Need suggestion of reputable internet hotel booking site

[tak2]

I am trying to plan pre and post cruise hotels in Barcelona and Venice for Oct 2005, but big name sites such as expedia and travelocity don't allow bookings beyond July05. One site that does have those dates open is hotelclub.net, but I am not familiar with this company. Appreciate feedbacks on this site, or any other suggestions. Thanks.

[Cruise Junky]

I too searched on Travelocity and Expedia and had no luck. We booked directly with the hotel in Barcelona:

http://www.hotel-atriumpalace.com/eng/locations.html

They don't charge a deposit, and is fully cancellable (is that a word?) up to 24 hours ahead.

[Aussie Gal]

I usually book directly with the hotel but for Venice this year I used
http://www.veniceby.com/

We are staying at the Hotel Metropole but most hotels are listed on this site. The advantage of using them is we have only had to leave them our credit card number and no money has changed hands. I do not like paying up front for any hotel services or tour guides just in case something goes amiss.

Jennie

[tak2]

Good suggestions of hotels. I've been reading the different website reviews and found those two appealing. I came across certain writers saying that they got a good rate booking online, that's why I didn't consider booking directly with the hotels. Do you mind telling me what rate you got from the hotel?

[Cruise Junky]

We paid 130 Euro a night. I just checked, that rate is still available on line.

[tak2]

130 sounds good! Thanks.:D

[humidsue]

Tak2
You can also try www.venere.com (http://www.venere.com). I booked our hotels for this Sept. Rome & Venice and got confirmation from Venere and the hotel directly. Also only had to give a credit card. You also are given a code to cancel within so much time (I did cancel one
reservation and received confirmation of it.) They also have a map so you can select by location. (My prices were slightly higher since we booked our cruise late.)

Also try www.12Bookhotels.com (http://www.12Bookhotels.com) (another recommedation.) They will get you the best price for the number of rooms alotted to that hotel and will confirm with the hotel within a day or two. They do get back to you.

Have a great trip.

Sue

[tak2]

Jennie, veniceby.com had the hotels give me quotes within twelve hours, and prices are less than I anticipated. Thanks.
Sue, both sites you suggested would not book Oct05. Appreciate your reply.
Cruise Junky, I booked Atrium Palace!:) BTW, they asked whether we prefer front or back of hotel, do you know what the difference in view or quietness is? I know the bed configuration is different.

[Cruise Junky]

Don't know about the quietness. I only heard that the back rooms were slightly bigger. We went for a Double at the back as we didn't feel we'd be in our room too much, unless it was to get over jet lag!

[maadimom]

I suggest www.ebookers.com. Don't know about the time frame, but it is a european booking agency that we've used many times. Also, www.tripadvisor.com will help you determine which hotels are the best. You can then do a search for their direct websites.

[HappyTraveling]

Has anyone used www.ratestogo.com (http://www.ratestogo.com) ?

Has anyone encountered any problems with them? :confused:

[ajpack]

Jennie, veniceby.com had the hotels give me quotes within twelve hours, and prices are less than I anticipated. Thanks.
Sue, both sites you suggested would not book Oct05. Appreciate your reply.
Cruise Junky, I booked Atrium Palace!:) BTW, they asked whether we prefer front or back of hotel, do you know what the difference in view or quietness is? I know the bed configuration is different.

I've been trying to book this hotel too, but I can't seem to get through over their website. Did you call them directly?

Anne

[tak2]

Anne,
I just tried their website at www.hotel-atriumpalace.com (http://www.hotel-atriumpalace.com/) and went through 3 out of four steps for booking those dates and did not encounter any problem. Where did you get stuck?
tak

[tak2]

maadimom,
Like many other booking sites, ebookers does not go beyond Aug 05. Thanks for your help anyway.
tak

[ajpack]

Anne,
I just tried their website at www.hotel-atriumpalace.com (http://www.hotel-atriumpalace.com/) and went through 3 out of four steps for booking those dates and did not encounter any problem. Where did you get stuck?
tak

When I click on the little calendar on the left, I get an error message. It doesn't let me get past that point.

[Cruise Junky]

I just tried it and it was fine. Try clicking on the date in the box rather than the calendar, that works to.

[tak2]

Anne,
I just tried clicking on the little calendar and had no problem. You may wish to e-mail them at their address, top right corner of their website. The rate is 130 euros for a double, discounts plus perks for birthdays and anniversaries.
tak

[ajpack]

Thanks for your quick reply. That's exactly what I just did. Hopefully they will have availability.

Anne

[Cruise Junky]

according to their site, there's still 5 rooms left for the 11th - 13th.

[ajpack]

In their email to me they said they had "plenty of rooms" for Oct. 11-13. I sent my credit card info by email and am waiting for a confirmation. I'll let you know what I hear.

Anne

[ajpack]

I tried the website again and it's working fine now. I already sent my info by email, so I'll wait until tomorrow to get my confirmation. If I don't receive it by tomorrow afternoon, I guess I'll do it again on the website.

Anne

[ajpack]

Got the confirmation email from the Atruim Palace this morning---we're booked.

Anne

[Bruin Steve]

I also find www.tripadvisor.com to be a great tool...
Their site ranks the various hotels in each city, links you to user reviews, professional reviews and articles...and has a tool by which you can get quotes through travelocity, hotels.com, expedia and others...which will all pop up in separate windows...

It seems to be the best place to start...

I just made my reservations for Madrid and London and that was the fiirst site I visited...

[ajpack]

I also find www.tripadvisor.com to be a great tool...
Their site ranks the various hotels in each city, links you to user reviews, professional reviews and articles...and has a tool by which you can get quotes through travelocity, hotels.com, expedia and others...which will all pop up in separate windows...

It seems to be the best place to start...

I just made my reservations for Madrid and London and that was the fiirst site I visited...
The problem I was running into was the dates are for Oct. 2005 and none of the "regular" booking sites book that far in advance. There was a glitch in the hotel's website--just for my computer---no one else's. I finally got the reservation!!

Anne