Has anyone had dealings with web based booking agencies for hotel accommodation in Venice?<BR><BR>Any recommendations?<BR><BR>Cheers

Although opinions do differ here, I have generally a very high impression of www.venere.com - - I don't think of it as a "booking agency" - - almost just like the website for the hotels themselves, though I'm sure it is more accurate to view it as an agency or association for the participant hotels listed there (literally thousands, for all of Italy). You can window shop, book with confidence and trust that cancellations there will work. I have used it 10-15 times for places all over Italy (not just Venice).<BR><BR>The web site www.itwg.com is also okay. Fewer hotels; less polished web site.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex

guestinitaly.com<BR><BR>We used them for a hotel in Venice; pleased with both the hotel and the service.

Although opinions do differ here, I have generally a very high impression of www.venere.com - - I don't think of it as a "booking agency" - - almost just like the website for the hotels themselves, though I'm sure it is more accurate to view it as an agency or association for the participant hotels listed there (literally thousands, for all of Italy). You can window shop, book with confidence and trust that cancellations there will work. I have used it 10-15 times for places all over Italy (not just Venice).<BR><BR>The web site www.itwg.com is also okay. Fewer hotels; less polished web site.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex

Try charmingitaly.com. It's sort of another venere.com, whereby it gives details of the hotels, including rates, but puts you in direct contact with the hotel. I just booked the Art Deco in Venice for early May through them. I've also found it helpful to compare their info side-by-side with venere.com.