Notwithstanding your justified reluctance to completely trust the MX process I often do get satisfactory results both in price and service from the property directly. These places all have some sort of operations/marketing/sales manager stuck in a back office that really does oversee the bookings. Try and identify the one at the property you are interested in. Subsequent to booking, I will call them several times, especially starting a couple of weeks out and have always had good luck and no surprises.
If I'm really concerned, I will arrange to have something waiting in the room...some beverage etc...anything to reenforce your reservation.

Another location is mltvacations.com...they will do land only.

[This message has been edited by alien (edited Mar 23, 2004).]