Booking directly with hotel

I am wondering if people have experience with booking directly with hotels as opposed to booking travel packages i.e. air/hotel/transfers AI etc.

In Canada, it is easier and cheaper usually to book a package but you don't always get offered beachfront or oceanfront rooms. It seems that the best way to do this is to contact the hotel directly. I witnessed one occasion at a hotel in Negril in which the traveller's reservation was lost and the person was asked to pay a room until it could be sorted out. It was late at night and the traveller really had no choice. I wonder if this is just an exception or if others have had the same problem and what recourse you might have.

I would like to book my travel separately in order to get the exact number of days I want and the place I want but am a bit nervous.

Any comments?

Thanks

Shelley

I always book directly with the hotel/guest house/whatever. You will not pay more than booking a package, it's a myth. I can 100% always put my trip together for the same or less than I could book with Expedia or something like that.

The larger resorts wholesale a certain number of rooms to be booked by travel agents. In the case of larger resorts, a travel agent is the way to go. Smaller resorts can't afford to wholesale any rooms, so you might as well book with the hotel/resort directly.

In 16 trips to Negril, I have never booked a package deal. As you know flight prices vary day to day and I can get a better deal by being diligent and watching flight prices daily until I think they are at a low point, then book the airfare.

Hope this info helps.
Jah bless

We live in Ontario and book through Negril One Stop. We stay at Coco LaPalm and also book our transfers or rental car with them. Their rates also include for this hotel Taxes and room tax. Only drawback is that your room # is not guaranteed, the type of room is. If you book direct with CCLP you will get the room requested but for us the savings are too big to ignore. Not sure how their rates compare for other hotels but worth checking it out. Hope this helps.

Beachbums, Cocolapalm is the resort that we were looking at. We stayed there a few years ago after Westjet lost our travel reservation at Rooms (ugh). The first room they had us in was along the side where the gift shop is, but closer to the road. The room had no glass windows, just shutters, and the road traffic was extremely annoying. They then moved us to a nicer quieter room along the same side but with glass windows. It was a spectacular room. I would like to reserve the beachfront rooms or even the honeymoon suit (married for 23 years lol), but cannot do that unless you book direct. Are you usually satisfied with your room assignment when you get it?

I absolutely love this resort.

Thanks for the info

That is what I am thinking Gregandkelly63, but just a little anxious to actually do it!!!! lol

Thanks for the info.

Our last few trips have been booked directly with the resort. I always print off the email confirmation and take it with me in case there are any questions. Never had a problem yet.

Hello, I have booked directly with Rondel Village, SeaStar Inn, Westender Inn, and my daughter has booked directly at Sunrise Club, We have never had a problem, and i always print the confirmation that way they have no excuse.

Here's the thing... The Canadian dollar is in the toilet. At this time it's actually better to do a Canadian package and pay in Canadian funds. Obviously this will limit your hotel selections but 66 cents on the buck, hurts. I agree with the above posts, I've never had a problem booking directly with a hotel and would recommend doing so.

We usually book for the following year, in person, before we leave.

Apohydro, if you book a standard room it's possible you would end up in the older section and close to the road. We have over the years stayed in the deluxe, superior and junior suite and have enjoyed all. The last 2 years we have booked a 2 bedroom suite with another family couple and have booked again for March. You might consider the new section which has Coco suites on the third floor with balcony, they looked very nice on our trip last February. And yes if you want beachfront or honeymoon suite :cool: you have to book direct. Put in your dates on their website and see what's available and price , taxes are usually extra.

you folks are lucky you can book packages . . . as a single traveller, the surcharges are crazy . . . i always book directly with hotel and use westjet . . .

Unless you find something like a Groupon offer, you nearly always get the best rate booking directly with the hotel. However, keep in mind that the rooms offered through these online deals are usually the lowest quality room (i.e. the ones that face the dumpster or are close to the street). Also, if you stay at smaller places and get to know the managers or owners, you can contact them directly and ask for unadvertised specials or possibly negotiate a better rate. Some of the more popular places (especially smaller properties on the cliffs) won't budge, because they will fill their rooms, no matter what. However, during slow season many places will cut a deal to fill empty rooms. For example, right on the Home Sweet Home website is says to call Charlie directly to get the best rate.

I book directly with hotel and have not had any issues yet and trust the same person I communicate with every year won't let me down and give me a fare price....

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Originally Posted by Yesihunt2

I book directly with hotel and have not had any issues yet and trust the same person I communicate with every year won't let me down and give me a fare price....

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someone on here mentioned awhile back to contact hotel directly and use the phrase "we are regular travelers to Negril, can you give us a discount" it works more often than not. Especially in low season.