I booked a couple of times through beachdestinations.com - I got air plus 4 nights for less than I could get air alone at the time (And could make the flights span 10 days with my own booking the other 6 nights). And similar deals were available.

But I liked touching base with the hotel to make sure and the airline too, for peace of mind and to reserve specific seats.

I don't know if calling would have helped you luv with the two hotels with similar names situation. They'd probably answer the phone in such a way that you'd assume one was the other anyway.