Maria

I am planning a trip to Italy next May, and am very grateful for the information that has been posted in this board. Thank you all in advance. I am now ready to make my hotel reservations, but am finding that some of my top choices are already booked. Based on some information on this forum I came across the website venere.it. It seems that I can make reservations on this website, but don't know whether I can trust it. Has anyone had any experience reserving rooms through this website. I would greatly appreciate your input.

Rex

I have used this site - - www.italyhotel.com - - at least a dozen times - - never with any problems or disappointments, including for cancellations - - which might actually be the more important test!

Carol

We used www.venere to check out hotels, but found that if we contacted the hotels directly, the price was better, had no problems booking directly via e-mail.

Jim Mohundro

I used www.venere.it to book rooms in both Florence and Verona last June and it worked out very well. Our rooms were ready and there were no unpleasant surprises.

Paulo

I've used them in the past with no problems whatsoever. The site referred to by Rex, www.itayhotel.com belongs actually to the same organization, with the server being located in he US (should load faster than the www.venere.it when accessed in the US). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Maira

Hi Maria---- same as Carol. Contacted a number of hotels listed on venere.it directly. <BR> <BR>P.S. Been to Guayama many times. Mi hermana vive en Lajas.

judy

Hi Maria, Have used and felt very comfortable with venere.it...also used it for cancellations with no problems...FYI, Judy

Ellen

Add me to the list of those who have used this system and had no difficulties! All worked out fine. <BR>Ellen

Ed

Venere is good source of information. It seems reliable in making bookings. <BR> <BR>However, my esperience is very strongly that you're much better off booking directly with the hotel. <BR> <BR>Reasons? See www.twenj.com/tipshotel.htm <BR> <BR>Ed

Rex

No doubt that booking directly with the hotel can be advantageous. In fact, I think one of the best things about www.italyhotel.com is its free fax service - - it can help you get communication started directly with a hotel. <BR> <BR>Many hotels will respond to an inquiry fax by sending you a brochure by regular mail (ask for this specifically, if you want it). Especially if you are planning a trip well in advance, I find this very helpful as an indicator of their "attitude" - - towards customer service in general, and catering to overseas prospects. Some will not respind, and that may not be a bad thing - - some really charming places just have no customer service "infrastructure". Conversely, some places have a very highly developed and slick marketing "system" - - and this may indicate what kind of a place it is. You might like such a place, or it might not be to your tase. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Maria

Thank you all very much. Your comments have certainly alleviated my concerns. <BR>This board is such a pleasure.

debbie

Hi Maria, <BR> <BR>I had just the opposite experience of most people responding to your question. I used venere.it to research hotels first and then emailed the hotel directly. The hotel came back with a rate of L260,000 per night. When I checked the availability with venere.it, the rate was L160,000 per night. The hotel accepted this rate and sent me a confirmation. So, it wouldn't hurt to email the hotel directly and compare the price to the venere.it rate. It never hurts to shop around. Have a great trip!

troll

Ed, <BR> <BR>Another nice plug for your website. When are you going to cut that out? Maybe if goddess Elvira or know-it-all Wes would suggest it, then you would stop.

Stan

I must admit they had me going there I actually thought this was a genuine enquiry so I am very disappointed to see that it was just a plug and that I and others too have been duped. I think its outrageous and an apology from venere might be in order. <BR> <BR>Stan

Gina

Stan, I think you misunderstood. "Troll" is complaining about Ed's posting a link to *his* Web site--the 'Travels with Ed and Julie,' site, www.twenj.com, which I have bookmarked and find to be a really helpful resource. (And no, "troll," I'm not Ed in disguise.) Venere didn't start this thread, and it's not a plug. <BR>

stan

Oops sorry everyone. Not so up to date with this internet jargon. But how can we tell if the comments are really independent. I have seen one obvious plug for a hotel in Rome near the Opera building. Thanks and apologies once again