knownasnaffy Google Hotels Search
Search Google Hotels via agent-browser to find hotel prices, ratings, amenities, and availability.
When to Use
- User asks to search, find, or compare hotels or accommodation
- User wants hotel prices in a city, neighborhood, or near a landmark
- User asks about hotel availability for specific dates
- User wants the best-rated or cheapest hotel in an area
When NOT to Use
- Booking: This skill searches only — never complete a purchase
- Vacation rentals / Airbnb: Google Hotels shows hotels, not rentals
- Flights: Use the flight-search skill
- Historical prices: Google Hotels shows current prices only
- NEVER leave Google Hotels during search — do not navigate to Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, or any OTA as a search workaround. Exception: after presenting results, you MAY visit the hotel's own website for direct booking/promo checks (see Post-Search).
Session Convention
Always use --session hotels for isolation.
URL Fast Path (Preferred)
Build a URL with location and dates encoded. Loads results directly — 3 commands total.
URL Template
https://www.google.com/travel/search?q={QUERY}&qs=CAE4AA&ts={TS_PARAM}&ap=MAE
Where {QUERY} is the location/hotel name and {TS_PARAM} is a base64-encoded date parameter.
Encoding Dates in the URL
Google Hotels uses a protobuf-encoded ts parameter for dates. The byte layout is fixed for years 2025-2030. Use this bash function to generate it:
hotel_ts() {
local ci_y=$1 ci_m=$2 ci_d=$3 co_y=$4 co_m=$5 co_d=$6 nights=$7
local cyl=$(printf '%02x' $(( ($ci_y & 0x7f) | 0x80 )))
local cyh=$(printf '%02x' $(($ci_y >> 7)))
local col=$(printf '%02x' $(( ($co_y & 0x7f) | 0x80 )))
local coh=$(printf '%02x' $(($co_y >> 7)))
echo -n "08011a200a021a00121a12140a0708${cyl}${cyh}10$(printf '%02x' $ci_m)18$(printf '%02x' $ci_d)120708${col}${coh}10$(printf '%02x' $co_m)18$(printf '%02x' $co_d)18$(printf '%02x' $nights)32020801" \
| xxd -r -p | base64 | tr -d '\n='
}
# Usage: hotel_ts CHECKIN_YEAR MONTH DAY CHECKOUT_YEAR MONTH DAY NIGHTS
# Example: hotel_ts 2026 3 15 2026 3 20 5
# Output: CAEaIAoCGgASGhIUCgcI6g8QAxgPEgcI6g8QAxgUGAUyAggB
Constraints: Years 2025-2030, months 1-12, days 1-31, nights 1-127. These cover all realistic hotel searches.
Location Formats
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| City | Hotels+in+Bangkok |
| City + country | Hotels+in+Bangkok+Thailand |
| Neighborhood | Hotels+in+Shibuya+Tokyo |
| Near landmark | Hotels+near+Eiffel+Tower |
| Region | Hotels+in+Amalfi+Coast |
| Airport | Hotels+near+BKK+airport |
| Specific hotel | Haus+im+Tal+Munich |
URL vs Interactive Features
| Feature | Via URL? |
|---|---|
| Location | ✅ Yes (via q=) |
| Dates | ✅ Yes (via ts=) |
| Guests / rooms | ❌ Set interactively (default: 1 room, 2 guests) |
| Filters (stars, price, amenities) | ❌ Set interactively |
Example: Hotels in Bangkok, March 15-20
# Step 1: Generate ts parameter
ts=$(hotel_ts 2026 3 15 2026 3 20 5)
# Step 2: Open with location + dates — results load immediately
agent-browser --session hotels open "https://www.google.com/travel/search?q=Hotels+in+Bangkok&qs=CAE4AA&ts=${ts}&ap=MAE"
agent-browser --session hotels wait --load networkidle
agent-browser --session hotels snapshot -i
# Step 3: Extract results from snapshot, then close
agent-browser --session hotels close
Example: Specific Hotel with Dates
ts=$(hotel_ts 2026 3 9 2026 3 12 3)
agent-browser --session hotels open "https://www.google.com/travel/search?q=Haus+im+Tal+Munich&qs=CAE4AA&ts=${ts}&ap=MAE"
agent-browser --session hotels wait --load networkidle
agent-browser --session hotels snapshot -i
agent-browser --session hotels close
Without Dates (Location Only)
If the user doesn't specify dates, omit the ts, qs, and ap parameters:
agent-browser --session hotels open "https://www.google.com/travel/search?q=Hotels+in+Bangkok"
agent-browser --session hotels wait --load networkidle
agent-browser --session hotels snapshot -i
Results will show "starting from" prices. Set dates interactively if the user provides them later (see deep-dive reference).
For detailed interactive workflows (calendar navigation, guest/room selector, filters), see the deep-dive reference.
Result Format
Present results as a single rich table:
| # | Hotel | Stars | Rating | Price/Night | Total | Via | Key Amenities |
|---|-------|-------|--------|-------------|-------|-----|---------------|
| 1 | Sukhothai Bangkok | ★★★★★ | 9.2 | $185 | $925 | Hotels.com | Pool, Spa, WiFi |
| 2 | Centara Grand | ★★★★★ | 8.8 | $165 | $825 | Booking.com | Pool, Gym, WiFi |
| 3 | Ibis Sukhumvit | ★★★ | 7.4 | $45 | $225 | Agoda | WiFi, Restaurant |
Parallel Sessions
Only use when the user explicitly asks for a comparison between distinct searches (e.g., "Compare hotels in Shibuya vs Shinjuku").
agent-browser --session shibuya open "https://www.google.com/travel/search?q=Hotels+in+Shibuya+Tokyo" &
agent-browser --session shinjuku open "https://www.google.com/travel/search?q=Hotels+in+Shinjuku+Tokyo" &
wait
agent-browser --session shibuya wait --load networkidle &
agent-browser --session shinjuku wait --load networkidle &
wait
# Set dates in both sessions, then snapshot both
agent-browser --session shibuya snapshot -i
agent-browser --session shinjuku snapshot -i
agent-browser --session shibuya close &
agent-browser --session shinjuku close &
wait
Key Rules
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
Prefer URL fast path with ts= |
3 commands with dates vs 10+ interactive |
wait --load networkidle |
Smarter than fixed wait 5000 |
| Always encode dates in URL when available | Use hotel_ts to generate the ts parameter |
Use fill not type for text |
Clears existing text first |
| Wait 2s after typing location | Autocomplete needs API roundtrip |
| Click suggestions, never Enter | Enter is unreliable for autocomplete |
| Re-snapshot after every interaction | DOM changes invalidate refs |
| Check for "View prices" | Means dates aren't set yet |
| Never leave Google Hotels during search | Exception: hotel's own site for direct booking check after results |
| Navigate calendar with "<" and ">" | Calendar may open on wrong month — use arrows to go backward or forward |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Consent popup | Click "Accept all" or "Reject all" |
| URL fast path fails | Fall back to google.com/travel/hotels interactive flow |
| No results / "View prices" | Set check-in and check-out dates |
| Calendar opens on wrong month | Use "<" arrow to navigate backward or ">" to go forward. Always re-snapshot after navigating to confirm target month is visible |
| Snapshot blocked by calendar overlay | Press Escape to close the calendar, re-snapshot, then re-open the date picker and try again |
| Stale pricing | Prices are real-time and indicative — mention this caveat |
| Currency mismatch | Google uses browser locale currency — note any discrepancy |
| CAPTCHA | Inform user. Do NOT solve. Retry after a short wait |
| Map view instead of list | Click "List" or "View list" toggle |
| Hotel not found | Try variations: full name, shorter name, name + city, name + neighborhood |
Post-Search: Direct Booking & Deals
After presenting results, always ask the user if they'd like you to check for better deals. Phrase it like:
"Want me to check [hotel name]'s direct website for promo codes or member rates? Direct booking is often cheaper than OTAs."
When to Offer
- Always when the user searches for a specific hotel by name
- Always when results show a single clear winner the user is interested in
- On request when comparing multiple hotels — offer for whichever they pick
What to Check
Open the hotel's own website in a new session (--session direct) and look for:
- Direct booking price — often 5-15% cheaper than OTAs (Booking.com, Expedia, etc.)
- Promo codes — look for banners, pop-ups, or a "offers"/"deals"/"promotions" page
- Member/loyalty rates — "sign up for X% off first booking" or free membership discounts
- Package deals — breakfast included, free cancellation, parking bundles
- Seasonal promotions — holiday specials, early bird rates, last-minute deals
# After Google Hotels search is done, visit hotel's direct site
agent-browser --session direct open "https://www.example-hotel.com"
agent-browser --session direct wait --load networkidle
agent-browser --session direct snapshot -i
# Look for: promo banners, "offers" or "deals" links, booking widget prices
agent-browser --session direct close
Chain Hotel Loyalty Programs
If the hotel belongs to a major chain, mention the loyalty program — members often get better rates, room upgrades, or points:
| Chain | Brands | Loyalty Program | Typical Member Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| IHG | Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, Indigo | IHG One Rewards | Member rate (often cheapest), points earning, 4th night free on reward stays |
| Marriott | Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, W, Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Aloft | Marriott Bonvoy | Member rate, mobile check-in, points/miles |
| Hilton | Hilton, DoubleTree, Hampton, Conrad, Waldorf Astoria | Hilton Honors | Member discount, 5th night free on reward stays, digital key |
| Accor | Sofitel, Novotel, ibis, Mercure, Moxy, Fairmont | ALL - Accor Live Limitless | Member rates, status benefits |
| Hyatt | Hyatt, Andaz, Park Hyatt, Thompson | World of Hyatt | Member rate, free night awards, suite upgrades |
How to Identify the Chain
The Google Hotels snapshot often includes the chain name:
"Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 by IHG"→ IHG"Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok"→ Marriott"Hilton Munich City"→ Hilton"Novotel Muenchen City"→ Accor- No chain suffix → likely independent (check their website directly)
Independent Hotels
For independent/boutique hotels (like Haus im Tal):
- Check their website for promo codes (often shown in banners or a dedicated "Offers" page)
- Look for "Book Direct" incentives (best price guarantee, free extras)
- Check if they offer a newsletter signup discount
- Mention the hotel name + "promo code" in a web search if the site doesn't show any
Present the Comparison
After checking, present a direct vs OTA comparison:
## Haus im Tal — Booking Comparison
| Source | Room Type | Price/Night | Total (3 nights) | Notes |
|--------|-----------|-------------|-------------------|-------|
| Booking.com | Downtown Cozy | €183 | €549 | Free cancellation |
| Hotel direct | Downtown Cozy | €175 | €525 | Use code HIT24 for 5% off |
| Hotel direct (with code) | Downtown Cozy | €166 | €499 | Best price |
Tip: Always remind the user that you cannot complete the booking — just provide the link and any promo codes found.
Deep-Dive Reference
See references/interaction-patterns.md for:
- Full annotated walkthrough (every command + expected output)
- Location autocomplete failure modes and recovery
- Date picker calendar navigation
- Guest & room selector (the most complex widget)
- Filters (stars, price, amenities, cancellation)
- Scrolling for more results
- Hotel detail drill-down with provider price comparison
- Direct booking & promo check workflow