How to avoid the big internet names in a search ?

Has anyone worked out how to avoid the big internet names in a search ?
I like to book accommodation direct and I used to be able to do it using the - sign, ie searching for accommodation in A-B, where B is another town. However this no longer functions very effectively.
Is there a better way of doing things ?

Comments

  • arciere
    arciere Posts: 1,354
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    Can you define 'big names'? Are you talking about websites like hotels.com, booking.com, etc?

    If yes, you can always search there and then book directly on the website of the hotel, although this is not always the cheapest option.
  • brianposter
    brianposter Posts: 1,281
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    arciere wrote: »
    Can you define 'big names'? Are you talking about websites like hotels.com, booking.com, etc?

    If yes, you can always search there and then book directly on the website of the hotel, although this is not always the cheapest option.
    Yes. I am refering to that type of site.
    The problem is that in many cases it is difficult or impossible to find the websites for direct booking because of all the clutter.
  • arciere
    arciere Posts: 1,354
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    There is no clutter.

    You find a name, you google the name of the hotel, you go to their website. If the hotel's website is not in the first 5-10 results, chances are that the hotel does not have a website. If you still want to book directly with them, find the phone number and call them. Not much else you can do.
  • SnowTiger
    SnowTiger Posts: 4,458
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    Has anyone worked out how to avoid the big internet names in a search ?
    I like to book accommodation direct and I used to be able to do it using the - sign, ie searching for accommodation in A-B, where B is another town. However this no longer functions very effectively.
    Is there a better way of doing things ?

    Toddle off to Google.

    Type 'accommodation town/city' in to search box.

    Google replies with a map and list of accommodation.

    Click on the one you like and more info pops up, including a link to accommodation's website.

    Click that link.
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,517
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    Search box....

    Hotel Town -website.com -website2.com


    hotel in stoke -booking.com -tripadvisor.co.uk
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • brianposter
    brianposter Posts: 1,281
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    SnowTiger wrote: »
    Toddle off to Google.

    Type 'accommodation town/city' in to search box.

    Google replies with a map and list of accommodation.

    Click on the one you like and more info pops up, including a link to accommodation's website.

    Click that link.
    Thanks, Tiger. That has turned up several new possibilities.
  • brianposter
    brianposter Posts: 1,281
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    Search box....

    Hotel Town -website.com -website2.com


    hotel in stoke -booking.com -tripadvisor.co.uk
    For reasons best known to the search engines this does not appear to work. Omitting the .com appears to work somewhat better but still does not get rid of the relevant websites.
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,517
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    works on google.co.uk using firefox. I tested it.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • brianposter
    brianposter Posts: 1,281
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    works on google.co.uk using firefox. I tested it.
    Certainly doesnt work for me using google.co.uk and Firefox at the moment, although it did appear to work once this morning. When I get the time I will try to analyse things a bit further.
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