Hoberman among backers as Blink Booking launches in UK

Hotel booking application Blink Booking has launched in the UK after becoming established in seven other European countries.

Hotel booking application Blink Booking has launched in the UK after becoming established in seven other European countries.

The start-up business says it aims to revolutionise how people book and pay for their accommodation by operating exclusively via mobile devices to book premium hotels at the last minute.

Blink claims to offer the best nightly deals each day from 12 noon at handpicked four and five star hotels in destinations in 40 cities across Europe, such as Paris, Milan, Barcelona and London.

The app currently serves London, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Cardiff in the UK with more cities to be added. Accommodation includes luxury Durley House in London’s Knightsbridge, The George Hotel in Edinburgh and The Royal Hotel in Cardiff.

New users are being offered £15 of free credit towards their first booking on sign up, and an additional £15 credit for recommending the service to friends who subsequently make a booking.

The company has seen its app downloaded more than 170,000 times in Spain alone since being launch last November. It has attracted the participation of over 500 of Europe’s best hotels.

Blink has attracted $2.5 million in funding from prominent US and European angels and venture capitalists including PROFounders whose investors include lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman and Andy Phillipps, founder of Active Hotels.

Co-founder Rebeca Minguela said: “Existing online booking services remain search-driven on mobile devices.

“With travel now so last second, people don’t want hundreds of options, but a curated selection of premium accommodations at the best prices for easy, immediate booking. That’s exactly what Blink delivers.”

Investor Sean Seton-Rogers said: “Consumer buying behaviour is driving exciting changes in the holiday market as mobile commerce and same day hotel bookings become increasingly interlinked.

“Blink offers hotels and travellers an easy and fast way to stay in the best accommodation, for the best price. It’s a simple idea – but the best ones always are because they deliver what the consumer really needs.”