The hotels hate expedia but they can't opt out of it so they just degrade the product that is offered at expedia's discount rate -- and they degrade it in a way that expedia can't force them to stop (room assignment is always done at checkin).
My work travel is typically booked through perk.com and I don't get the sense that I'm treated resentfully at any of those properties.
When you book through expedia, you pay expedia and expedia pays the hotel.
and I don't get the sense that I'm treated resentfully at any of those properties.
Depends how full the hotel is (expected to be that night) and whether you have status with that hotel. When I used to use discount booking services it was always first floor facing the parking lot.