Algotels: Scam Or Legit? Read Reviews Before You Book!

Shaina Keebler 10 May 2025

Are you chasing the dream of a luxury hotel stay without the luxury price tag? The promise of unbeatable hotel deals online is often too tempting to resist, but navigating the world of third-party booking sites can feel like traversing a minefield. One such site, algotels.com, has been generating buzzand not always the good kind.

The internet is awash with platforms vying for your travel budget, each claiming to offer the best rates and seamless booking experiences. Companies like Holisto, for example, boast of spending years perfecting technology to scan, combine, and build the best possible deals, promising savings on every hotel stay. "We've spent over 6 years researching, developing, and perfecting holistos technology, allowing us to scan, combine, and build you the best deal possible, while saving you money on hotel stays each and every time," their marketing materials proclaim. The aspiration is clear: to provide travelers with affordable and enjoyable accommodations.

Topic	Details
Name	Algotels.com
Type	Online Hotel Booking Platform
Founded	2021
Location	United States
Funding Status	Unfunded
Business Model	Algorithm-based Hotel Deal Aggregator
Parent Company/Ownership	Expedia/Trivago owns 30%
Controversies	Non-transparent Fees, Poor Customer Service, Booking Issues
Average Rating	1.6 stars (based on 279 reviews)
Similar Platforms	Trivago, Expedia, Kayak, Holisto
Website	Scamadviser Analysis of Algotels.com

However, the reality of online hotel booking isn't always as rosy as these promises suggest. The experiences of travelers with algotels.com highlight the potential pitfalls of using lesser-known third-party platforms. Many users express concerns about the legitimacy and reliability of the site. The question "How many stars would you give algotels.com?" is frequently posed in online forums, often met with hesitant or negative responses. Some potential customers, encountering algotels.com through search engines like Kayak, express skepticism: "Seems too good to be true, but I was using Kayak, so wondering if anyone has used them before."

One recurring theme in user feedback is the lack of familiarity with the platform. "Personally, I have never heard of them, and a Google search says they are legit, but no reviews," one potential customer noted. This lack of widespread recognition, coupled with the absence of readily available reviews, can be a red flag for cautious travelers. In an age where trust is paramount, the unfamiliar can be unsettling.

To address these concerns, many turn to automated tools like Scamadviser, which employs algorithms to assess the legitimacy and safety of websites. Scamadviser's analysis of algotels.com is based on a wide range of publicly available data points reportedly 40 facts to provide a risk assessment. "Scamadviser is an automated algorithm to check if a website is legit and safe (or not)," a description of the tool explains. While such tools can be helpful, they are not foolproof and should be considered alongside other sources of information.

The business model of algotels.com appears to be that of an "online platform for booking hotel accommodations," aggregating deals and offering them to users. The site launched in 2021, operating out of the United States, and is reportedly unfunded. However, it has ties to larger players in the travel industry. According to one user, "I booked a hotel in New York for 4 days and was directed to algotels by Expedia/Trivago, who owns 30% of algotels (seems they are based in Israel)." This connection to established brands might lend some credibility to the platform, but it doesn't guarantee a positive user experience.

A deeper dive into user reviews reveals a pattern of complaints regarding transparency and customer service. Some users allege hidden fees and unexpected charges. "The fees and charges algotels charge are not transparent, and you may be hit by fees and charges at the hotel as well," one reviewer warned. This lack of transparency can lead to significant discrepancies between the initially quoted price and the final bill, leaving travelers feeling cheated and frustrated.

The potential for unpleasant surprises extends beyond pricing. Several users have reported issues with their bookings, including discrepancies between what they believed they had booked and what was actually reserved. "I strongly recommend avoiding algotels unless you like surprises or are prepared to spend hours on the phone verifying what was actually booked is what you thought and what algotels told you you booked," one disgruntled customer advised. These experiences highlight the importance of carefully scrutinizing booking confirmations and verifying reservations directly with the hotel.

Algotels.com's apparent desire for discretion is noticeable. "We would like to show you a description here, but the site wont allow us," a message on one review platform states, suggesting a possible attempt to control the narrative surrounding the company. This opaqueness only fuels suspicion and reinforces the need for caution.

Despite these red flags, Scamadviser assigns algotels.com an "average to good trust score." This seemingly contradictory assessment raises the question: "Why does algotels.com have an average to good trust score?" The answer likely lies in the automated nature of the evaluation process, which considers factors such as website security and domain registration details. While these factors are important, they don't necessarily reflect the actual experiences of users.

It's crucial to understand that "Scamadviser is an automated algorithm to check if a website is legit and safe (or not)." The tool's evaluation is "based on an analysis of 40 facts found online in public sources." These "sources we use are if the website..." meets certain technical criteria. However, a website can appear legitimate on the surface while still providing a subpar or even problematic user experience.

The negative experiences reported by some customers paint a starkly different picture. One user described a frustrating interaction with customer service after needing to change a reservation due to an emergency. "Algotels proceeded to ask me what the emergency was in order for them to be able to assist," the user recounted. "I explained, and they then stated as its no cancellation, they cant help." This rigid adherence to cancellation policies, even in the face of extenuating circumstances, suggests a lack of empathy and flexibility on the part of algotels.com.

For those who have already made a reservation and are unsure of the booking site's name, there's a simple trick: " if you made a reservation already but cant remember the name of the booking site, we recommend checking the payment transaction on your credit card/ bank statement, the name of the booking site will show on the outgoing payment." This tip can be helpful for tracking down the source of a booking and resolving any issues that may arise.

The experiences of users who booked through algotels.com after being directed there by larger platforms like Expedia and Trivago are particularly concerning. One such user, who booked a hotel in New York for four days at a cost of over $2000 in June, encountered a serious problem when trying to obtain an address for their ESTA application. "I decided to check the booking on the hotel website, which was not found," the user reported. This discovery triggered a scramble to resolve the issue, highlighting the potential for significant stress and inconvenience when bookings go awry.

The prevalence of negative reviews is hard to ignore. "Algotels has 279 reviews (average rating 1.6)," one summary notes. This low average rating is a clear indication of widespread dissatisfaction among users. Some reviews are blunt and unequivocal: "Dont book!, these people are liars, scam scam scam!" Such strong language should serve as a serious warning to potential customers.

While algotels.com may offer seemingly attractive deals, the potential risks associated with using the platform appear to outweigh the potential rewards. The lack of transparency, reports of hidden fees, and frequent complaints about customer service and booking issues suggest that travelers should exercise extreme caution when considering this site. It's always advisable to book directly with the hotel whenever possible or to use well-established and reputable third-party booking platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com. Even comparison sites like Trivago, which "Read reviews and complaints about trivago, including hotel and flight deals, vacation packages, rate comparisons, quality testing and more," are a safer bet, as they aggregate deals from multiple sources, providing a broader overview of available options.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use algotels.com rests with the individual traveler. However, given the available evidence, it's clear that this platform comes with a significant degree of risk. Those who choose to proceed should do so with caution, carefully scrutinizing all booking details and being prepared to deal with potential issues. Remember, the lure of a cheap hotel room is never worth the cost of a ruined vacation.

For those seeking assistance or clarification from these platforms, it's important to be prepared to engage in a potentially lengthy and frustrating process. "To be able to quickly ask us a question, you have to log in or create an account if you don't have one yet," one help center advises. Even then, there's no guarantee of a swift or satisfactory resolution. "No matter what, you can still try sending us your inquiry on our help center," is a rather underwhelming promise of support.

In conclusion, while algotels.com might present itself as a legitimate platform offering attractive hotel deals, the preponderance of negative reviews and reports of questionable business practices should give travelers pause. Proceed with caution, do your research, and always prioritize booking directly with the hotel or using reputable third-party providers to ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience.