Honest takes from real reviews · Budget stays, Chiang Rai · Updated 2026
10 Best Budget Hotels in Chiang Rai Real Value We've Reviewed
Ten wallet-friendly stays in Chiang Rai we've reviewed in depth, every one scoring 8.0+ — from Mercy Hostel with a pool right in the centre from ฿250 and family-run guesthouses and B&Bs within a walk of the action, to a 9.6-rated boutique from ฿1,100 and a mountain boutique up at Doi Mae Salong. Prices start around ฿250–1,100/night.
🏞️ Can you really do Chiang Rai on a budget — and which area gives the best value?
Chiang Rai is easier to do on a budget than most people expect — well-rated stays in the hundreds-to-low-thousands-of-baht range are everywhere, from a hostel with its own swimming pool to family-run guesthouses, a B&B that throws in free breakfast and bikes, and city boutiques that cost far less than you'd guess. · The key to doing Chiang Rai on a budget is matching the area to your trip, because each corner has a different mood and price point — the city centre around the clock tower, night bazaar and walking street is where the best budget value sits, since you can walk to food and sights and stays come at every price. Tha Sut and the city edge is bungalow-resort country, with pools at low prices but you'll want a car. Doi Mae Salong is the mountain zone, cool air and tea-plantation views. And Mae Sai and Chiang Saen to the north is where you'll find quiet riverside bungalows. · This guide gathers 10 budget stays in Chiang Rai we've reviewed in depth, every one scoring 8.0 or higher — all drawn from reading real guest reviews, with the honest upsides and trade-offs of each, prices compared across 3 booking sites, and direct booking links throughout.
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Chiang Rai has no metro. Getting around means rental cars, rented scooters, taxis, songthaews or Grab (limited). · From Mae Fah Luang Airport (CEI) it's about 15 minutes into town. Downtown around the clock tower, night bazaar and walking street is walkable, but Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), Wat Rong Suea Ten and the Golden Triangle all need a car. · The budget areas in this guide: City Centre — clock tower, night bazaar and walking street, easiest for strolling and eating and where budget value is best (Mercy Hostel, Le Patta, Baanmalai, Na-Rak-O, Homey Dormy, Diamond Park Inn, Baan Bua) · Tha Sut / city edge — bungalow resorts with pools and rice-field views, quieter but a car helps (Kaeo Fa Sai) · Doi Mae Salong (Mae Fa Luang district) — a mountain boutique with tea-plantation views and cool air; the road up is winding, so drive in daylight (Hongfu) · Mae Sai — a riverside bungalow with Doi Nang Non views near the border, a fair way from the city (Ban Naam) · For out-of-town and mountain stays a rented car or scooter is worth it, since public transport is scarce.
💬 Most reviewed in the set, 2,970🏊 Small pool, gym and shared kitchen🪙 Dorms from ฿250 · private Studios too📍 City centre, near the clock tower and walking street
📍 1005/22 Jetyod Road, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai
The best value in this set starts at around ฿250/night yet scores a 9.2 from 2,970 reviews — the most of any stay here — Mercy Hostel is a city-centre hostel near the clock tower with something hostels at this price rarely offer: a small swimming pool, a gym and a shared kitchen, all at dorm rates. Dorm beds come with privacy curtains, plugs, reading lights and lockers. · Real reviews praise the cleanliness, the facilities that punch above the price, and the friendly vibe, plus a location within a walk of the night bazaar and walking street. · Honest trade-offs: it's a hostel, so the dorms mean sharing space, and the private Studios are limited and fill fast. · Best for backpackers, solo travellers and budget-minded guests who want more than a plain dorm.
💡 Tip: Want more quiet and privacy? Book a Studio, still cheaper than most hotels. · Use the pool and shared kitchen to save on food on longer stays. · Book beds ahead in the cool season (Nov–Feb), the busy stretch when it fills fast.
👍 Pros
✓ Best value in the set from ฿250 · most reviewed, 2,970, at 9.2
✓ Small pool, gym and shared kitchen — above the dorm price (from reviews)
🏆 Highest score in the set, 9.6 from 783 reviews🛏️ Entry rooms roomy at ~32 sqm🏊 Swimming pool🚶 City centre, walk to the walking street and clock tower
📍 610 Phaholyothin Road, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai
A 4-star boutique with the highest score in this set — 9.6 from 783 reviews — yet from just ฿1,100 · Le Patta Hotel sits on Phaholyothin Road in Wiang, a walk from the walking street and clock tower. Superior rooms start roomy at around 32 sqm, and there's a pool plus a complimentary non-alcoholic minibar. · Real reviews praise the cleanliness, the attentive service and the value of a boutique at this level for the price, making it one of the best-value stays in the city. · Honest trade-offs: it's popular, so it fills fast in the cool season and over long weekends, and some rooms don't have an open view. · Best for couples and families who want a smart city-centre boutique while keeping the budget in check.
💡 Tip: The Superior is roomy and good value already; step up to a Deluxe only if you want a pool/garden view. · It's a popular hotel — book ahead in the cool season (Nov–Feb) and on long weekends. · Central location makes it easy to walk out for the walking street and evening food.
👍 Pros
✓ Highest score in the set, 9.6 from 783 reviews — credible
✓ A 4-star boutique from just ฿1,100 — better than its price
✓ Entry rooms roomy at ~32 sqm · has a swimming pool
✓ City centre, walk to the walking street and clock tower (from reviews)
👎 Things to note
✗ Popular — fills fast in the cool season and on long weekends
✗ Some rooms don't have an open view (from reviews)
——— Next stay ———
3
Family-run guesthouse · ~15 rooms · walk to the night bazaar
Baanmalai Guest House
★ 9.3/10⭐⭐9.3 · 86 reviews · family-run guesthouse in the centre
🏡 Family-run, warm and friendly🛏️ Standard rooms ~20–22 sqm, AC, fridge, TV🚶 Walk to the night bazaar🪙 Private rooms from just ฿600
📍 32/2 Moo 18, Soi Sanpanao, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai
A small, family-run guesthouse of around 15 rooms in the centre, scoring 9.3 with private rooms from just ฿600 — Baanmalai Guest House sits on Soi Sanpanao in Wiang, within a walk of the night bazaar. Standard rooms run around 20–22 sqm with AC, a fridge, a TV and an en-suite bathroom. · Real reviews praise the warm, family-run care and clean rooms, plus a central spot that's easy to explore from. · Honest trade-offs: it's a small guesthouse with basic facilities and no pool, and review numbers are still modest (86). · Best for couples and small families who want a clean private room in the centre on a light budget.
💡 Tip: The Standard Queen is good value if you're prioritising location and cleanliness. · Travelling as a family? The Family Room brings the per-head cost down. · It's a small place, so flag your arrival time ahead for a smoother check-in.
👍 Pros
✓ Family-run, warm and friendly, 9.3 (from reviews)
✓ Clean private rooms from just ฿600 in the centre
✓ Standard rooms ~20–22 sqm with AC, fridge, TV, en-suite
✓ Walk to the night bazaar and the sights
👎 Things to note
✗ Small guesthouse, basic facilities, no pool
✗ Review numbers still modest (86) vs others in the set
——— Next stay ———
4
Family-run boutique B&B · 12 rooms · near Central Plaza
A small, family-run boutique B&B of 12 rooms scoring 9.3 from ฿700, with free breakfast, bikes and parking thrown in — Homey Dormy Chiangrai is in the Rop Wiang area, about a 10-minute walk from Central Plaza. Superior rooms start roomy at around 30 sqm with AC, a fridge and a hot shower. · Real reviews praise the friendly owners, the clean, spacious rooms and the freebies that keep costs down. · Honest trade-offs: with just 12 rooms it fills fast, and it's a way from the walking street and clock tower, so you'll bike or drive in. · Best for couples and families who value warm, personal hosting and want breakfast built in on a light budget.
💡 Tip: Borrow the house bikes to ride into the centre and save on transport. · Use the free parking if you've driven. · Only 12 rooms — book ahead, especially in the cool season.
👍 Pros
✓ Free breakfast, bikes and parking — real savings
✓ Family-run and friendly, 9.3 (from reviews)
✓ Superior rooms start roomy at ~30 sqm, clean
✓ 10-minute walk to Central Plaza
👎 Things to note
✗ Only 12 rooms — fills fast in the cool season
✗ A way from the walking street/clock tower — bike or drive in (from reviews)
——— Next stay ———
5
Budget boutique resort · city centre · near the night bazaar
Na-Rak-O Resort
★ 9.1/10⭐⭐⭐9.1 · 43 reviews · cute budget boutique in the centre
🎨 Cute city-centre boutique · from ฿600
📍 Sanpanard Soi 2/1 · near the old bus station and night bazaar
🎨 Cute, colourful décor📍 Central, near the old bus station and night bazaar🛏️ Private AC rooms from ฿600💛 Small and friendly
📍 56 Sanpanard Soi 2/1, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai
A small, cutely decorated boutique resort of 24 rooms in the centre, scoring 9.1 from ฿600 — Na-Rak-O Resort sits in the Sanpanard area near the old bus station and night bazaar, with bright, colourful AC rooms and easy onward transport. · Real reviews praise the cute décor and the central, walkable location for the price. · Honest trade-offs: it's a small place with basic facilities and no pool, and review numbers are still modest (43). · Best for couples and photo-minded travellers on a light budget who want a cute room in the centre.
💡 Tip: The Standard is good value if you're prioritising location. · Travelling as three? The Triple Room brings the per-head cost down. · It's near the old bus station, handy if you're arriving or leaving by coach.
👍 Pros
✓ Cute, colourful décor, 9.1 (from reviews)
✓ Private AC rooms from just ฿600 in the centre
✓ Near the old bus station and night bazaar, easy onward transport
✓ Small and friendly, good for photos
👎 Things to note
✗ Small place, basic facilities, no pool
✗ Review numbers still modest (43) vs others in the set
——— Next stay ———
6
Countryside Bungalow Resort 3★ · Tha Sut · with a pool
Kaeo Fa Sai Resort
★ 8.8/10⭐⭐⭐8.8 · 120 reviews · bungalows with a pool, rice-field and mountain views
🏊 Bungalows with a rice-field-view pool, quiet · from ฿900
📍 Tha Sut, near Mae Fah Luang University · city edge (a car helps)
🏊 Pool with rice-field and mountain views🌾 Quiet, countryside setting🛏️ Standard rooms with a private balcony🎓 Near Mae Fah Luang University
📍 298/49 Moo 5, Ban Bo Thong, Tha Sut, Mueang Chiang Rai
A 3-star bungalow resort out in Tha Sut, near Mae Fah Luang University, scoring 8.8 from 120 reviews from ฿900 — Kaeo Fa Sai Resort is built around a pool that opens onto rice fields and mountains, with Standard rooms that have a private balcony, AC, TV, hot water and free Wi-Fi. · Real reviews praise the quiet, natural countryside setting and the value. · Honest trade-offs: it's on the city edge in Tha Sut, a way from the walking street and night bazaar, so you'll want a car, and facilities are basic for the price. · Best for self-drivers and anyone after a quiet, pool-side bungalow with rice-field views on a light budget.
💡 Tip: It's on the city edge — a rented car or scooter is worth it for getting around and into town. · Pick a Deluxe or bungalow for a fuller garden/rice-field view. · Get up early for the rice fields and mountains, the highlight here.
👍 Pros
✓ Pool with rice-field and mountain views, from ฿900
🏊 Swimming pool🅿️ On-site parking📍 Near the clock tower, city centre💰 Budget in-town resort
📍 74/6 Moo 18, Rob Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai
A 3-star in-town resort near the clock tower with a pool from just ฿1,100 — Diamond Park Inn Chiangrai Resort scores 8.7 from 112 reviews. · Its draw is a central location near the clock tower and the main sights, plus a swimming pool and on-site parking that suits self-drivers. · Real reviews praise the value, the clean rooms and the location. · Honest trade-offs: facilities are basic for the 3-star price and review numbers are still modest (112). · Best for self-drivers who want a central stay with a pool and easy parking.
💡 Tip: Good pick if you're driving Chiang Rai — there's parking and it's near the clock tower. · The Deluxe is roomier with a garden/pool view, a small step up from the Superior.
👍 Pros
✓ Pool and on-site parking from just ฿1,100
✓ Central location near the clock tower and the main sights
✓ Clean rooms, 8.7 — good value for a central 3-star (from reviews)
✓ Suits self-drivers who want easy parking
👎 Things to note
✗ Facilities are basic for the 3-star price
✗ Review numbers still modest (112) vs others in the set
——— Next stay ———
8
Boutique Resort 3★ · Doi Mae Salong · tea-plantation views
⛰️ Up on Doi Mae Salong, cool air🍃 Tea-plantation and Santikhiri village views🏞️ Quiet, natural setting💰 Mountain boutique from ฿1,100
📍 133 Moo 1, Mae Salong Nok, Mae Fa Luang, Chiang Rai
A 3-star boutique resort up on Doi Mae Salong, scoring 8.5 from 273 reviews from ฿1,100 — Hongfu Boutique Resort sits in Santikhiri village, with tea-plantation views and cool mountain air. Entry rooms are fan-cooled (the mountain air does the rest). · Real reviews praise the views and the quiet, natural setting at a price that's accessible for a mountain stay. · Honest trade-offs: it's up on Doi Mae Salong, a way from the city, the road up is winding (drive in daylight in a sound vehicle), and facilities are simple as mountain stays go. · Best for anyone who wants to stay up in the hills among the tea plantations and mist on a light budget.
💡 Tip: The road up to Mae Salong is winding — if self-driving, go in daylight in a sound vehicle. · Come in the cool season for crisp air and morning mist, the highlight. · Pack a warm layer, as mountain nights get cold.
👍 Pros
✓ Up on Doi Mae Salong with tea-plantation and Santikhiri village views
✓ Cool air, quiet and natural setting (from reviews)
✓ A mountain boutique from just ฿1,100 · 273 reviews
✓ Great for escaping the city into the hills on a budget
👎 Things to note
✗ Up in the mountains, far from the city, winding road — drive in daylight
✗ A mountain stay with simple facilities (from reviews)
——— Next stay ———
9
Budget Guest House 2★ · Jetyod, old town · near the bus station
🪙 Private rooms from ฿400🤫 Quiet, homely garden setting🚍 Near the bus station, easy onward travel🌀 Fan and AC rooms both available
📍 879/2 Jetyod Road, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai
A budget guesthouse in the Jetyod old-town area with private rooms from just ฿400, scoring 8.3 from 258 reviews — Baan Bua Guest House is quiet and homely in its garden setting, near the bus station for easy onward travel, with both a cheapest-of-all fan room and AC rooms. · Real reviews praise the cleanliness, the friendly owners and the value. · Honest trade-offs: the cheapest fan rooms get warm in the hot season, facilities are basic, and there's no pool. · Best for backpackers and budget-minded travellers who want a quiet private room over a dorm.
💡 Tip: On the tightest budget go for a fan room, but a little extra for an AC room is more comfortable in the hot season. · It's near the bus station, handy if you're travelling in and out by coach.
👍 Pros
✓ Private rooms from just ฿400 — good value for an in-town room
🌊 Bungalows over a lake⛰️ Doi Nang Non views🏕️ Camping zone available🤫 Quiet, Mae Sai area
📍 343 Moo 3, Pong Ngam, Mae Sai, Chiang Rai
A 3-star riverside bungalow resort in the Mae Sai area, scoring 8.0 from 120 reviews from ฿1,000 — Ban Naam Resort is built around a lake with bungalows over the water and Doi Nang Non views, plus a camping zone for tent-minded travellers. · Real reviews praise the quiet, natural waterside setting. · Honest trade-offs: it's in Pong Ngam, Mae Sai, near the border and a fair way from the city of Chiang Rai, so you'll need a car, and facilities are basic. · Best for self-drivers touring Mae Sai and Doi Nang Non who want a quiet riverside bungalow on a light budget.
💡 Tip: It's in the Mae Sai area, a way from the city — a rented car is worth it for getting around. · Tent-minded? Ask about the lakeside camping zone and book ahead. · It's a handy base for Mae Sai, Tham Luang and Doi Nang Non.
👍 Pros
✓ Bungalows over a lake with Doi Nang Non views, from ฿1,000
✓ Quiet, natural waterside setting (from reviews)
✓ Camping zone available for tent-minded travellers
✓ Good base for self-drivers touring Mae Sai and Doi Nang Non
👎 Things to note
✗ In Mae Sai near the border, a fair way from the city — a car is needed
✗ Facilities are basic (from reviews)
——— End of list ———
Compare all 10 budget hotels in Chiang Rai 2026
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Hotel
Stars
Score
Price/night
Location
Highlight
1
Mercy Hostel
⭐⭐
9.2
฿250
📍 City centre · near the clock tower
Best value + most reviewed · has a pool
2
Le Patta Hotel Chiang Rai
⭐⭐⭐⭐
9.6
฿1,100
📍 City centre · Phaholyothin Road
Highest score in the set · value 4-star boutique
3
Baanmalai Guest House
⭐⭐
9.3
฿600
📍 City centre · walk to the night bazaar
Family-run guesthouse · budget private rooms
4
Homey Dormy Chiangrai
⭐⭐⭐
9.3
฿700
📍 Rop Wiang · near Central Plaza
Free breakfast, bikes and parking
5
Na-Rak-O Resort
⭐⭐⭐
9.1
฿600
📍 Central · near the night bazaar
Cute boutique · budget private AC rooms
6
Kaeo Fa Sai Resort
⭐⭐⭐
8.8
฿900
📍 Tha Sut · city edge
Bungalows with a rice-field-view pool
7
Diamond Park Inn Chiangrai Resort
⭐⭐⭐
8.7
฿1,100
📍 Near the clock tower · city centre
Pool + parking in the centre
8
Hongfu Boutique Resort Doi Maesalong
⭐⭐⭐
8.5
฿1,100
📍 Doi Mae Salong · Mae Fa Luang
Mountain boutique · tea-plantation views
9
Baan Bua Guest House
⭐⭐
8.3
฿400
📍 Jetyod, old town · near the bus station
Cheapest private rooms · quiet garden
10
Ban Naam Resort
⭐⭐⭐
8.0
฿1,000
📍 Mae Sai · Doi Nang Non views
Riverside bungalows, quiet
How to pick the right budget stay in Chiang Rai for your trip
🎒
Lowest budget, solo or backpacking
→ Mercy Hostel dorms from ฿250, a hostel with a pool, gym and shared kitchen, scoring 9.2 · or Baan Bua Guest House private rooms from ฿400, quiet in its garden, near the bus station
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A clean private room in the centre on a light budget
→ Baanmalai Guest House ฿600, a family-run guesthouse a walk from the night bazaar · Na-Rak-O Resort ฿600, a cute boutique near the night bazaar · or Homey Dormy Chiangrai ฿700, a B&B that throws in free breakfast, bikes and parking
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A smart city boutique with the best quality for the price
→ Le Patta Hotel Chiang Rai ฿1,100, a 4-star boutique with the highest score in the set (9.6), a pool, and a walk to the walking street and clock tower
🏊
A swimming pool on a light budget
→ Diamond Park Inn ฿1,100, pool + parking near the clock tower · Kaeo Fa Sai Resort ฿900, bungalows with a rice-field-view pool · Mercy Hostel ฿250 (dorm) with a small pool · or Le Patta ฿1,100, a boutique with a pool in the centre
⛰️
The mountains or the riverside, quiet and natural
→ Hongfu Boutique Resort ฿1,100, a Doi Mae Salong boutique with tea-plantation views and cool air · or Ban Naam Resort ฿1,000, riverside bungalows with Doi Nang Non views in the Mae Sai area (both are better with a car)
🚗
Self-driving, wanting parking and a countryside feel
→ Diamond Park Inn ฿1,100 with central parking · Homey Dormy ฿700 with free parking · or Kaeo Fa Sai Resort ฿900, a bungalow with a pool out in Tha Sut on the city edge
📌 Note: All prices are approximate from-rates for standard rooms outside peak dates and can change by day and season — always check the live price and compare 3 sites before booking. · The scores and highlights here come from reading real guest reviews on the booking platforms, not from staying ourselves. · Every stay in this set scores 8.0 or higher, but these are budget-tier places (hostels, guesthouses and light-priced 2–4 star hotels), so they come with trade-offs — some have no pool, some have basic facilities, and some are out of town or up a mountain where you'll need a car; read each stay's honest notes before booking. · Chiang Rai's cool season (November–February) is the busy stretch, and small stays like Homey Dormy (12 rooms) and Baanmalai (~15 rooms), plus the popular Le Patta, tend to fill first, so plan ahead. · Chiang Rai has no metro; for out-of-town and mountain stays a rented car or scooter is worth it, as public transport is scarce. · Article by ThailandAddict.com
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ — common traveller questions about budget hotels in Chiang Rai
❓ Which is the best-value budget hotel in Chiang Rai?
On the lowest budget, <strong>Mercy Hostel</strong> with dorms from ฿250 is the best value — and it even has a small pool, a gym and a shared kitchen, scoring 9.2 from 2,970 reviews. · For the best quality-for-price, <strong>Le Patta Hotel</strong> has the highest score in the set at 9.6 from ฿1,100, a 4-star boutique that punches above its price. · For a cheap private room, <strong>Baan Bua Guest House</strong> is from ฿400, with <strong>Baanmalai</strong> and <strong>Na-Rak-O</strong> from ฿600.
❓ How much do budget hotels in Chiang Rai cost?
In this guide, prices start around <strong>฿250–1,100 per night</strong>. · At the cheapest end: Mercy Hostel from ฿250 (dorm bed), Baan Bua ฿400 (fan room), Baanmalai and Na-Rak-O ฿600, Homey Dormy ฿700. · At the boutique/pool end: Kaeo Fa Sai ฿900, Ban Naam ฿1,000, and Le Patta / Diamond Park Inn / Hongfu ฿1,100. · All are approximate from-rates outside peak; the cool season (November–February) pushes prices up noticeably.
❓ Which area should I stay in for a budget trip to Chiang Rai?
It depends on your trip — <strong>the city centre</strong> around the clock tower, night bazaar and walking street is where budget value is best, since you can walk to food and sights (Mercy Hostel, Le Patta, Baanmalai, Na-Rak-O, Homey Dormy, Diamond Park Inn, Baan Bua). · <strong>Tha Sut / the city edge</strong> has bungalow resorts with pools and rice-field views, quieter but a car helps (Kaeo Fa Sai). · <strong>Doi Mae Salong</strong> is a mountain boutique with tea-plantation views and cool air (Hongfu). · <strong>Mae Sai</strong> has riverside bungalows with Doi Nang Non views, a way from the city (Ban Naam).
❓ Are there budget stays in Chiang Rai with a swimming pool?
Several in this set. · <strong>Mercy Hostel</strong> ฿250 has a small pool, a gym and a shared kitchen at dorm rates. · <strong>Le Patta</strong> ฿1,100 is a 4-star boutique with a pool in the centre. · <strong>Diamond Park Inn</strong> ฿1,100 has a pool and parking near the clock tower. · And <strong>Kaeo Fa Sai Resort</strong> ฿900 has a pool that opens onto rice fields and mountains.
❓ Do I need to rent a car or scooter for a budget stay in Chiang Rai?
It depends on the area. · City-centre stays (Mercy, Le Patta, Baanmalai, Na-Rak-O, Diamond Park Inn, Baan Bua) are within a walk of food and the sights, so you can manage without a vehicle — though Wat Rong Khun and out-of-town sights need a car. · For out-of-town and mountain stays (<strong>Kaeo Fa Sai</strong> in Tha Sut, <strong>Hongfu</strong> on Doi Mae Salong, <strong>Ban Naam</strong> in Mae Sai) a rented car or scooter is strongly recommended, as public transport is scarce and the road up to Mae Salong is winding — drive in daylight in a sound vehicle.
❓ How far ahead should I book a budget hotel in Chiang Rai?
In the <strong>cool season (November–February) and over long weekends, book 2–4 weeks ahead or more</strong>, especially small stays like Homey Dormy (12 rooms) and Baanmalai (~15 rooms), plus the popular Le Patta and Mercy Hostel's limited private Studios, which fill first. · Outside peak, a few days ahead is usually fine and prices drop. · All the platforms offer Free Cancellation, so it's worth locking a rate that way if your plans aren't fixed, then comparing Agoda / Booking / Trip.com for the best price.
