Try booking online at www.hotelthailand.com. You can also view the hotels there. I've used them several times and their online transactions are quite safe -- if you have a credit card. Plus, their online rate is the cheapest so far.
If you want to splurge a bit, try checking out Burasari Hotel, a mid-range priced hotel, very stylishly designed, on Patong beach. I think their website is www.burasari.com.
