What is your experience in booking a hotel through its own website rather than someplace like hotels.com or travelocity? I am concerned about price, and worried that I won't get the correct reservation when I get there. They cannot confirm no smoking or quiet rooms. Thank you.

Many hotels will not guarantee bedding or location. Many also have guarantee that their website will have lowest price versus on-line travel agents.

I usually window shop on expedia et al and then book at hotel website. Why have a middle man which can jmust complicate matters if you need to cancel.

Only exceptio0n is sometimes I can find a room thru

(continuation of above) thru on-line travel agent when hotel lists as no vacancy - no idea how that happens.

That's right.We tried to get a room at the Boston Chandler hotel and failed.We then tried Hotels.com and got a room in the same hotel.Paul

Some websites have access to blocks of rooms at hotels. So the hotel can be sold out and there are still 5 available rooms, that belong to Travelocity or Hotwire (whatever).
In a perfect world, hotels would always sell out because it allows the online agency to get the highest possible rate for those rooms.
Supply and demand.
Shop for the best rate and book it... as long as it is on some known online agency you should be ok.
Don't forget the telephone. You can sometimes get a rate directly when you call.

I've actually had the best luck booking on the hotel's own website. I always compare, but prefer to book directly to make specific requests. I have used expedia, and some other booking site on occasion, but rarely.

I've noticed also when you join the hotel's 'preferred customer' program (all the ones I've ever signed up for were free), and put in for whatever applicable discounts you may have (like AAA). Usually when I do this, the price is less than anything I see on the booking sites, or even Kayak where they do the comparing of all available rates that they have access to. ALso, always check to see if the hotel website has any 'special offers'. Even if you call the hotel directly sometimes you have to ask them about discounts or specials. They rarely volunteer that info. I also always ask them "is that the best rate you can give me?".

ALso, it's important to read the fine print, some special rates on sites like expedia, are paid when booked, or have less flexible cancellation policies. Even booking directly wiht the hotel, the same may apply.

I check both and then almost always book through hotels' own web sites.

Doesn't matter which website you use, it's advisable to call the hotel directly to re-confirm. You don't want any "surprises" on vacation.

I have experience with phone reservations, hotels' websites, Expedia, Quikbook. I think on each website there is a space for "preferences" - where you type in your requests like "hold for late arrival".

There is no guarantee to get the desired room type in any hotel!

Some large agencies like Expedia block a set of rooms.

There is no guarantee to get the desired room type in any hotel!

Oh, no! I guess this means that I'm not going to get the specific room types I've been promised on my upcoming trip to Italy.

In the past I have had very good luck getting the type of room I want--size, bedding, view, etc.

Now it's a whole new ballgame--apparently.

happytrails, you'll get the room type you paid for, of course. If you paid more for a room with a view, you'll get a room with a view. If you paid more for a room on a high floor, you'll get that. Within the category you paid for, though, you usually aren't promised anything.

"Oh, no! I guess this means that I'm not going to get the specific room types I've been promised on my upcoming trip to Italy."

Don't panic yet, the laws in Italy may be different from the US laws, surprise

Even in the US, you will most likely receive what you've requested, it's like "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone" in the restaurants, but have you ever seen anybody refused unless the restaurant is full?

Same in hotels. They are always happy to oblige if they have rooms.

I spend three months a year in hotels rooms and virtually always get what I asked for. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

I guess I have to travel more I didn't get what requested twice. But it was minor, not worth mentioning.

Sometimes on Fodor's people complain, they get smoking instead of non-smoking, facing a noisy street instead of pool view. But not often.

Sometimes on Fodor's people complain, they get smoking instead of non-smoking

Which is why I stay in Marriotts or other hotels that have a strictly no-smoking policy!

I do a lot of research... here, on trip advisor, I use expedia to check our the rooms and rates, and then I look at the website of the propoerty.

When I narrow it down, I find it best to CALL the property... I've always gotten a lower rate than anything published and the personal contact is nice. If I speak with Stacy... then when I get there, I ask for her and make the connection. It makes for a nice stay and I've always been well taken care of this way!I also call the hotel when I"m on my way aif I need to ask for early check in... and it always works!

Hotels have to pay BIG commissions to Expedia, hotels.com, etc. I always book direct because my $100 room results in $100 to the hotel vs. the $70 they make off of Expedia. Guess who gets the better room? I do, since the hotel is making more off me.

I always prefer using the hotel's own website, but I too have had the experience of finding the room sold out there but available on a booking site. In Budapest a few years ago I found a hotel I wanted that booked up elsehwere but Orbitz still had it open (for a good price) so I booked it and had no problems.