Click here to see the Times Online selection of the top 100 travel websites. Don't agree with our choices? Know of one that merits inclusion? Let us know

FIND YOUR PERFECT ROOM

www.tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely unbeatable site for comparing user reviews of hotels around the world. The map function means you can pin point by location, plus there's user pictures and videos, restaurant reviews, things to do and destination discussion forums. Booking engine is powered by expedia, which means the rates should be competitive. A smaller, but more quirky version is www.hotelchatter.com.

www.goodhotelguide.com
Last year saw the launch of this esteemed hotel guidebook series online. It's not as attractive as some of its rivals, below, but you can search by map or dropdown and there's images with most properties, alongside the description and a link to the hotel's website. The site is independent so reviewers are experts and no hotel pays to appear in the guide.

www.i-escape.com
If you are looking for a stylish hideaway there's more than 1000 options on here, and it even has affordable hotels too. Each hotel comes with at least 21 images and highs and lows about the property, plus there's maps and advice on restaurants and activities.

www.travelintelligence.com
This site carries thousands of hotel reviews, written by a team of travel writers and users. There's an interactive map, plus some great travel writing and the hotel hotlists are good if you don't have a specific destination in mind.

www.mrandmrssmith.com
The colloquial style of this site, produced by the boutique hotel guidebook publishers, means it reads like the recommendation of a trendy mate, who'll not only tell you about the best hotels to stay in, but also recommend the best room and top restaurants and bars nearby. If you become a member you can get hotel discounts and earn loyalty points.

www.sawdays.co.uk
Another hotel guidebook publisher to try for trendy hotels and remote gems. You'll need to register (it's free) to read the full guide, but it's worth is for the gentle descriptive prowse and attention to detail.

www.tablethotels.com
Stylish hotels for the design-conscious; particularly good on city break properties.

www.chicretreats.com
Like i-escapes.com (but nowhere near as good-looking). A fun site to visit if you’re looking for a boutique hotel or villa.

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk
A slick new redesign puts this site ahead of the competition with its database of over 130,000 self-catering properties in the UK, Europe, the Caribbean and the US. Use the map or keyword to begin your search, then the excellent drill-down options in the left-hand column. Properties come with pictures, detailed description and live availability.

www.english-country-cottages.co.uk
This directory of more than 3,000 self-catering properties in England (with sister sites for Scotland, Ireland and France) has simple map or drop-down navigation and every property has multiple pictures, a map, description and live availability.

SPECIALISTS

www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com/en
Lists B&Bs, cottages and camping in rural France, plus dining in a farmhouse inn and all-manner of family activities on the farm. Perfect if you've done a few gites holidays and are looking for something new.

www.rarebits.co.uk
Lovely site listing, and an agent for hotels “of distinction” in Wales, with selections and ratings in association with the Wales Tourist Board. For English country inns and pubs-with-rooms www.english-inns.co.uk won't win prizes for its design, but the listings are pretty good. Of course, the odd stinker slips through the net, so best to verify your choice by checking out user hotel reviews - see our interactive travel website listings for links.

www.japaneseguesthouses.com
Daunted by Japan? This English-language site has over 600 ryokans (inns) all over the country, is easy to use and hugely reassuring. Another great regional site is www.boutiquesrilanka.com - the number of attractive photos and useful country and event guides is quite an achievement for a site that provides accommodation. The hotel information pages are in-depth, again with good pictures and ratings.

www.parador.es
Beautiful rural and unusual bolt holes in excellent locations in Spain, all run by the government tourist board and most converted from grand old properties - the search by map, list or dropdown means you won't struggle to find what you're looking for. Or for a rustic Spanish country hotel try www.rusticae.es, which lists over 200 hotels in Spain, Andorra, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, and Chile, noted for their charm and character. It's a scruffy site, but www.agriturismo.com/englisch.htm has similar listings for rustic Italian accommodation.

BARGAIN ROOMS

www.hostelbookers.com
Budget travel about as cheap as it gets - thousands of hostels worldwide, plus guesthouses, cheap hotels and B&Bs, all rated by customers and bookable online. No login in or registration required, no booking fees, good photos, some video content, and a decent travel guide and events section to research your trip.

www.hostelworld.com
A huge portfolio of hostels plus two million reviews make this site one of the most comprehensive for budget accommodation. There's free downloadable audio guides, videos, pictures and a social networking area. If you want to avoid the booking fee, apply for a gold card, which costs $10 to buy and $5 per year after that. For hostels, also try www.europefamoushostels.com where the properties sign up to minimum standards and www.hostelz.com which has over 3,000 properties and user reviews. Plus, there's www.hostels.com which has a good clean design and search, but fewer user reviews than its bigger rivals.

www.couchsurfing.com
Excellent independent travel website. Sign up and find people to stay with around the world, or host them where you live.

www.sleepinginairports.net
Or if you can't find a couch, find a row of seats at this site, and possibly even clean toilets and a shower.

www.roomauction.com
A portfolio of hotels around the UK that are open to offers. Find the hotel you want and make them an offer - there's no registration or deposit required. They should get back to you within two days.

www.laterooms.com
Lists hotels by location with date-specific deals up to weeks in advance, up to 70 per cent off. The weather function allows you to choose somewhere for its climate.

www.priceline.co.uk
Great value options,plus a bidding function and "my budget is under" tool, with plenty of reader reviews to back up your choice.

www.homebase-hols.com
An active home exchange website, established in 1985 and a founder member of the First Exchange Home Alliance. Membership starts at £29 but this guarantees you only receive genuine offers. Well worth it if you intend to home swap on a regular basis. There's also www.homelink.org.uk. The organisation has been going since 1953. You can browse the homes for free but to join and exchange there's a £115 fee.

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