Room Rates

You can always ask. But they do not have to match it. Often the hotel will wholesale a block of rooms to a booking agency to sell at any price. They may even have an agreement that prevents them from matching the booking price. Lots of variations and it is the same in the US. Think how hotwire works.

Always be sure to closely read the fine print on room rates - many hotels/B&Bs offer deep discounts for advanced reservations that are NON-refundable. And "Non" means no excuses. I haven't found any real advantage between booking directly with a hotel vs a booking site. Many small places can be hard to get a hold of by email and people sometimes report hassles getting cancelation confirmations directly from hotels.

I use booking.com frequently, have had very few problems and they were corrected by booking.com or by the property. I sometimes book directly on a return visit, especially if it's a small property, and the rate has been the same. I like using booking.com so I can give a good review (only recent guests are invited to review the properties).

Thanks Zoe, It is good to know I can trust Booking.com. Some of their rates are very good. Bob

You're welcome. Read reviews carefully for clues (limited front desk staff hours, meager breakfasts, wifi spottt) for things that are important to you. Also google street view to see the property's surroundings.

Hmmm...I have found just the opposite. We will be in Italy late may-June or 2 weeks. Every hotel I have reserved had a better rate for me if I emailed them direct and asked for what I wanted at their best rate. None were non refundabl or required prepayment of any kind. Everyone , however was more expensive on booking.come, Venere, Expedia etc. I was told the hotels, BB's all had to pay a fee to a booking service, basically advertising, so booking through he hotel direct would always be cheaper

Agree with Zoe re Booking.com Both for reservations and reliability of hotel reviews. Trip Advisor lets anyone post, and doesn't require a verified "stay" for a review. So, you don't know if a bad review is coming from the competition or a good review is coming from a friend/relative. I've never had a problem with any reservation made through booking.com. For hotels that I return to year after year, I try to book directly with them if they have a good cancellation policy and there's no price difference, because these hotels are privately owned, and I also would prefer they get the $$

There's no disadvantage to using booking.com. You'll get a confirmation right away over e-mail and there should be no hassle involved. You have to read the fine print as all hotels have different rules regarding cancellations. You shouldn't feel at all bad about your money going to "some big web site" - that big web site is providing a service the hotel is voluntarily willing to pay for in order to get visibility and to fill up rooms. So it's hardly some evil third party predator who's skimming off the top - the hotels are getting something for a price (better a filled room for 70% cut than a room sitting empty). The hotel won't undercut booking's rate because I don't think booking would sign a contract just to be in direct competition with the hotel. So I wouldn't count on getting a better deal - maybe a match, but not better.

Give it a shot. If you don't ask, they can't say yes.

I got my room in Rome Hotel Grifo for $153/night booking directly with the hotel not nonrefundable or prepaid, just CC to hold...on booking.com the exact room was $178/night.non refundable. Our Florence stay at B&B Residenza Dei Pucci $149/night direct through them, free cancellation CC just to hold res....booking.com $185/night non refundable for same room I think it pays to check both ways