In Reply to: booking posted by bali tiger on Friday, 21. September 2007 at 06:56 Bali Time:
In the past I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you as I've always booked directly with hotels via email or website. However in planning our latest trip, all the prices that I've been quoted by directly emailing the hotels are considerably more expensive than what I can get either through online agents or even through a travel agent here in Oz. Even when I advise them that I've been offered a cheaper rate!
So I guess all I'm saying is: by all means shop around, and do contact the hotel directly, but don't assume that you will always get the lowest price by cutting out the middle man.