Originally Posted by
JPDM
Nearly impossible. I'd still book directly with the hotel and benefit from their lowest price guarantee by getting them to match a third party price plus an additional discount.
I have done this in the past (with that chain specifically) but it has been years since I was able to find a price lower than what they have on their website.
Also when you book on a third party website, most hotels will not give you your points.
As an example, Starwood BRG team will not match a Ctrip price despite Starwood having the most lenient policy. I cannot recall any western hotel brand giving me a best rate guarantee on a Chinese travel site price. They have usually cited "consolidator pricing".
As moondog stated, it is not too unusual to find a cheaper rate on a Chinese travel site, lower than the hotel/hotel brand website.