cruiseluv

Has anybody dealt / booked through this agency? If so, what was your experience?

I am currently looking to book the Hotel Ponte Sisto in Rome in August. The best rate they offer me for a double for single use is Euros210. This booking agency is offering the same room at Euros 105!!!
I had never heard of this agency but in a prior Fodor's message somebody mentioned it so I went and checked it out and sure enough , the price is lower!

I have never booked through a booking agency before and was under the impression( mistaken?)that dealing directly with the hotel would result in the best rates.

Would appreciate any feedback from any of you that has had any experience with this booking agency.

Thanks!

carolll

Rest assured that ReservationItaly.com is a bonefide travel agency. I have used them previously and once again for this coming July, also for the Ponte Sisto. Their price bested the hotel website and any other price I could find on the internet.

The hotel, if this is your first visit, is quite lovely and well located.

Carol L

cruiseluv

Carol,

Thank you for your comments. It is reassuring to know!

Neopolitan

But you are absolutely sure that the hotel is quoting per room for a double, and this agency isn't quoting per person?

Neopolitan

Fodors rule # 137:
"Never post after drinking a lot of wine with dinner."

OK, I see you say it is for a single! Duh.

cruiseluv

Carol,

If you know, do you think you got a worse room by booking through this agency or are all standard rooms pretty much the same?

Thanks for any info

carolll

Cruiseluv:
You ask a really good question. We stayed at Ponte Sisto once, booking through a different company than ReservationItaly.com. The following year, I found ReservationItaly online and used their services. We got almost the exact same room, the only difference being location within the hotel.
The rooms are on the small size although the bathrooms are very ample. We have stayed in many different hotels in Rome but have never had more than a small sized room...seems that Roman real estate is valuable!
Carol

cruiseluv

Hi Carol,

Thanks for your response. The reason I asked is that it had been my experience in Rome ( at least twice) that "standard" rooms can vary, especially in those hotels in old buildings that have been converted to hotels. One time in the Intercontinental De la Ville first they gave us a nice remodeled room with high ceilings. We then checked out for a few days to go to Florence and when we came back they gave us a room that resembled a broom closet, drab and small. We asked and were told the two rooms had the same rate! So, of course, we asked to be moved. But if I had not stayed in the better one first I would have assumed that all "standard" rooms were the same.

Other times there is a difference in rate but the difference is relatively small and it makes sense to upgrade.

I guess it doesn't hurt to ask if they have a better/ bigger one.

carolll

Cruiseluv:
We did ask last summer for a larger room. As I recall, there are two tiered prices, depending on room size. We weren't willing to pay whatever the larger amount was, so we stayed put. We also asked about a room with a balcony and were told those rooms were smaller than the one assigned to us.
My rough estimate is the room is about 12x15, ample with built in closet, very comfortable bed, good lighting, AC, and nice breakfast. Bathrooms are faced in marble, are spacious and filled with ample towels.
The hotel is well located, should you want to cross over the Ponte Sisto and wander around in Trastevere. It is also about 3 blocks from Campo dei Fiori where fresh fruits and vegetables are sold outdoors each morning...great scenes for photographers!
Carol

cruiseluv

Thanks Carol. I think once we decide on our dates we'll go with Ponte Sisto as my husband seems to like the location and overall the comments about it are very positive.

Have a great time in Italy and when you come back please let us know how it went.

JaneRebecca

I am in the same situation as cruiseluv. I have found a much better rate for a triple room or junior suite at Hotel Ponte Sisto from ReservationsItaly.com. The Hotel's web site quotes 400 Euros per night for a junior suite and ReservationsItaly quotes 300Euros per night. The agency has asked me for a deposit of 300 Euros to be paid now and the balance to the hotel in October.

I am concerned because I have seen hotels disregard a reservation from an agency or give an inferior room. Also, I am sending 300 Euros to an agency that I have never heard of before.

I was considering writing to the hotel and asking them directly for a discounted rate. Of course, I am going during high season in October and that is probably doubtful.

An opinion or experience from more than one person about this agency would be deeply appreciated.

Many thanks, Jane

cruiseluv

Hi Jane,

I completly understand your concern. I did make the reservation through ReservationItaly and I also had to pay one night deposit per room ( we have 3 rooms booked). My trip is in August and I will post back upon my return about my experience( hopefully at the very least I'll have a room!).

In the Tripadvisor hotel reviews there were several posters that had booked the hotel through ReservationItaly and had a good experience.

Good luck!