Booking.com vs GetYourGuide vs Tripadvisor: When to Use Which

After 20+ hotel bookings in 6 years, Nim and I have tested almost every travel platform out there. The verdict? There is no single best platform. Each one has a sweet spot, and using the right one for the right need is what saves you money and stress.

Here is our honest breakdown of the platforms we actually use, based on years of real bookings across Europe, Africa, and the Indian Ocean.

Our Platform Toolkit

For the record, these are the platforms we open on every trip:

•       Booking.com for hotels abroad (our most-used platform by far)

•       Airbnb for accommodations in Mauritius, we’ve not yet tested Airbnb abroad.

•       GetYourGuide for activities, tours, and experiences

•       Tripadvisor for reviews, restaurants, and research

•       Blue Sky agency for Rodrigues and local packages

Each one has its role. Let us walk you through it.

Booking.com: The Hotel Powerhouse

If I had to pick one platform I could not travel without, it is Booking.com. I have made over +20 reservations in the last 6 years, from boutique hotels in Sweden to city-centre stays in Manchester and beach hotels in Cape Town.

What I love:

•       The Free Cancellation option. I always, always book with free cancellation up to 24 hours before check-in. It has saved me multiple times when plans shifted.

•       The Genius loyalty programme gives real discounts after a few bookings.

•       Clear photos, clear reviews, clear policies.

•       Easy rebooking if something goes wrong.

What to watch out for:

•       Taxe de séjour (tourist tax) is often NOT included in the displayed price. Expect to pay an extra 1€ to 5€ per night in most European cities.

•       Some hotels add a service charge or a resort fee (mostly in the USA and some beach destinations) that appears only in the fine print.

•       Parking is rarely included. Always check.

Best for: hotels abroad, especially in cities.

Airbnb: Local Only for Us

We use Airbnb almost exclusively for Mauritius. It is the best way to discover local gems, beach villas, and tucked-away apartments that no hotel brand offers.

What I love:

•       Unique properties you cannot find anywhere else.

•       Perfect for longer stays (3+ nights).

•       Great for groups and families.

What to watch out for:

•       Cleaning fees (30 to 80€ on average).

•       Service fees (around 14% of the booking).

•       Extra guest charges that can add up quickly.

•       Always read the house rules before booking.

Best for: Mauritius and longer stays anywhere else in the world.

GetYourGuide: The Activity King

Every time we plan a trip, GetYourGuide is the first platform I open for activities. From our Cape Town morning Prosecco cruise (with 16 adults, 1 child, and a baby!) to Nordic ice skating on a frozen lake in Stockholm, the range of experiences is unmatched.

What I love:

•       Massive selection for every destination.

•       Clear reviews from real travellers.

•       Mobile tickets work even offline.

•       Easy cancellation on most activities.

What to watch out for:

•       Small service fees built into the price (usually 2–5%).

•       Some skip the line options are sold as paid add-ons on top of the base ticket. Read carefully.

Best for: guided tours, day trips, activities, bucket-list experiences.

Tripadvisor: The Research Platform

We use Tripadvisor less for booking, more for researching. Before choosing a restaurant, a hotel, or an activity, I almost always cross-check Tripadvisor reviews.

What I love:

•       The largest review database in the travel world.

•       Restaurant rankings by city are gold.

•       Forums are full of real traveller advice.

What to watch out for:

•       Tripadvisor bookings often redirect to third-party platforms, so fees and policies vary.

•       Some restaurants pay for placement, so the top results are not always the best. Read the reviews.

Best for: restaurant research, traveller forums, cross-checking reviews before booking elsewhere.

BlueSky: Our Rodrigues Specialist

For anyone travelling to Rodrigues from Mauritius, BlueSky is the name to know. They handle flights, ferry transfers, and hotel packages locally, with prices and knowledge you will not find elsewhere.

Best for: Rodrigues packages, Air Mauritius domestic flights, Indian Ocean island-hopping.

The Hidden Fees Nobody Tells You About

A quick heads-up on fees that catch even experienced travellers off guard:

•       Tourist tax / taxe de séjour (Booking.com, Airbnb): paid at check-in, not included in the online price.

•       Cleaning fees (Airbnb): 30–80€ on top of the nightly rate.

•       Service fees (Airbnb, GetYourGuide): 2–14% depending on the platform.

•       Credit card fees: some European hotels charge an extra 1–3% for paying by card on site.

•       Parking fees: rarely included, always add up.

Our golden rule: before confirming any booking, check the FINAL price on the payment page, not the price in the search results.

Our Verdict: Which Platform When?

Your Need	Our Go-To Platform
Hotels abroad	Booking.com
Accommodation in Mauritius	Airbnb
Activities, tours, experiences	GetYourGuide
Restaurant research	Tripadvisor
Rodrigues packages	BlueSky

We never rely on a single platform. We cross-check, compare, and pick the one that works best for the specific trip.

Final Thoughts: Use the Right Tool for the Right Job

There is no magic platform. There is only the platform that fits the moment.

After 6 years of bookings, our rule is simple: Booking.com for the bed, GetYourGuide for the fun, Tripadvisor for the research, Airbnb when you are home in Mauritius, and Atom Travel for everything Rodrigues.

The next time you are planning a trip, open all of them. Compare. Then book smart.