5 free hotel apps offer user-friendly features

 

Share

0

Oyster dispatches journalists to review each hotel. Their summaries are brief and on target. For example, you quickly learn that the Tortuga Bay hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, has "no nightlife scene" and "only expensive, on-site cuisine available."

Some traveler reviews would be helpful, but you don't find them here.

Priceline Hotel & Car Negotiator(iPhone, iPad, Android)

Priceline's iPhone and iPad apps are noteworthy because they now give you three ways to book hotels: You can browse and book stays at published rates; tap to place a bid using Name Your Own Price for discounts of up to 60%; or access the Express Deals feature, in which you know the room rate (up to 45% off) upfront, but only find out which hotel it is after you pay. Express Deals is not yet available in Priceline's Android app.

In the fun and gimmick department, you can filter your hotel search by stars, guest scores from verified patrons, and perks such as free Internet service and airport shuttle.

You also can spin a wheel to set your maximum price for the room.

Is there a product, app or website you'd like the Digital Traveler to review? Send us an e-mail at travel@usatoday.com.