I done it both ways and my preference is to research locations and prices, but book with the hotel directly, unless the price is outrageously different. Case in point, the rate I obtained for a hotel in Amsterdam ($80/double) could not be matched when I called them directly. I booked online; not a hitch. Same with a hotel in Nice. So, I don't believe the only ewxception is Priceline.

By the way, good luck with the book.

sorry, JOR, forgot about this conversation--please excuse me for not replying. Yes, I read your post, and I certainly believe that the anecdote you relate happened just as you say. However, I cannot negate my own experiences just because yours have been different. I have almost always found websites like hotels.com (including hotels.com) to offer higher rates than the hotels themselves.

And no, I am not a travel agent---did you read MY post? I said I wouldn't use one again, after we'd overpaid for a couple of trips using an agency to book them, including our upcoming trip to Alaska this summer.