i have booked italy hotel reservation directly with the hotel. (being rate is a little cheaper then booking with online agent) found that neither of the hotels will charge my card and will take payment when i check out.
I dont want any mix up when i get there.
is it best to book directly with hotel or should i go thru online site like orbitz, expedia..etc

I don't get it: What is the problem???

You have a reservation, probably with a confirmation number. If you have no confirmation number, print a copy of the reservation confirmation email.

It is not unusual for Italian hotels and pensions to ask for a credit card to guarantee the reservation, w/o charging the card in advance of your arrival.

If you don't show, you will likely be charged for one or more nights. As you would be in N.A.

How is there less chance of "mix-up" when you deal with a 3rd party, such as Orbitz?

The only time I've ever had a problem with a reservation in Italy (car rental) was when I reserved through a 3rd party, FWIW.

If given the option, I would always choose to deal direct with the hotel, especially a small hotel.

I agree. I don't see what the problem is. Just make sure you know if they will take the credit card for actual payment or if they want cash.

thanks..just curious np.i made reservation did give my credit card did get email response but no reservation nbr...normally i have gone thru orbitz etc and paid in full before trip....thanks

sorry i should have stated in my post that by mix up i meant no reservation found being there was no resevation nbr given..

I usually book directly with hotels in Europe and always carry a print-out of the email thread reflecting my original inquiry through my acceptance of the hotel's offer. The hotel's offer usually states its cancellation policy which I am agreeing to when I accept the offer.

I don't think I ever had a reservation number when I booked directly with a hotel via email. The email telling you they can accommodate you is the confirmation of the booking. Bring the final email with you showing they have received your credit card info and all is confirmed.

I also booked directly with hotels for our trip to Italy via email. About 3-4 weeks before our departure, I emailed each hotel to reconfirm our reservations. I also advised them of our approximate arrival time. The hotels seemed to appreciate the contact. For them, it confirmed that we were coming and for us, it confirmed that we would have a place to stay! We carried a print-out of the reservation/confirmation emails.

We've never encountered a problem. Hopefully, neither will you!

Whether a hotel provides a reservation number or charge first night, etc. depends on the hotel's booking policy. The larger hotels tend to provide booking numbers.

The lack of the booking number or the lack of taking the deposit does not deter me from staying in Italy. It is a practice one would need to get used to. I do confirm about a month after making the reservation and again a month before arrival. I have caught reservation mistakes in the process.

The most recent reservation mistake was when I booked through hotels.com. They gave me a confirmation number and charged me for the full stay but when I called the actual hotel, they had no record of my reservation.

The lesson is that the having the booking number or taking the deposit is not an assurance of a reservation. Getting directly confirmations from the hotels count a lot more.