Yeh - you'll find lots of Indo things use middle men - it's the way. Also, they are calling up and booking as lots of organisations / hotels have unreliable internet (I have family in Jakarta - they can't get broadband where they live which is a nice area).
Speaking is US$ - you'll get basic for around US$250-300, comfortable (private loo, 4 berth) for US$500-600 and then the top end amazing yachts (unlimited spend possible). For the bottom end - i'd check with LP Thorn Tree recommendations.