Hotel search tool trivago.co.uk has analysed searches made on its iPhone and Android mobile apps over the past 12 months to identify key differences in search and travel preferences.
While iOS users prefer popular, more expensive locations, Android users tend to opt for cheaper and more exotic destinations. A hotel swimming pool is the top priority for iOS users, whereas Android users value free WiFi and breakfast.
Top 10 Searches:
| iOS | Av. Price 2014 | Android | Av. Price 2014 | ||
| 1 | London | £149 | 1 | London | £149 |
| 2 | Manchester | £92 | 2 | Kuala Lumpur | £46 |
| 3 | Amsterdam | £111 | 3 | Amsterdam | £111 |
| 4 | Dubai | £121 | 4 | Singapore | £100 |
| 5 | Dublin | £84 | 5 | Manchester | £92 |
| 6 | Birmingham | £67 | 6 | Dubai | £121 |
| 7 | Edinburgh | £108 | 7 | Edinburgh | £108 |
| 8 | Liverpool | £75 | 8 | Dublin | £84 |
| 9 | Paris | £130 | 9 | Birmingham | £67 |
| 10 | New York City | £190 | 10 | Bangkok | £42 |
| Average: | £113 | Average: | £92 |
Data is based on app searches over the past 12 months. Average price is the average price per night for a standard double room during 2014.
The top searches show how iPhone users generally prefer traditionally popular destinations closer to home, such as London, Edinburgh and Paris. The average price of these destinations during 2014 was £113, compared to £92 for Android users, who tend to opt for more exotic and cheaper destinations, such as Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
The average clicked price for iPhone users over the past 12 months was £108, which is 27 per cent more than the average for Android users, at £85 per night.
Pricing Breakdown:
The pricing breakdown graph supports the theory that iPhone users tend to spend more, with only 18 per cent searching for hotels in the cheapest price bracket (under £50), compared to 33 per cent of Android users. In each of the three highest price brackets, iPhone searches are noticeably higher than Android.
Most Popular Filter Options:
| Filter | iOS | Android |
| WiFi | 30% | 44% |
| Spa | 27% | 27% |
| Beach | 22% | 22% |
| Breakfast | 19% | 25% |
| Pool | 59% | 51% |
Data is based on the percentage of users selecting each filter, when one of the top filter options is selected (WiFi, Spa, Beach, Breakfast, Pool). It is possible to select more than one filter option at once.
When one of the top filters is selected, the Pool was the most popular in both iOS (59 per cent) and Android (51 per cent). Android users were more likely to select Breakfast (25 per cent compared to 19 per cent for iOS) and WiFi (44 per cent compared to 30 per cent). The Spa and Beach filters held the same popularity in both Android and iOS.
Denise Bartlett, head of UK public relations for Trivago, said: “Over the past year, we have seen usage of our mobile apps double in the UK. With mobile becoming an increasingly important presence in the online travel industry, it is really interesting to note these key differences between iOS and Android users when searching for a hotel.
“The price differences are the most striking here – with Android owners searching for hotels which are on average £23 more expensive per night than iPhone owners.”
