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Booking Direct vs Airbnb or OTAs in Mumbai: What You Really Pay

· Updated

Living room with sectional sofa, desk and lit mirror in a serviced apartment you can book direct in Mumbai

Many serviced apartments in Mumbai are listed in more than one place: Airbnb, Booking.com, MakeMyTrip and their own website. It is the same apartment, but the experience of booking it can be quite different. Here is a simple guide.

Why the price can differ

Booking apps charge the property a commission, and some also add a service fee for the guest. When you book directly with the property, there is no middle layer, so the property can often offer a better rate or extras. At Rudraya Homes, booking on our own website always gives you our best available rate.

What you get when you book direct

Talk to the people who run the apartment

You message the actual team, not a call centre. Questions about parking, early check-in or a longer stay get answered faster.

Bedroom with double bed and bedside lights in a Rudraya Homes apartment

More flexibility

Need to extend by three days? Want a monthly rate? Need two apartments for a family? These are easier to arrange directly.

Clear prices

Our prices are shown inclusive of taxes, so you know the total before you pay.

When an app still makes sense

To be fair, booking apps have their place:

  • If you want to compare many options across a city in one search.
  • If you value an app’s review history and its own support process.
  • If you collect loyalty points with a particular platform.

A good habit: find the place you like on an app, then check the property’s own website before you pay.

Airbnb vs hotel vs serviced apartment

  • Hotel: best for one or two nights and full service, but small rooms and no kitchen.
  • Airbnb: lots of choice, but every host is different, so cleanliness and support vary.
  • Serviced apartment: a professionally managed apartment with a kitchen, housekeeping and a team on call. Best for stays of a few nights or more.
Kitchenette with microwave, hob and storage, something most hotel rooms do not have

We wrote more about this in our post on an Airbnb alternative in Mumbai.

How to book Rudraya Homes direct

  1. Choose your apartment on our apartments page.
  2. Pick your dates and see the total price, taxes included.
  3. Pay securely online, or message us on WhatsApp for monthly or corporate stays.
Living room with sofa and wall-mounted TV in a Rudraya Homes apartment

Questions about booking direct

Is booking direct cheaper than Airbnb?

Usually, yes. There is no app commission or guest service fee, and we give our best available rate on our own website.

Is it safe to pay on the property's website?

Pay only on secure websites (look for https). Our booking page uses a secure payment gateway.

Can I get a monthly rate on Airbnb?

Some apps offer weekly or monthly discounts. Booking direct lets us tailor a monthly rate to your dates.

What if I need to cancel?

Read the property’s cancellation policy before you pay. Ours is on our cancellation policy page.

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