🏨 Booking.com for Travel Families
What You Need to Know!
When it comes to booking accommodation as a full-time travelling family, convenience is key. You’re juggling school, work, content creation, and the occasional "Mum, where's my sock?" — so having a platform that lets you book fast, compare prices, and find places around the world is a big win.
That’s where Booking.com often comes in.
✅ Why Families Choose Booking.com
We’ll be honest — Booking.com has a lot going for it, especially when you’re moving fast and need short-term stays that suit a family lifestyle.
💡 The Positives:
1. It’s Convenient & Worldwide
Booking.com covers nearly every destination you could think of. Whether you're in Bali, Barcelona, or Belize — you can quickly search and book on the go.
2. Great for Short-Term Stays
Unlike Airbnb, where longer bookings often make more sense, Booking.com is fantastic for 1–7 night stays — especially in cities where you just need a crash pad.
3. Wide Range of Property Types
You can choose from:
Hotels
Hostels
Apartments
Guesthouses
Luxury villas
Even boutique homestays
There’s something for every family size and budget.
4. Competitive Prices
You’ll often find last-minute deals and budget-friendly options that beat other platforms. Perfect if you’re managing a tight family travel budget.
5. You Can Book Flights and Car Rentals Too
This is a bonus — having your transport and accommodation sorted in one place makes planning smoother.
⚠️ But It’s Not All Smooth Sailing...
While Booking.com is popular, we’ve had some seriously rough experiences — and if you're travelling as a family, your margin for error is much smaller.
We always aim to be honest with you, so here’s what we wish we knew before using it.
😬 Scams on Booking.com (Yes, They Happen)
Unfortunately, scams are very real on Booking.com — and we’ve been burned. Here’s what happened to us in Kuala Lumpur, which we now jokingly call Scam City:
We booked a place online that looked great.
We were told last minute that it was pay on arrival by a random man who met us at reception door, which seemed dodgy!
When we got there, they demanded upfront cash, saying we had to pay “additional fees” of £150+ that were buried in the fine print.
The host refused to accept card, demanded a deposit there and then (I didn’t give him one ad I knew we would never see it again), and the place wasn’t even like the photos — it was run-down, dirty, and not in the right location.
Spoiler: We walked away and found a better place down the road. But it could’ve been much worse!
This isn’t an isolated case — we found loads of similar stories happening across Malaysia, Thailand, and Central America. It’s not just Booking.com either — it’s been reported on Agoda and Trip too.
Scammers Alert on Booking.com
Be cautious of additional charges, upfront fees and cash only requests! Also, check the reviews thoroughly…. yes keep scrolling down!
⚠️ Booking.com Scams to Watch Out For (and Our Experience in Kuala Lumpur)
Unfortunately, scams are very real on Booking.com — and we’ve had firsthand experience with them.
When we booked a place in Kuala Lumpur, the photos looked lovely, the reviews were glowing, and it seemed like a safe bet. But when we arrived, the host hit us with unexpected fees, demanded cash, and the place was nothing like what was advertised.
We did some digging afterward and realised…
🚨 Scammers Have Clever Tricks
These shady tactics are becoming more common:
They manipulate reviews. You'll see lots of 5-star reviews up top, but scroll further down and the bad ones start appearing — often mentioning the exact issues we faced.
They shut down listings. If too many negative reviews pile up, some hosts will simply close the listing and open a new one, sometimes transferring the positive reviews from their old property to make it look legit again. It’s sneaky — and sadly, it works.
Honestly, it's shady and incredibly misleading for travellers — especially families relying on honest reviews for safety and peace of mind.🛑 Booking.com’s Weaknesses for Families
1. No Real Quality Control
Anyone can list a property, and once it's live, it's up to the host to stay honest. We’ve stayed at places that looked nothing like the photos — no recourse, no refund.
2. Poor Customer Support
Trying to contact Booking.com when something goes wrong is a mission in itself. You end up getting generic responses, or none at all.
3. Hidden Fees Galore
A common scam is to list a cheap nightly rate, then tack on fees in the “fine print” — taxes, cleaning, extra guest charges, etc. You only find out when you arrive, and by then, you're stuck.
4. Cash-Only Requests
Some properties demand cash to avoid credit card fees — but that’s bad news for families like us.
ATM fees, currency conversion rates, and cash withdrawal limits (like our £400/day cap) can make it really expensive. And handing over your only safety net — cash — in a foreign country is risky.
💳 Top Tips for Booking with Booking.com as a Family
Let’s make sure you don’t end up in the same boat! Here are our tried-and-tested tips for booking smart:
✅ 1. Always Pay by Card or Credit Card Online
Never pay cash on arrival. Use a card so you can dispute charges or get a refund if needed. Credit cards also offer extra protection.
✅ 2. Avoid “Pay at Property” Listings Where Possible
Choose places that let you pay in advance online. It’s safer and reduces the chance of sudden “fee surprises.”
✅ 3. Dig Deep into the Reviews
Don’t just look at star ratings — read the latest reviews for signs of scams, dirty rooms, poor communication, or extra charges. If there’s not many reviews then do not stay!
✅ 4. Double-Check the Location
Some listings aren’t where they say they are. Use Google Maps and Street View to verify!
✅ 5. Take Screenshots
Before booking, screenshot the price breakdown, listing details, and host terms. If anything changes later, you have proof.
✅ 6. Trust Your Gut
If something feels off — it probably is. Always have a backup option saved in case a booking falls through.
🙋♀️ Why We Use Airbnb More Now
After a few too many Booking.com disasters, we’ve shifted back to Airbnb for most of our family stays — especially for longer-term accommodation (but still be cautious, scams are everywhere).
Airbnb accept card payments, we’ve had refunds processed when needed, and we feel more secure booking entire homes where we can actually live, work, and learn together.
🎒 Final Thoughts from the Road
Booking.com has its place in our toolkit — especially for short, budget-friendly city stays — but we book with caution. As a full-time travelling family, getting scammed isn’t just annoying… it’s a major financial and emotional hit when you’re living from your savings.
So if you're planning to use it, go in with your eyes wide open, read everything, and never hand over cash just because someone asks nicely.
Want to hear more real stories and tips?
🎥 Check out our [YouTube channel] for behind-the-scenes vlogs from the road — and subscribe so you never miss a lesson we’ve learned the hard way!
