SnapTravel Review: Can This Hotels Deals Engine Save You Money?

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon.

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at smcmahon@smartertravel.com.

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If you like the idea of using a travel agent to ensure you’re getting the best hotel deal, but hate the idea of contacting one and waiting for their search to end, SnapTravel may be the site you’ve been waiting for. It’s a half-bot, half-human hotel booking service that can secure some of the lowest negotiated hotel deals around, and it sends them right to your Facebook Messenger inbox.

SnapTravel is an online search engine that sends hotel deals catered to your needs almost instantaneously. The secret to its speed is a bot, much like the ones that now send shipping details and boarding passes via Facebook Messenger. But the secret to SnapTravel‘s ease is that it also uses actual people to guide the process and even to get you an upgrade.

How SnapTravel Works

SnapTravel does the hotel searching for you based on your travel dates and desired location, and sends you the three best deals. It also shows you just how much you’re saving compared to big-name search sites like Booking.com, and displays the hotel’s TripAdvisor rating if you view results on the site. (Editor’s Note: TripAdvisor is SmarterTravel’s parent company, but is not affiliated with SnapTravel.)

How does SnapTravel secure deals? It apparently all comes down to the private messaging feature.

“Hotels sell unsold inventory to Priceline and Hotwire because these prices are too low to show publicly,” the SnapTravel website states. “SnapTravel lets you book these same great rates without having to guess the hotel’s name because your discounted price is not displayed publicly when you book over private 1-1 chat.”

After taking SnapTravel for a test drive and comparing prices elsewhere along the way, I can say with confidence that its users are finding some of the lowest hotel rates around, especially in cities. If you’re booking a hotel in a highly populated area, chances are SnapTravel will have a deal for you.

Using SnapTravel

To use SnapTravel, enter your dates and location in the site’s search tool, and choose a contact method: Facebook Messenger, SMS, or Slack. The best user experience is currently on Messenger, according to SnapTravel’s founder, Hussein Fazal.

Moments after entering your information, the results will come through, and you can add in special requests (like preferred hotels or rewards programs, necessary amenities, and your budget) directly through the chat window—or click “Filter Results” to refine your needs and view a map of the hotels. Start a new search or conversation with one of SnapTravel’s agents (who are available 24/7) in Messenger by sending “New Booking.” Here’s a demonstration:

Deals and Upgrades through SnapTravel

The prices are surprisingly low. I searched several destinations and found some of the best savings in large cities like London and New York. For example, the cheapest New York hotel SnapTravel gave me was less than half the price that it was being offered for on Kayak and on Hotels.com. The prices I found are below, including SnapTravel’s top three options (left) and their counterpart prices on Kayak (right).

NY snap vs kayak — Screenshots: SnapTravel (left) and Kayak (right)

London yielded similar results, with some of the cheapest central hotels costing $43 less than the nightly Booking.com price, which was being pushed as a 32 percent off “deal” (see prices below the SnapTravel map). Los Angeles hotels were all well over $100 cheaper on SnapTravel.

London map snap vs hotels — Screenshots: SnapTravel (map) and Kayak (below)

Even for smaller cities, SnapTravel had cheaper prices than the most popular booking sites. Galway, Ireland, hotels were on average $20 cheaper per night, and Boston hotels were up to $70 less per night in my tests. Those aren’t small savings, and the options are by no means budget hotels. Most of their ratings are above a four on TripAdvisor.

Unlike many sites, SnapTravel isn’t simply a bot that takes commands. “Our humans actually serve a good purpose beyond just trying to find you a hotel,” Fazal told me. An agent stays on top of your reservation after you’ve booked, not only confirming all your needs are met, but oftentimes getting you an upgrade. About 30 percent of the time an upgrade is secured, and 60 percent of bookings can at least get bumped to a higher floor. That means only about 10 percent of bookings don’t get something extra from using SnapTravel.

If you’ve ever wanted a virtual personal assistant for hotel bookings, here’s your chance.

Top Summer Hotel Deals from SnapTravel (Sponsored)

Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile, Chicago

The best place to stay in Chicago this summer is the Magnificent Mile, a popular district that's home to excellent shopping, historical landmarks, and some of the city's best eateries. The Navy Pier (with beautiful Lake Michigan views), the John Hancock Center (home to the 360 Observatory), and Field Museum are all within easy walking distance.

The highly rated Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile is a luxurious oasis in the middle of the bustling neighborhood. This 415-room hotel offers panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyline, a signature "SoBed" sleep system, and a gourmet restaurant with a gorgeous terrace.

Click here to save almost 50 percent on a summer stay with SnapTravel!

Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile, Chicago

Click here to save almost 50 percent on a summer stay with SnapTravel!

Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

San Francisco is simply magical in the summer, especially at Fisherman's Wharf. This lively waterfront is bursting with eclectic shops, world-renowned restaurants, and cultural activities. Here, you can hop on a boat to cruise the Pacific Ocean, say hello to some friendly Sea Lions on Pier 39's K-Dock, or even catch a 7-D movie.

After a long day on the water, Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf is right around the corner, so you can be back in your hotel without hassle. This chic hotel is perfectly located near Pier 39, Ghiradelli Square, and by a cable car stop. You won't find any bland rooms here—each room is uniquely decorated to reflect the Fisherman's Wharf location. It may be hard to tear yourself away to explore, especially from the hotel's heated outdoor pool!

Click here to book at up to 30 percent off with SnapTravel!

Washington Park Hotel, Miami Beach

Just outside the Washington Park Hotel in Miami Beach, the streets are alive with revelers enjoying South Beach's best bars, clubs, and restaurants on Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue, and Ocean Drive. Inside, the hotel offers cool, spacious rooms that are a quiet refuge from the non-stop party outside.

When you're ready to head back out, free custom bikes await outside to help you explore the city. Or, if you've had a few too many cocktails, hop aboard the Washington Park Hotel's unique electric TUK TUK shuttle.

Click here to grab unbelievable savings of up to 85 percent off with SnapTravel!

The Miami Beach EDITION, Miami Beach

The Miami Beach EDITION sprawls across 3.5 acres from Collins Avenue to Atlantic Ocean, and has every possible luxury that you can think of. There's world-famous chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Matador Room, a bowling alley, ice-skating rink, nightclub, and more.

Opt for one of the 294 individually designed guest rooms, or splurge on an oceanfront bungalow (some of which have their own private plunge pool).

Click here to save up to 30 percent off any room with SnapTravel!

The Wyndham New Yorker, New York

Summer nights in New York City are magical, and best experienced at the Wyndham New Yorker. You'll probably recognize this iconic building—you can easily pick it out of the Manhattan skyline thanks to its Art Deco styling and bold red block lettering. Located steps from Penn Station, Times Square, and the Javits Center, it's well-situated for exploring the city with ease.

Inside, the rooms are inspired by Art-Deco style and are very spacious for Manhattan. This hotel is already a great value, but you can save even more.

Click here to book at up to 30 percent off with SnapTravel!

The Modern Honolulu, Honolulu

Honolulu has wonderful weather year-round, with an average of 278 sunny days per year. Summers are hot and the perfect time to hit the beach, which you can easily do if you're staying at The Modern Honolulu. The location offers easy access to Waikiki Beach, downtown Honolulu, and Kaka'ako arts district.

Watch the Friday night fireworks over the harbor on the hotel's outdoor patio while you eat dinner, sign up for some adventure with a scuba diving trip offered by the hotel, or simply walk outside and be on Duke Kahanamoku Beach (named the best beach in America by Dr. Beach) in seconds. The Modern Hotel even has separate pools for sunrise and sunset, so you'll never miss either!

Click here to book at more than 50 percent off with SnapTravel!

The Westgate Las Vegas Resort, Las Vegas

Summer in Las Vegas means pool season, and The Westgate Las Vegas has one of the best. This newly renovated pool deck has well-equipped private cabanas, an oversized hot tub, and a relaxing atmosphere.

When you're ready to explore the rest of Sin City, the Westgate has its own stop on the Las Vegas Monorail, so you can beat the traffic and get to where you want to go quickly. If that's not enough, the resort also has its own tennis courts, shopping center, and wedding chapel.

Click here to book at unbelievable prices of up to 80 percent off with SnapTravel!

Hilton San Francisco Financial District, San Francisco

If you want to see all that San Francisco has to offer, stay at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District. It's situated within walking distance of the Financial District, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, and Union Square.

Or, see it all at once from the top of the hotel's 27th floor, which has sweeping views of the bay and skyline. Our favorite unique perk of this hotel? The private karaoke room available to guests.

Click here to book at up to 30 percent off with SnapTravel!

Radisson Resort Orlando Celebration, Orlando

Take the kids on the trip of the lifetime to Orlando and explore the theme parks of their dreams. The Radisson Resort Orlando Celebration is just 1.5 miles from Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom and Epcot Parks, and is close to SeaWorld, Universal Studios, and Wet n' Wild. There's even a free shuttle to Walt Disney World, so you'll save money and the hassle of fighting for a parking space at the park.

You might be tempted to skip the parks, though, when you see how much the Radisson has to offer: a game room, sports lounge, hot tubs, volleyball court, tennis courts, two outdoor pools, poolside bar, and children's pool.

Click here to reserve a room at up to 60 percent off with SnapTravel!

Boston Park Plaza, Boston

Summer in Boston conjures up visions of warm nights cheering on the Red Sox at Fenway, idyllic Swan Boat rides, and all the lobster rolls you can eat. Make it a trip to remember by staying at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, an elegantly historical hotel that's been iconic to the city since 1927—but recently underwent a $100 million renovation to add modern luxury.

This AAA Four Diamond Hotel is located next to the Public Garden, and near the Theater District and Back Bay. If you stay here, you'll be in good company—it's hosted all but two U.S. Presidents since it opened!

Click here to book at up to 30 percent off with SnapTravel!

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Associate Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.