What you both say makes sense and the earlier suggestion of 'googling' the
name of the hotel and location turns up a long string of options. Even
Expedia.com, here in the States, has a 'All refund requests must occur
within 60 days of hotel check-out. At the sole discretion of Expedia refunds
may be given due to extenuating circumstances' policy and you end up paying
the entire reservation up front plus booking fees. With wording like this,
it sounds like changing or cancellation of a reservation is difficult.

Who amongst the on-line reservation outfits can one trust; 1) to have a
reasonable cancellation policy (full refund within 30 days of arrival), and
2) be trusted to credit the deposit or entire amount back into your account
within 30 days or more of arrival? Is travel insurance the only option,
albeit not cheap either?

With the world economy not looking so good at least until next year, I
should think the traveler with cash now, next fall or winter will be able to
dictate the terms - not the hotel or reseller.

rg