I think their point was that if the hotel website is less convenient than booking.com and doesn't give you any benefit: why do it on principle? Yes, if booking

I think their point was that if the hotel website is less convenient than booking.com and doesn't give you any benefit: why do it on principle? Yes, if booking directly would give you better service it makes sense to go through more effort. But if they are both shit, why not do the thing that's easier and has the information up front.