Hostelworld

Currently I don't know of any other service that exists which centralizes listings and reservations for hostels, so Hostelworld has definitely been waaayyy more helpful than any other hotel/accommodation booking site. Even on other sites that do list hostels, usually the listings are few, prices high, and availability limited. I like being able to look for results based on price range but also via distance to a city center (via kms or via a map). The Hostelworld criteria for rating hostels you've stayed in, coupled with the brief reviews, have also been very useful for getting a good idea of what kind of place you're looking at, apart from official writeups and photos. While there are times you can get a slightly better deal for a particular hostel by booking directly on that place's own website, Hostelworld also frequently offers promos for discounts on booking or free cancellation, which evens things out if you frequently book hostels.

Why hostels via Hostelworld instead of a place through AirBnB? I realized that as a solo traveler, it is hard to get an accommodation for a comparable price and comparable value if you're by yourself. If you want something comparably cheap, you will probably end up with a room in someone's actual home residence, but in my experience, rooms like that have been rather homely, plus you can't just arrive/leave whenever you want, which can be tricky given that you don't always get flights/trains at "reasonable" hours. I'd book on AirBnB if I was traveling with at least one other friend or was with a friend group because then you could get your own place, probably one spruced up nicely for renting out and separate from the owner's residence, so no problem with privacy or coming and going at odd hours.

We want to write this as a warning to anyone who books here. We booked our stay here through HOSTELWORLD yesterday. We were presented with a price of roughly £200. After paying, we immediately (within 10 minutes) were billed for close to £1100. These were both taken directly from our bank account. It turns out that HOSTEL WORLD collects some sort of commission, and that they only displayed the commission price, and not the actual total. We were charged 2 payments, one from Hostel World, and another from Wombats.

We immediately contacted both Wombat & Hostelworld (within 15 minutes of booking). Wombat has ignored our emails and are not responding whatsoever. Hostel World basically said "Too bad, too sad. Should have read the fine print".

After reading a little bit more, it turns out that Hostel World is known for this scam. They display a price very different when you are booking, but then put the actual price very small and hidden. If you look of "HOSTEL WORLD SCAM" on google, you will find many people discussing this same issue. Please see the attached images I have included.

As for Wombat's, they are complacent in this scam as well. They have access to the same knowledge that we do in regards to Hostel World's less than ethical system, and still are registered with them. Wombat's could simply say that they are not affiliated with them, however my credit card was charged by WOMBATS own internal system within 15 minutes of making this reservation. This means that they are working directly with Hostel World.

Wombats is fully aware of this system, and yet they still continue to affiliate and pay commissions to Hostel World.

The fact that they ignore my emails is also telling of this situation, in that it must not be surprising to them.

Hostel World is a commission collecting 3rd party company that will charge your credit card immediately upon booking for amounts that don't necessarily match their advertising rates.

I guess Wombats could comment here saying it's better to book directly with them, which is probably the case, but this does not address the fact that they continue to work with a company that is specifically deceptive in it's core business model.

Again, please google search "Hostel World Scam" and be sure to read through the reviews. Also be sure to read through all of the negative before booking.

Also be aware that Wombats does not message you back in regards to this.

I have attached screenshots of the the prices that are listed on the their website, and the actual price I paid.

Beware of this.

1.)repetition:I booked via hostelworld a hotel/hostel in Honolulu,after a long procedure which I described in an earlier review did I want to cancel.I had seen more negatice rezensions that positive after looking again.2.) After 4 days of contact and treals+errors am I still unable to cancel.I get always with their system the answer:" we received your request".Many times different people respond but until now am I unable to cancel. Their support does not help at all and untilnow after 10 requests did I not receive any real answer or cancellation.In 1 review did I read that " hostelworld" did not return the money.So I must add it looks like "hostelworld" is not really capable of helping or solving the problemand a question" not interested"? Every answer looks like a response but it does not really refer to my problem.Additionall their side say" Sorry we are not able because our side does not function!" Question: why does hostelworld has a support info when it does not help at all? I cannot add any images ecause the download function does not transfer to this side. I worked today many hours, I am really upset because it cannot be only me-it looks like the support of hostelworld is not efficient,sorry to say that.

Response is good and efficient. However, there should be a centralised helpline for all the hostels maybe country wise

Hotel Taj Plaza is on a heart throbing location just 600 mts away from Taj Mahal. The view of Taj from the deluxe rooms and the terrace is magnificent.
No Hotel symbolizes the grandeur and hospitality of the historic city of the Taj Mahal more than Hotel Taj Plaza. Set in a prime location and on a walking distance from the symbol of love Taj Mahal. This hotel is a familiar and distinctive landmark. Its architectural contours set it apart from the glass and concrete conformity of other hotels.
Hotel Taj Plaza is well Standard 'Budget' Hotel in Agra city at prime location near The Taj Mahal. Hotel Taj Plaza equipped with all modern luxurious Hospitalities. It has 5 minutes walking distance (Only 600 meter) from the great TAJ MAHAL. Hotel Taj Plaza offers 24-hour elegant & panoramic view of the TAJ MAHAL & also a real & fantastic view of the TAJ MAHAL in sunrise, sunset & moonlight from the Hotel Taj Plaza Rooms & Roof top Restaurant. The special Taj touch has further enhances the intrinsic advantages of the Hotel.

Hostel world quoted to pay 39myr at the property and I had to pay 50 MYR.
Couldn't contact any customer support at the time to discuss the problem.