handfordr

I think there is a misuse of the word consolidators here. In my vocabulary, consolidators are those that buy up blocks of rooms in advance and get very low rates on the basis they have to pay the hotel whether they fill the rooms or not. Nearly always only the big chain hotels go in for this.
In these cases the hotelier has no control over the prices or knowledge of the prices being offered by the consolidator.
In these cases you're normally always better off going through the consolidator rather than direct to the hotel.

Because of this most of the 'best price guarantees' offered by Holiday Inn etc are worthless.

For smaller hotels its more fruitful to approach the hotels direct. Hotels using the likes of Venere.com or Active Hotels pay about 10-15% commission so the hotel will often give you a discount as they don't have to pay this.

In summary try all avenues, sometimes you'll get the best price direct, sometimes not.

djkbooks

<<For smaller hotels its more fruitful to approach the hotels direct. Hotels using the likes of Venere.com or Active Hotels pay about 10-15% commission so the hotel will often give you a discount as they don't have to pay this.>>

This is not necessarily true. I just booked a small hotel in Paris through Venere. The Expedia, Hotels.com, Orbitz, etc. rate was $181/night PLUS fees, an e-mail from the hotel offered the same type room for €165. Rate through Venere was €130.

AJPeabody

I think Hassan is spamming us today.