21/01/2025
Dear guests, other hotels and all followers,
Announcement: We have decided to terminate our relationship with Agoda, effective immediately. We gave them opportunities to remedy the many issues, play fair and provide some real support. However, they choose to accept termination.
Our experience and thereafter advice here is entirely based on real occurrences in an "opinion piece" i.e. blog-like post.
Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best booking platforms to use, alternatively hotels.com or trip.com > ensuring a platform that cares about both the customer (hotel guest) and the hotel. Alternatively, you can book us directly, and/or book/review us on Google or TripAdvisor.
The issues we experienced for 18 months with Agoda include:
1. Duplicate properties (fake ones) they wouldn't remove until around 50 complaints over 14 months.
2. Booking rooms that are not available (we manage all rooms via a professional channel manager).
3. Higher OTA commissions and greedy "growth programs" that strip 40% or more (difference between what the guest pays and the hotel receives) before any marketing options which can strip the net room rate up to 30% more!
4. Delayed payment to the hotel i.e. 30+ days post guest checkout (far too long, in our opinion).
5. They pull listings from elsewhere, meaning added commissions to others listings on their platform, sold as their listings (confusing, mixed images, mixed room descriptions and impossible to accurately price).
We feel that the above spells incredibly bad business practice and is the basis of our decision. We provide this information transparently and truthfully because we believe it's important that travellers as well as other properties are aware, have a voice and are not restricted in sharing experiences.
We further note that we've had no issues that were not easily or quickly resolved with any other OTA. Guest feedback has also been negative lately re Agoda with customers complaining to us about falsely confirmed bookings (properties then not accepting the guest) this high season, resulting in an increase of walk-in's.
The platform you choose to book your hotel with is your choice, and it's a valuable one to make. Onwards with the great platforms that continue to do right by their guests and their hotel customers. We're a hotel that strives to provide the best possible support and services (above our three star rating), and thus deserving of exceptional reviews.
Have a great day and see you again on your next holiday 😀 please remember to book in advance, or for longer stays (especially during low season) please contact us directly for a deal. We're available on WhatsApp (from any number worldwide at zero cost) +66 945-911-161
