How does trip1 compare to ZenHotels?

How trip1 and ZenHotels compare

trip1 and ZenHotels are both accommodation-only booking platforms where you search, book and pay in one place. ZenHotels is the consumer-facing brand of Emerging Travel Group, whose B2B arm RateHawk supplies travel agencies, which gives it access to wholesale-contracted rates. trip1 covers over 3 million hotels in 190+ countries and is built around cryptocurrency payment.

Inventory and rates

Both platforms have very large catalogues - ZenHotels lists around 2.7 million properties including hostels, apartments and guest houses, and trip1 lists over 3 million. ZenHotels' wholesale supply chain is its strength and often produces sharp rates. trip1 offers competitive rates plus the option to settle in crypto, which avoids bank conversion fees on overseas payments.

Payment methods

ZenHotels accepts credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay. It does not accept cryptocurrency. trip1 accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, Litecoin and 120+ other coins across 15+ networks, processed by CoinGate, which is licensed under the EU's MiCA regulation by the Bank of Lithuania.

How the crypto checkout works

Choose "Pay with crypto" at checkout on trip1 and CoinGate shows a QR code and wallet address with an exact amount. Send it from any wallet you already use. There is no crypto account to open with trip1, and once the transaction confirms on-chain your booking is confirmed and the hotel is paid in its own currency.

When to choose trip1 over ZenHotels

Choose trip1 when you want to pay in cryptocurrency, since ZenHotels has no crypto option. ZenHotels is a solid choice if you are paying by card or PayPal and want to see how its wholesale-sourced rates compare on a specific property.