and at that the total amount is not refunded to you.
• The thing I liked most about Booking.com is that when they email you confirmation of your booking, they give you the hotel's address and phone number in English and in the local language. This was particularly handy in China where most people do not have English (and we certainly didn't have Chinese!).

Verdict?

I've used both websites for a number of different trips in different countries and both have their merits. With all the pros and cons weighed up, however, I would highly recommend booking.com for the simple fact that you don't pay until you get to your destination and that they provide the best details in their confirmation email. This, in a country like China, proved an invaluable asset!