Ian

I plan to book accomodation (B&B) in Italy this summer. A number of posters mentioned this site. Could you tell me if it is reliable.<BR>Also, on some listings I notice a big diference in the price quoted by venere and the price that is posted on the B&B/Hotel web site that is linked in from www.venere.com.<BR>Can anyone share their experiences?

Rex

I have used Venere a dozen or more times for inquiries, bookings and cancellations (which might be the more important test). They have never failed me - - though sometimes inquiries have gone unanswered.<BR><BR>&lt;&lt;listings I notice a big diference in the price quoted by venere&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Was Venere cheaper? or more expensive? Some others here have reported that Venere is more expensive; perhaps I have not comparison shopped as carefully as I could have/should have.<BR><BR>Obviously if booking directly with the property is cheaper, you would undoubtedly choose to do that. If Venere is cheaper, I have no reason to think you will get any nasty surprises.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

top

topping, for Ian...<BR>

charles

Hi Ian,<BR>I'm in Italy for 2-3 months a year. I have tried to book many times with venere and often(always) is more expensive. Now I book with an operator that gives me cheaper price.

Sherry

I never booked through them. But the hotel we are staying in (Rome) is more expensive on their site. We booked directly.

Annie

We used them for reservations in Siena and Florence, and found the rates to be the same as those posted on the hotel web sites.

charles

Hi sherry and Annie,<BR>sometimes the price on Venere is the same that directly on the web site of the hotel and sometimes more expensive, but exist operators that quote a better price because they colaborate with the hotel.

sister

I like to look at 'venere' for hotel pictures. Then I book direct. I notice the prices are more expensive. Find a hotel you like on this site...then book directly (many hotels have their own web pages so you don't have to call or fax long distance, by the way)

Larry

It varies from hotel to hotel. I've found better prices on other sites or dealing directly and I have found really good prices on Venere...like Metropole in Venice for 119 euros

ellen

I used venere.com and itwg.com for hotels in Italy with no problem. There are some hotels that use venere exclusively; they don't have their own website.

Mariarosa

Hi Ian! I made two reservations with venere, and had no problems. Would use them again in the future. I contacted one of the hotels and the rate they quoted me directly was higher than the venere rate. Others have had different experiences, so I would check both ways.

Astrid

I don't know why anyone would use a booking service. You can always contact the hotel directly. <BR><BR>If you use a booking service, there is one more party involved in the transaction and more complications if a problem exists. Unlike the hotel, internet agencies have no one to call and speak to. There is no BBB for internet companies like rthere usually is for local businesses. You credit card number goes off to who knows where and your personal information gets put on marketing lists.<BR><BR>In spite of claims, I've never found a cheaper deal in a booking service. Sometimes they appear cheaper, but the hotel usually has a bottom line that they will match. For example, hotels may give a cash discount that makes the rate the same or lower. Also, I've gotten free airport transportation and free meals from hotels that would not have been included booking through a service. <BR><BR>If you contact the hotel directly, you can ask for particular type room, bed, view, etc. Most booking srvices don't allow this.<BR><BR>Some booking agencies are reputable but there are plenty that are not. Do you really want to spend the time sorting them out? Performing due diligence takes a lot of time and effort. <BR><BR>I also object to booking services on general grounds. They parasites on the travel business. They ad no value, just take their cut. You don't need them. The cut they take drives up prices for everyone.<BR>

Rex

It's not hard to envision a booking service contracting with the hotel for pricing that the hotel chooses not to offer on its own. Mostly, I am very impressed with the ease of window shopping www.venere.com - - for less experienced travelers - - and we were all that at one time or another - - www.venere.com makes it very easy to feel confortable with a spectrum of choices - - and QUICKLY leaf through what places have what availability.<BR><BR>I believe that www.orbitz.com has often had fares that the airlines themselves couldn't or wouldn't offer on their web sites or over the phone. Unfortunately, I fear that this was something that happened when Orbitz was new, and not so much any more. The same principles might apply to a service like www.venere.com - - in the past, and now.<BR><BR>I would never argue against checking with the hotel directly as well. The benefits you list are not trivial.<BR>