They require payment at the time of booking, and I am just a bit cautious.
Thank you.
A

Yes, be very cautious!!

I prefer to book hotels where they do not require payment and we are able to cancel reservations.

I recently booked one hotel through them, and everything about the process makes me quite nervous. The billing was through a company with a different name in Istanbul (neither I nor my destination are near there), and their web process was very odd.

When it gets closer I'm going to be doublechecking with my hotel that the reservation really exists, that's for sure.

I have booked with them no problem you need to take your invoice or voucher what ever they called it. In fact at the time the cheapest rate for the hotel ( last year) was with these. I would have no problem in using them again.

Thank you. I think I am not all the comfortable with it. Anybody else has had a positive experience?
A

I meant: all that comfortable with it.
a

Yes, I've come across them and have decided much the same as you. I get the feeling that it isn't hard to get reservations in Turkey by phoning a few days ahead or just turning up. That's what I'm going to do in August rather than paying ahead and sending credit card details to an uncertain destination!

Booked my dad the Four Points Sheraton in Cologne. Yes, they charged the card immediately, but the rate is quoted in USD with taxes and fees all inclusive.

On the credit card bill, it just says Otel.com Istanbul, Turkey, $120. Just like a US purchase. No international exchange/transaction fees.

As long as you're okay with prepaying, I think it's a a fine and legit booking agent.

It looks like the deals on the otel.com site are very similar to the deals on the gtahotels.com site, which is frequently referred to by various Fodorites. They are probably related, but if it makes you feel better, consider using gtahotels.com and trying to find the same deal.

Also, the confirmation email came right away with a link to a printable voucher (in fact, I can still see that online just now, 3 months after the trip). On it are all the cancellation information, worldwide and US/Canada customer service numbers, etc...

Very professional, all properly done.

Personally, I won't have problem using them again to book.

WillTravel - I think they are the same company. gta's New York phone number is 212-594-8043, otel's 212-594-8045. I doubt it's a coincidence.

rkkwan, I agree, having spent a minute looking into it. You can see all these inter-related companies here:
http://www.aboutus.org/Gtahotels.com

GTA, that's the company that was on my credit card billing. The credit card company blocked it (grr) necessitating a LONG phone call (hint -- on a computerized voice system that won't let you talk to a person, try shouting HELP HELP HELP very distinctly -- if they have voice recognition on the numbers they'll probably catch that too). Capital One plays some kinda lousy hold music. And then I had to go around the block with GTA/Otel again.

But I'm glad to hear they're legitimate!

Thank you, I might check it out then.
Agnes