4 Niche Hotel Booking Sites for Travelers with Specific Needs

by  Christine Dayao | Sep 19, 2014
Hotel Room
Hotel Room / noipornpan/iStock

Finding a hotel that supports your lifestyle back at home can be challenging and overwhelming, particularly if you have specific interests and needs. That’s where niche booking sites that help narrow down your options according to your preferences come into play. Here are four websites that tackle allergy needs, pet-friendliness, and more.

Pure Rooms
Are you one of those people who starts sneezing the minute you step into most hotel rooms? What you need is a hypo-allergenic room, and Pure Room is where you can find it. The company completes a seven-step purification process at a number of hotel properties here and abroad that treats every surface, including the air, to remove all the ick. During the process, heating and air conditioning units are deep cleaned, and a special solution helps remove dirt and bacteria from carpeting and upholstery. Rooms also have allergy-friendly bedding and a 24-hour air purification system. (Psst -- did you know that Swiss International Air Lines recently became the first certified allergy-friendly airline?)

BookDifferent
This site specializes in properties around the globe that are green and environmentally friendly, so this is a good bet if you’re all about sustainability. In fact, more than 6,000 properties are listed as green hotels, all of which are audited by impartial third parties based on factors like conservation efforts, energy use, and impact on the local environment. Another bonus of booking through the site: Of the commission they receive from bookings, BookDifferent will donate 50 percent to a charity of your choosing.

BringFido
Humans and their four-legged friends are increasingly traveling together, but not all hotels are pet-friendly. Enter BringFido, which has a travel directory of more than 25,000 pet-friendly hotels worldwide. And you won't be surprised by hidden fees, since search results clearly states whether bringing a pet will coast you extra. Once you click into an individual listing, you'll see any mention of a pet fee in the hotel description, rather than having to dig through the fine print. Additionally, the site has a section on air travel that lists the pet policies of more than a dozen airlines, plus a directory of restaurants where you and your pup can dine.

VeggieHotels
Everyone loves to explore the local dining scene during a trip, but sometimes you just need something convenient and close. Unfortunately, some hotels are better than others with catering to various dietary habit and restrictions. Those living the vegetarian lifestyle can check out VeggieHotels, which has more than 500 hotels, guesthouses, and seminar and health centers to choose from. To find ideal accommodations, visitors can use up to 40 different filters for more specific food preferences (think: vegan, raw, gluten-free, and more), accommodation types, facilities, and activities.

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