Gone are the days when you need to book a room when you arrive at the hotel location. Regardless of where you are, you can reserve a room with a few clicks. In this post, we will walk you through some of the best hotel booking platforms in Nigeria. We will also give you a booking checklist that ensures you do not miss any steps.
Top 10 Hotel Booking Platforms in Nigeria
1. Hotels.ng
Since its inception in 2013, hotel.ng has grown to become one of the most used hotel booking platforms in Nigeria. It has an intuitive user interface and over 15,000 hotel options you could choose from. Users also love the hotel.ng because it gives detailed descriptions of the hotels and a large inventory of budget-friendly options.
2. Jumia Travels
In 2016, Jovago rebranded and became known as Jumia Travel. This reputable website is one of Nigeria’s trusted booking platforms because it has thousands of listings and a responsive customer support team. The platform is easy to use, and it makes it easy for you to modify your bookings.
3. Booking.com
Booking.com is a globally recognized hotel booking platform. It features Nigerian hotels and has an excellent filtering system to save you from scams. It also has verified guest reviews and free cancellation on many listings. The only downside with booking.com is that the price listings are sometimes more pricey than the prices on local platforms.
4. Airbnb
Cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt have experienced an increase in short-term apartments. Blame this on the desire of guests to enjoy privacy, comfort, and longer stays. If you desire to lock in with your friends and colleagues, Airbnb may be your preferred option. The rooms are more spacious than those in regular hotels, and you get a chance to enjoy absolute privacy without interference from other people.
5. Travelbeta
Travelbeta is a great choice for travellers who prefer a combined flight, hotel, and travel package. It has pocket-friendly offers, and it is an ideal choice for customers who are planning multi-leg trips. Opting for the bundled flight and accommodation packages is often cheaper than standalone bookings of accommodation and flights. Hence, helping you to save more money.
6. Wakanow
Wakanow started as a travel agency, but it has since evolved to become a travel service that includes hotels, flights, and holiday packages. It is a great choice for travellers who need an all-inclusive package covering hotel, flight, and visa. Tourists often appraise Wakanow for its strong local presence and customer support. However, it may be pricier than DIY bookings when you need just one hotel night.
7. Plistbooking
Plistbooking is one of the best hotel booking platforms in Nigeria. Its housing options also include shortlets and apartments across different states in Nigeria. Plistbooking is particularly helpful for event planners who would love to make guest bookings for a long time frame.
8. Bookhotels.ng
Bookhotels.ng has several hotel recommendations spread across the different states in Nigeria. One of their selling points is their prompt customer response and secure payment methods. The team is always working around the clock to ensure you get prompt responses and help when you need it.
9. Travala.com
Travala.com is a global hotel listing site that features Nigerian hotels. This makes it easy for travellers on tour to book their accommodation across different countries. Due to the wide reach of the site, it is advisable to always double-check listings and locations of the hotel before making payments. It is also important to note that Travala.com’s Nigeria hotel listings are not as robust as listings of Nigeria-dedicated hotel listing sites.
10. Momondo
Momondo is a global hotel-search / travel-search engine that gives an overview of prices for flights, hotels, and car rental deals. It also includes listings of Nigerian hotels, which make it easy for you to book Nigerian hotels from the site. Momondo is highly recommended by The Daily Telegraph, Forbes, Time, and AOL.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Hotel Booking Platforms in Nigeria
1. Not Reading the Full Hotel Listing
Sometimes, tourists assume all the details they need to know are in the headline of the listing. Unfortunately, essential details like room size, bed type, facilities, or hotel policies may be hidden in the full body of the listing. At other times, the hotel may not have amenities like Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, or 24-hour electricity unless explicitly stated.
2. Ignoring Guest Reviews
Guest reviews are a gem you shouldn’t joke with. They are actual observations of people who passed the night and may be indications of issues that are not mentioned by the company. Reading the negative and the positive reviews will give you a balanced picture of the hotel and help you manage your expectations well.
3. Overlooking Location Details
When booking a hotel, ensure you do not base the choice on price or aesthetics without verifying the location. No matter how aesthetically appealing or cheap a hotel is, ensure it is close enough to your event venue. Otherwise, you might subject yourself to avoidable stress. Check the exact address, landmarks, and estimated travel time so you can use it to your advantage.
4. Not Confirming Hidden Charges
Before booking on a platform, always confirm that the price displayed is the final cost you will be expected to pay. Sometimes, users get shocked at the checkout phase when the price increases significantly. Ensure to look out for the “additional charges,” “taxes,” or “service fees.”
5. Ignoring Cancellation and Refund Policies
Some bookings are non-refundable, while others have strict cancellation timelines. Several people don’t read these policies till their plans change and they realize their money is gone. To avoid such surprises, always confirm that your booking is flexible and you can reschedule or get a refund.
Conclusion
Booking a hotel is now easier and more flexible than ever. From the comfort of your home or office, you can easily book your preferred hotel for your trip. In this guide, we shared some of the best hotel booking platforms in Nigeria.
