Several people have mentioned that the best hotel prices are those booked in advance online. It would be great to get recommendations of sites people have used.

Where are you going?

Vietnam. looking for an agent to handle the booking in Hanoi for the Metropole.

Try the hotel website first. Then check with www.vietnamstay.com. We got our best rate at the Metropole by booking directly. but we got good rates at other VN hotels with vietnamstay. You might try a few other booking engines such as asiahotels.com. Depending on time of year and location, rates can vary wildly. Always pays to check at least 3-4 sources.

We used vietnamstay, but we got more efficient service from directrooms.com. It is based in Thailand. It isn't very personal, but very efficient, and all the hotels were as described in their postings. And they take credit cards, which vietnamstay didn't. Prices might be lower at vietnamstay, though.