For me booking.com has always been cheaper than booking directly with hotels.

I do a lot of motorcycle travelling without a plan. I often do not know where I’ll be at the end of the day, just a general direction.

Late afternoon when I have a better idea where I’ll end up before it goes dark I’ll look at booking.com, find some hotels/motels that match my criteria and head to them without booking.

Countless times I’ve turned up and said “I found you on booking.com and it says you have vacancies, I want a room” only to be given a price higher than booking.com. Some reluctantly negotiate down to match it, some look confused how booking com can offer the price they are while I book through booking.com at the hotel desk as the hotel won’t match the price booking.com are charging.