Inquiry about Hotel Reservation in Japan - Language Barrier problems
Dec 4th, 2012, 07:53 AM
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Inquiry about Hotel Reservation in Japan - Language Barrier problems
I'm trying to ensure I didn't inadvertently screw up my hotel reservation in a city during a festival period.
I made an on-line booking with a hotel's website, then decided to change our arrival to a day earlier.
The website showed no more rooms of that type, let alone at the rate I'd booked for my new dates.
But when I went to modify my original reservation, I was able to book the same room, of the same type, for the old rate.
I am wondering if the online reservation system has screwed up, and the hotel is now overbooked for that room type for those dates.
I sent an email in English requesting them to check my reservation. I tried to keep the explanation simple. It's a fairly major hotel.
The thing is, I'm sweating it as the city's hotels are booking up quickly. I don't want us frozen out of a room!
Any ideas, oh seasoned Japan travelers?
I made an on-line booking with a hotel's website, then decided to change our arrival to a day earlier.
The website showed no more rooms of that type, let alone at the rate I'd booked for my new dates.
But when I went to modify my original reservation, I was able to book the same room, of the same type, for the old rate.
I am wondering if the online reservation system has screwed up, and the hotel is now overbooked for that room type for those dates.
I sent an email in English requesting them to check my reservation. I tried to keep the explanation simple. It's a fairly major hotel.
The thing is, I'm sweating it as the city's hotels are booking up quickly. I don't want us frozen out of a room!
Any ideas, oh seasoned Japan travelers?
Dec 4th, 2012, 10:32 AM
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mrwunrfl, it is the Associa chain, which (I think) is a Japanese chain (?)
KimJapan, I can see it online, but what I'm worried about is that the system overbooked. Most times when one modifies a reservation and availability of rooms has changed, the system warns that you may have to pay a higher rate, or change room types, in order to secure accomodation on those dates. This didn't happen. The modification confirmation contradicts what the system reports is true for new reservations. Does this help?
I thought of calling but thought it would be easier to email.
KimJapan, I can see it online, but what I'm worried about is that the system overbooked. Most times when one modifies a reservation and availability of rooms has changed, the system warns that you may have to pay a higher rate, or change room types, in order to secure accomodation on those dates. This didn't happen. The modification confirmation contradicts what the system reports is true for new reservations. Does this help?
I thought of calling but thought it would be easier to email.
Dec 4th, 2012, 10:59 AM
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Kim, it's Takayama during the Spring Festival. So I have got to get this down, as it is VERY busy there during the festival.
You see, I went on line, checked availability for the dates, and my room type was sold out. Then I modify my existing reservation to those dates, and it didn't say anything about that room type being sold out. That's the conundrum. There's a conflict in the availability data depending on how one goes looking for it.
My alternative is to rebook these dates with a more expensive room type still showing availability. Sigh.
I have to decide soon - wait for a response, or go ahead with plan B..
You see, I went on line, checked availability for the dates, and my room type was sold out. Then I modify my existing reservation to those dates, and it didn't say anything about that room type being sold out. That's the conundrum. There's a conflict in the availability data depending on how one goes looking for it.
My alternative is to rebook these dates with a more expensive room type still showing availability. Sigh.
I have to decide soon - wait for a response, or go ahead with plan B..
Dec 4th, 2012, 07:02 PM
#7
There is availability on the matsuri dates for standard twin (JPY 21,690) and deluxe twin (JPY 24,390). A bit less on the 15th with more availability (lots of people leave on the evening after the second day of the festival).
On other dates (like the 16th) those are 9990 and 12,690, resp, so the festvival dates are at premium rates. So you booked the 16th at the low rate and moved it a day earlier where the rate is now much higher? If that is the case then I get the point as that would seem a bit too good to be true.
Is plan B to book a second room at the current rate and sort it out later? Am assuming the current rate is not pre-paid.
I checked the Best Western but that is sold out. Associa is a Japanese chain. I was hoping they might have property in the USA, but no. The Associa in Nagoya is a Marriott, but not the one in Takayama as it doesn't show up on the Marriott website.
On other dates (like the 16th) those are 9990 and 12,690, resp, so the festvival dates are at premium rates. So you booked the 16th at the low rate and moved it a day earlier where the rate is now much higher? If that is the case then I get the point as that would seem a bit too good to be true.
Is plan B to book a second room at the current rate and sort it out later? Am assuming the current rate is not pre-paid.
I checked the Best Western but that is sold out. Associa is a Japanese chain. I was hoping they might have property in the USA, but no. The Associa in Nagoya is a Marriott, but not the one in Takayama as it doesn't show up on the Marriott website.
Dec 5th, 2012, 02:45 AM
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Thanks for your help mrwunrfl
The Best Western sold out before October. It's REALLY busy.
Our confirmation is for a total of 41,760 for two nights, plus tax. This was made back in October, it's double occupancy in a triple room - although frankly I don't care as long as I get a twin. A triple is like a deluxe twin in floor area but with three beds. I booked it because double occupancy in a triple at that time was cheaper than a standard twin! It's at least in the ballpark of the rates you found. The new rate on the website for a standard twin is like 56,000 plus tax. So I was trying to avoid paying 'premium premium'.
I just emailed them to ask them to confirm this, quoting confirmation number and the rates in my confirmation, and all I got was a reply "Thank you for your mail.
We looking forword to meet you.
I am a reservation staff at HOTEL ASSOCIA TAKAYAMA RESORT".
Well, that'll have to do. If the system screwed up, we may just end up sleeping in the train station....
The Best Western sold out before October. It's REALLY busy.
Our confirmation is for a total of 41,760 for two nights, plus tax. This was made back in October, it's double occupancy in a triple room - although frankly I don't care as long as I get a twin. A triple is like a deluxe twin in floor area but with three beds. I booked it because double occupancy in a triple at that time was cheaper than a standard twin! It's at least in the ballpark of the rates you found. The new rate on the website for a standard twin is like 56,000 plus tax. So I was trying to avoid paying 'premium premium'.
I just emailed them to ask them to confirm this, quoting confirmation number and the rates in my confirmation, and all I got was a reply "Thank you for your mail.
We looking forword to meet you.
I am a reservation staff at HOTEL ASSOCIA TAKAYAMA RESORT".
Well, that'll have to do. If the system screwed up, we may just end up sleeping in the train station....
Dec 5th, 2012, 03:36 AM
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mrwunrfl, you are indeed mr. wonderful.
You solved the riddle. It is the 14th that is the super tight date, the 13th is not quite so bad, and my room type is still showing open on the 13th. Mystery solved. I could only find this out, by searching on individual dates, not blocks of 2 dates.
This is why I normally avoid festivals, but heck, I may only visit Japan once.
You solved the riddle. It is the 14th that is the super tight date, the 13th is not quite so bad, and my room type is still showing open on the 13th. Mystery solved. I could only find this out, by searching on individual dates, not blocks of 2 dates.
This is why I normally avoid festivals, but heck, I may only visit Japan once.
Dec 5th, 2012, 08:56 AM
#12
Ok, good, then you have the going rate.
Interesting that the descriptions of the two twin type rooms mention room size, wireless, and bed size but the description of the triple room doesn't mention any of that. Looks like the deluxe and triple rooms are the same size just furniture vs 3rd bed in that extra space that the standard does not have. Bed size is important to me so I don't like that it is not mentioned for the triple.
What is the rest of your itin (maybe start a new thread)? Your next question is how to get bus/train seat reservations for your travel to/from Takayama. I recall that kuranosuke was concerned about getting reserved seats on the Hida L'Ex from Nagoya for us. He didn't make trip but I did. I just don't remember how I got the seats. I must have gotten them in Nagoya a few days before heading to Takayama. I stayed for three nights and was surprised to see that on the day after the festival that it looked had everybody had cleared out, apparently the night before. Not to worry, though.
Interesting that the descriptions of the two twin type rooms mention room size, wireless, and bed size but the description of the triple room doesn't mention any of that. Looks like the deluxe and triple rooms are the same size just furniture vs 3rd bed in that extra space that the standard does not have. Bed size is important to me so I don't like that it is not mentioned for the triple.
What is the rest of your itin (maybe start a new thread)? Your next question is how to get bus/train seat reservations for your travel to/from Takayama. I recall that kuranosuke was concerned about getting reserved seats on the Hida L'Ex from Nagoya for us. He didn't make trip but I did. I just don't remember how I got the seats. I must have gotten them in Nagoya a few days before heading to Takayama. I stayed for three nights and was surprised to see that on the day after the festival that it looked had everybody had cleared out, apparently the night before. Not to worry, though.
Dec 6th, 2012, 11:12 AM
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mr wunrfl
I too rather wondered that given the difference in rate, if maybe the triple rooms are deficient in some way: next to the lobby, or the garbage disposal, or whatever.
But then again one can never count on anything. I remember reading one post on tripadvisor where the poster said they were 'upgraded' to a triple. True, the room size is bigger, but it may not have really been an upgrade. Fact is, when times are really busy, you will take what the hotel gives you, and that is that.
Thank you for your interest in our itinerary. I will post it.
I too rather wondered that given the difference in rate, if maybe the triple rooms are deficient in some way: next to the lobby, or the garbage disposal, or whatever.
But then again one can never count on anything. I remember reading one post on tripadvisor where the poster said they were 'upgraded' to a triple. True, the room size is bigger, but it may not have really been an upgrade. Fact is, when times are really busy, you will take what the hotel gives you, and that is that.
Thank you for your interest in our itinerary. I will post it.
