Has anyone used www.bestwestern.com to make reservations in Europe? I've used the site numerous times for reservations in the US but I'm a bit nervous using it for foreign reservations. It is much easier than faxing. Thanks.

Brian, <BR>I've used BW's 800 number for international with absolutely no problem several times, mostly because I wanted to ask some specific questions and/or special rates but I would not hesitate to use the website.

Brian: I have not used their website to make reservations, but I have called their international reservations & made reservations for a Best Western associated hotel in Paris, & was completely happy with the results. No problems at all with price, accomodations, or reservation when we showed up at the hotel in Paris. I know this doesn't answer your question on the website, but I did not have any problems with international Best Western.

Brian, <BR> <BR>I too, have made phone reservations through Best Western International on the US 800 #. We used Gold Crown Club points for vouchers and they were accepted with no problems in Bruges (Hotel Acacia) and Lucerne (Hotel des Balances). It takes a few extra minutes for them to figure out the exchange rate for the vouchers (they come in dollar amounts), but it was well worth it! Best Western is incrediible in Europe. We used the website to confirm availability and look at the places we were booking. We did the same with Starwood as well. We used Amex rewards and looked at the sites for each chain and broke things down that way. Keep in mind (probably not an issue with online booking) they write dates day/mo/yr and we had some confusion with that in a house rental situation. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip!

This doesn't exactly answer your question, but it does reinforce a positive impression of BW in Europe, offered by "Diane". <BR>. <BR>Over numerous trips to Europe spanning a half-dozen years, I thought sure I did NOT ever want to stay in a Best Western, figuring that it was all "Americanized" and everything that I did NOT want. <BR>. <BR>Then, unwittingly, I booked and stayed at The Grand Monarque in Chartres and found it to be (as a guidebook had suggested) "the leading hotel in Chartres" (they had not mentioned that it was a Best Western affiliate). It was completely French, everything we wanted, and sure enough in the best possible location in Chartres (and as they say in the real estate business - - - well, you know). <BR>. <BR>So, I've since buried that prejudice. I still like places that I find on the website www.logisdefrance.fr - - but on that paricular night in Chartres, the Logis de France ("one of the best values in Chartres", quoting again from a well-known guidebook) had no rooms, and my horizons got expanded. <BR>. <BR>Hope you have similar good luck with BW. <BR>. <BR>Best wishes, <BR>. <BR>Rex

Yes, I have. At least once, perhaps twice. The one time I am sure of involved a hotel in Frankfurt, Germany. I did call the BW 800 number later to confirm that the reservation was actually there. It was; and I had even managed to get a better rate than what the person on the phone would have been able to confirm. I would be hesitant to make the reservation solely on the website and not confirm it by phone.

Thanks, all. I feel better about using the web site. I like having something in writing when I arrive and have had a hard time getting phone reservations agents to mail me a confirmation. <BR> <BR>BTW, we'll be using it to stay at the BW Chamade in Ghent. We can't wait. <BR> <BR>Thanks again.

My experience with getting confirming letters from BW for hotels in Europe is that the telephone reservation person can do nothing more than ask the hotel to send one. The few times I have been really concerned I have called the hotel directly after the reservation was made, confirmed that the hotel itself did recognize the reservation, made sure that I had the name of the person that I was talking with, and asked them to fax a confirmation. This generally works; and even if it does not, then you have the name of the person that "confirmed" it from the hotel. So, you at least have a good basis for argument if a problem occurs.

Hi Brian: I made reservations for Best Western Hotels (using their website) for Milan and Verona last year. I received instant confirmations which I printed out and carried with me. It turned out that they were not needed but a good idea anyway. Both hotels turned out to be great!! Although it may not apply for you, other people should be aware that a senior discount is available at most if not all of their hotels. I would definitely use their website again. Not to worry. <BR>Paul J