I am planning to visit Paris, Italy and London on 24 July 2007. I found 2 website offers very good rate for hotels in Paris ie. http://Lastminute.com http://www.deals.hotels.com. Can anyone tell me whether this 2 sites are realiable for hotel bookings ?

Assuming you've checked with the hotel's websites directly, go ahead and book if the savings are significant. Then, e-mail, fax, phone the hotels to verify your reservations.

Like djkbooks said, if you are concerned about any third-party agency, just reconfirm with the hotel. Both of these are reputable agencies that have been around for a long time.

In the rare case the hotel doesn't have the reservation, which has never happened to me, most of the time it's the hotel's fault for not picking up their faxes or emails. You can forestall this by getting the hotel to confirm the booking.

Thanks djkbooks and WillTravel for your help. I am in the midst of sending an email to the hotel. WillTravel, I read your posting for your trip to Paris. How's your stay in Mercure Monty ? Did you book through this website the last time ? or any other website ?

We liked the Mercure Monty. I posted my review here, further down the thread:
http://tinyurl.com/28ytt5
In short, it's a good hotel in a good neighborhood, and my only minor complaints are that the lobby is not as nice as some I've seen and the rooms are a bit small.

I booked it through Mercurehotels.com , which is the brand name site.

For my upcoming Berlin visit, I found a cheaper rate for our preferred hotel (also a Mercure) at www.hotels.de than through the Mercure site. Even though the Mercure site has a best rate guarantee, there are lots of holes in that guarantee.

Because you are going to Paris in July, you might want to consider air conditioning issues. The Mercure Monty says it has A/C on its web site, but we obviously did not have cause to try it out in February.

Among the various web sites I've used for hotels in Europe, all without problems, are:
www.booking.com
www.priceline.com
www.hrs.de
www.octopustravel.com
www.bestwestern.com
www.hotelclub.com

What hotels are you considering?

Laterooms.com also .

2 other sites. ratestogo= a last minute (within 3 week site) which often has good rates and venere.

Thanks all for your response. I am still in the midst of serching through the website recommended for a room. Willtravel, unfortunately Mecure Monty Opera rate has increased to > Euro 110. Can any recommend any good hotel, easily accessible to public transport for around Euro 60-80 per night for double bed. Thanks

If you don't want anything special in hotels in Paris, try :

http://www.paris35.com/