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Prague Hotel Deals - save money while supporting local businesses
Here's my latest Prague hotel discount and price comparison. Booking direct with the hotel can often save you significant money. And you'll support local business more directly.
Please note, this page gets updated periodically with recent offers. But, I can't guarantee complete up-to-the-minute accuracy.
Nor, can I promise that this is the best deal out there for this hotel.
Price Comparison Breakdown
The following are example dates and details of each offer. You'll see current screenshots from three listings, including Expedia, Booking.com, and the hotel website.
Details of Price Comparison
- Date: 2 April 2025 (shared in my newsletter)
- Example reservation dates: 14 - 18 May 2025, 4 nights
- Hotel: Appia Hotel Residences, Sporkova 3/322, 118 00 Prague 1, Malá Strana.
- All rates below include breakfast.
Want to understand why booking direct matters?
👉 Visit my Booking Direct Hub for tips, perks, and hotel picks.
Expedia
Expedia's best price is $841. The room has a king sized bed and includes all taxes and fees. This is a non-refundable rate. If you need to cancel for any reason, you won't get a refund.
They also have a slightly larger room with an outdoor terrace for $928. Again, it's non-refundable.
Booking.com
Booking.com has a non-refundable rate of $845 and a free cancellation rate of $937. For some reason, their site shows this room with a queen bed. I think that's a mistake.
They also show the room with terrace, similar to Expedia. That one is $933 (non-refundable) $1034 with free cancellation.
All taxes are included.
Appia Hotel Residences
The same Deluxe room is $660 if you book direct. With additional city taxes, the total is $677. These are fully refundable. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start date.
The room with the terrace is $747. It's also fully refundable.
Appia Residences has three special offers that are ongoing. For today's comparison, you'll have to click the right arrows on their Special offer page above to get to the third offer.
Price Comparison at a Glance
| Source | Room Type | Total Price | Refund Policy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expedia | Deluxe Room | $841 | Non-refundable | Includes breakfast, king bed |
| Booking.com | Deluxe Room | $845 / $937 | Non-refundable / Free cancellation | Queen bed listed (likely an error) |
| Appia Direct | Deluxe Room | $677 | Fully refundable | Book on hotel site — includes breakfast |
Conclusion
Obviously, there are huge benefits for booking direct with Appia. If you book directly with Appia, you save money and get the option of cancelling at a much cheaper rate.
I don't know if you can save by being a Genius member on Booking.com, or if Expedia has a partner savings program.
I'm guessing that they will try to match the offer of the hotel whenever possible. But, be aware, that first offer for Booking.com is through one of their 'partner sites' - whatever that means.
Lastly, I would argue that guests who book direct are always preferred by a hotel. But not just because of the savings. Good hotels want to build relationships with their guests. And those guests may be given a little preferred treatment.
Free upgrade or additional perk? For customers boking directly, that's more likely.
Lastly, I know of at least 3 hotels in Prague that offer surprise gifts for guests that book direct. This is not listed on their websites and I've been asked not to disclose it. So, you never know!
FAQ
Is it always cheaper to book direct?
Is it always cheaper to book direct?
Not always, but often. I would say the majority of hotels do offer some lowest rate guarantee or at least a benefit that online travel agencies cannot. You may find better prices specifically when looking at flexible rates (i.e. free cancellation).
Is Booking.com ever a better option?
Is Booking.com ever a better option?
Yes, absolutely. Sometimes, especially if you're using Genius discounts or bundling with flights or other services. But it depends on your priorities. If you want more flexibility, perks, or direct hotel communication, then Booking.com may not be for you.
Do hotels treat direct guests better?
Do hotels treat direct guests better?
Often, yes. When you book direct, hotels don’t have to pay commission to a third party, so you’re more valuable to them. That can mean better service, more flexibility, or even a room upgrade. You also deal with the hotel directly if something goes wrong, which usually makes it easier to fix.
Why are prices the same or sometimes higher on hotel websites?
Why are prices the same or sometimes higher on hotel websites?
I know, it seems crazy right? There are number of possibilities. Short answer: hotels often use third-party software on their site. These take an additional commission on each booking. Or, maybe the hotel is running ads and wants to cover that difference.
What can you do? Contact the hotel and ask for the best current rate. Tell them that you expected a lower rate on their site. You can also look around their website for a Special Offers or Promotions page. Sometimes this takes a little digging. Lastly, check their Facebook page and look for deals or promo codes there. If their page is posting regularly, ask in a comment or dm them.
Why do hotels prefer you book direct?
Why do hotels prefer you book direct?
Because they pay 15–20% commission on every third-party booking. Booking direct helps them keep more of the earnings, which supports their staff, property, and sustainability.
Do hotels offer perks for booking direct?
Do hotels offer perks for booking direct?
Often, yes. Some offer loyalty points, better room selection, or more flexible cancellation. Booking direct also means you’re less likely to get “lost in the system” if something goes wrong.
Why I'm sharing Prague hotel discounts
In 2017, I was managing a small hotel in Prague. And I saw a huge influx in business coming from large online agencies.
At the same time, the small local companies that we had cooperated with for years were drying up.
Then, during the winter, I started seeing broad price increases in accommodation across the city. Hotels were trying to compensate for their ties to these large agencies.
Because commission on every reservation is at least 15-20%. Secondly, taxes on every reservation are up to 12%.
Therefore, hotels can lose at least 30% or more on each reservation. That's a hefty chunk.
And that's before calculating other expenses. Eventually, guests pay for these costs.
Fast forward to today, most hotels have become absolutely dependent on these booking sites. And there's almost no local travel agency presence.
Honestly, I'm not here to advocate for hotels or hate on booking sites. It's a complex situation, and I don't pretend to know all the details.
But, I do want to support small businesses that struggle under this system.
Prague has a wonderful collection of small hotels. From romantic and hidden to cozy and historical - there are so many unique places to fall in love with.
And if you're like me, you crave this kind of accommodation. You value something unique and independent. And you likely want a place that adds value and atmosphere to your stay - especially if it's your first trip to Prague.
Why not support those small businesses with direct bookings?
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