The best hotel booking site in Canada is Booking.com because of its price transparency and huge selection of hotels, but we also like Expedia and Google Hotels.
We tested the most popular hotel booking sites available to Canadians, as well as a few less common sites and apps like Hopper and HotelTonight. These sites and apps can help you find hotels, book cheap flights, and, in some cases, explore vacation packages around the world.
Here’s how each site performed on pricing for 3 sample itineraries, the pros and cons of each hotel booking site or app, and a look at the landing page of each one so you can see what the hotel booking experience would actually be like.
Key Takeaways
- Booking.com has excellent price transparency and a huge selection of hotels.
- Expedia has a great mobile app, but not always the best prices.
- Google Hotels uncovered some of the lowest prices.
- Always check the direct hotel site before booking on a comparison site to make sure you’re getting the best price.
Testing the top hotel websites and apps in Canada
For the purposes of our comparison, we'll be looking at three different weekend-stay scenarios for two adults:
- Scenario 1: Toronto during off season (February 21st to 23rd)
- Scenario 2: Florida during peak season (February 21st to 23rd)
- Scenario 3: Halifax during normal season (March 7th to 9th)
| Site | Scenario 1: DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Toronto | Scenario 2: Hyatt Regency Miami | Scenario 3: The Westin Nova Scotian |
|---|---|---|---|
| The hotel website | $489 | $884 | $423 |
| Booking.com | $416 | $1,119 | $411 |
| HotelsCombined | $415 | $1,119 | $423 |
| Agoda | $415 | $1,119 | $423 |
| TripAdvisor | $415 | $1,083 | $423 |
| Hotels.com | $415 | $1,146 | $423 |
| Priceline | $415 | $1,119 | $423 |
| Trip.com | $421 | $1,103 | $423 |
| Trivago | $459 | $1,119 | $423 |
| Hotwire | $416 | $1,148 | $423 |
| HotelTonight | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kayak | $415 | $1,119 | $423 |
| Google Hotels | $415 | $1,146 | $423 |
| Expedia.ca | $415 | $1,146 | $423 |
| Hopper | N/A | N/A | $N/A |
| Skyscanner | $415 | $1,083 | $423 |
| Momondo | $415 | $1,118 | $423 |
Note: If you create an account with any of these websites, you may be able to secure even better deals through various member-only promotions and prices. This table was updated on February 12, 2025.
Also note: The prices here are for comparison purposes only. Any searches you do will likely produce different price results, depending on several factors, including the date of your search.
As you can see, a lot of results are pretty similar. This is especially true of Halifax, our not-so-big big city, where most results are within a couple dollars from each other.
For the Toronto results, doing the work to compare prices could save you more than $100 in some cases, so some extra time and effort may or may not be worth it. But Florida had multiple hundreds of dollars on the line, so shopping around is definitely recommended in that scenario.
How to pick a hotel site – price isn’t everything
Price matters, but you also need to think about everything the hotel site is offering you:
- Pricing structure: Do they include fees and taxes? Is it listed in Canadian dollars? Can you get extra discounts?
- Cancellation policies: If you book through a 3rd party, do you forgo your right to cancel?
- Other perks: Does the hotel site reward you with included perks like a dining credit?
- Mobile app: Does the site also have a mobile app to keep track of your reservation?
Pros and cons of the top hotel websites in Canada
With these in mind, take a look at the 16 biggest hotel websites in Canada for booking stays.
Trivago
Pros
- Prices are automatically listed in CAD
- Compares major hotel booking websites for the best prices
- Highly-rated app
Cons
- Listed prices are per night instead of the entire stay, but does at least show the total in smaller font underneath
- No mention of taxes on the main search page
Booking.com
Pros
- Prices are automatically listed in CAD
- A huge list of filter categories so you can easily narrow your search, including specific neighbourhoods and landmarks
- The listed price is for the entire stay, not just per night. They also specify the tax charge under the price. We found it the most transparent site for pricing
- Well-rated app
Cons
- The initial results are filtered by "our top picks," an unclear criteria, rather than price or location
HotelsCombined.com
Pros
- Compares the biggest hotel sites, including several of the ones listed in this article
- Prices are automatically listed in CAD
- Lists the specific neighbourhood where the hotel is located
- Highly-rated app
Cons
- No mention of taxes on the search results page
Agoda.com
Pros
- Prices are automatically listed in CAD
- Option to search for "Homestays" (essentially Airbnb-type properties) as well as hotels
- Gives you the option for "Secret deals" which are significantly discounted prices
- Fantastic app reviews
Cons
- Lists nightly rates instead of the price of the entire stay, makes you feel like you're getting a better deal than you are
- No mention of the taxes you'll pay until you're at the reservations stage
TripAdvisor
Pros
- Shows lowest-priced dates in the calendar tool
- Compares many booking sites
- Prices are automatically listed in CAD
- Well-rated app
Cons
- Doesn't let you search for a specific hotel on the initial search page, have to go to results first then use a filter
- Lists nightly rates instead of the full cost
- Doesn't list or even mention taxes
Hotels.com
Pros
- Prices automatically listed in CAD
- Hotels.com Rewards lets you earn free nights simply by staying at hotels. Stay 10 nights, get 1 free
- Note on the search results page admits that what the site is paid affects the sort order of its results – refreshing honesty
- Top-rated app
Cons
- Taxes aren't listed or even mentioned on the main search page
- "Secret Price available" is advertised, but only those who sign in can see what it is
Priceline
Pros
- Option for express deals – book an undisclosed heavily-discounted hotel in a specified area. You'll only be shown what hotel it is after you've paid for the booking
- Lists private rentals for Airbnb-like rooms
- Priceline app has thousands of happy reviewers
Cons
- The listed price is per night, but it does show the total underneath in smaller font
- Taxes and fees aren't listed or even mentioned in main search results
- The search results page looks very busy, making it hard to focus on specific details
Trip.com
Pros
- Calendar tool shows holidays, so you can be wary of increased prices
- You can collect Trip Coins for future discounts
- Options for prepaying online or to pay upon arrival at your hotel
- Highly-rated app
Cons
- Slightly longer load times than other sites
- Listed prices are also per night and without tax
- "Secret Deals" available, but only for those who sign up and login
Hotwire
Pros
- Offers "Hot Rate" hotels – book an undisclosed hotel room in a specified area for a heavily-discounted price. You'll only be told what hotel it is after you've paid – although a dropdown arrow does show 3 or 4 options of what it could be
- Map view makes it easy to search within certain neighbourhoods
- App has high star ratings, but not as high as its competitors
Cons
- Prices are in USD by default. You can change the currency in the top bar
- It's not easy to search for a specific hotel, although it is possible
HotelTonight
Pros
- Prices are automatically listed in CAD
- Specializes in last-minute deals, so you can find some great prices if you're in a hurry
- Highly-rated app
Cons
- Because it's a last-minute deal website, it only has hotels for a couple months in advance
- Absolutely no filter options for the results page
- The list of hotel options is very limited
Kayak
Pros
- Prices are automatically listed in CAD
- Compares prices of several other hotel booking sites as well
- Calendar view has a legend for showing dates when prices are cheaper, average, or higher than normal
Cons
- No mention of taxes on the main search page
Google Hotels
Pros
- Prices are automatically listed in CAD
- Compares a lot of the biggest hotel websites
- After selecting a hotel, various details gathered from Google are listed, such as details on the hotel's pool or spa, nearby transit routes, and even a location score
Cons
- Sometimes, what was shown in the search results was cheaper than what was actually available once we clicked through
- The listed price is per night with no mention of taxes
- No apps available
Expedia
Pros
- Prices are automatically listed in CAD
- Airbnb-type options are available too if you add this as a filter
- Mentions taxes on the initial search results page
- Note on the search results page admits that what the site is paid affects the sort order of its results
Cons
- The prices listed are per night, but it does indicate the total underneath in smaller font
- The Android app has a mediocre rating
Hopper
Pros
- Has a popular app that offers a colour-coded calendar which shows dates with the cheapest prices
- Offers a referral bonus
- Specifies which deals are non-refundable and which have free cancellation
Cons
- VIP customer service is only offered on the app, not in a browser/on desktop
- An unimpressive number of filter options
Skyscanner
Pros
- Excellent filters to improve your searching
- Mentions when taxes and fees are not included on the search page, with option to toggle on
- Can search for specific hotels
Cons
- Aggregates from third-parties, some of whom list misleadingly low prices
- Had to click twice on the calendar to select check-in and check-out dates separately
Momondo
Pros
- Option to include fees and taxes in the search filters
- Lists third-party and hidden fees (like cleaning), where available
- No exorbitant rates above the average in our testing
- Price shows total stay in the search results
Cons
- Doesn’t have the lowest rates
Booking directly with a hotel vs. using a hotel comparison booking site: Which is best?
Unless you’re getting a special deal on a hotel comparison site (like Black Friday), booking directly through the hotel provider is usually the cheapest option because the hotel doesn’t have to pay commission to the third-party service for direct bookings. In other words, those savings are passed on to you.
Hotels may also offer loyalty programs that provide special discounts. And memberships are usually free. So, if you have a favorite hotel chain, you could potentially earn free nights and member rates if you join a loyalty program.
The downside of booking this way? Booking directly through a hotel is often non-refundable. So that is something to consider before booking through the hotel.
In summary: Check the direct hotel site before booking on a comparison site to ensure you’re getting the best price.
FAQ
What is the best website to book hotels in Canada?
Booking.com is one of the most popular hotel booking sites in Canada. It has a good user experience, wide selection of stays (including private rentals), and prices that are close to the original price.
Does booking.com work in Canada?
Yes, booking.com is a popular hotel booking site in Canada. Make sure the currency is set to Canadian dollars while you’re browsing hotels.
Can you use Expedia in Canada?
Yes, Expedia.ca has a wide range of hotel offerings in Canada. It’s an aggregator, so it has a large list of hotels, prices, and filters. However, Expedia may not always offer the cheapest rates.
What are the best hotel websites in Canada?
The best hotel websites in Canada include booking.com and Expedia.ca. We like Expedia’s app, but Trivago is a close second. Booking.com has pretty low prices and a great selection. Try HotelTonight for last-minute reservations.
Do Trivago Canada hotels have the best prices?
Trivago is a top-rated site for comparing hotel prices, but the prices aren’t always the lowest available. If you're eyeing a specific hotel, it's always wise to contact them directly about rates to see if they can beat what Trivago has listed. You can read more pros and cons of Trivago here.
What are the best hotel apps in Canada for booking stays?
The best hotel apps for booking stays in Canada include Priceline, HotelTonight, Hopper, and Agoda. App Store and Play Store show high star ratings for these apps. You can use the desktop versions, too, of course.
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