I know this is probably REALLY basic but... does this mean that if I cancel up to the final 3 days before I arrive at the hotel I will not pay any cancellation fee? I keep reading it and am not 100% sure. I have copied and pasted directly from a hotel's booking form.

"NO SHOW : the first night, without extras
2 3 day(s) before check-in : the first night, without extras

Sorry to be so dense.
Schnauzer

It's not entirely clear is it Schnauzer?
I think I'd email the property & ask for clarification.

It seems that you lose one night if you cancel within 3 days or don't show, but I wouldn't necessarily bank on cancellation before day 3 being free, even if it's not mentioned.

In the "explanation" provided above I do not see any difference between "no show" and 2 3 days before since both come with the same penalties: the first night without extras...kinda hard to charge somebody with any "extras" if they weren't even THERE.

I'd e-mail and ask for clarification and I would save the e-mail response, too.

I did email and got exactly the same response. even though I did ask the question above. The same cancellation policy appears to be a generic one for heaps of hotels. grrr.

Glad it is not only me that doesn't understand it.

thanks though,
schnauzer

The rule in most hotel in France is that there is no charge if room is cancelled sufficient in advance. In this case I would say that if you cancel at least 4 days in advance, no charge will be made.
Hotel with tougher restriction makes it very very clear...
So I wouldnt worry too much. but you can always clarify with the hotel. Is it a chain or a privately owned hotel ? That usually makes the difference

The "extras" referred to could be local city tax which is usually a small amount eg EUR1 per person. VAT I believe is usually included in the room rates.

The "extras" referred to could be local city tax which is usually a small amount eg EUR1 per person. VAT I believe is usually included in the room rates.

The city tax (which is decided by the town hall, rate is different in different towns and pending on the category, the max that can be applied to 4 star hotel (most expensive tax) is 1.50€
VAT MUST be included in all prices in France (apart when selling B2B)

I would assume that a possible extra would be if you booked breakfast also -- they won't charge you for the breakfast you don't eat, but they will charge you for the room.

I have seen that wording before and always interpeted it to mean I could cancel BEFORE the three days free, and after the three days I would lose one night.

It appears there is some sort of communication/translation issue. They may be using a generic translation program. It really could mean that canceling before 3 days - no penalty. 2 to 3 days - one night penalty. And day of - the full booking amount. Or something else??

If it was me - I'd ask for their policy <i>in French</u>. Then you can translate it yourself or ask here for help and not have to guess.

I agree - it's a bad translation. Ask for it in French, then it will be clear what the actual intent is.

That seems pretty typical and if that is all that is mentioned, I would assume that if you cancel before the 3 days, there is no charge. Some hotels do charge one night's rate if you cancel within the 3 day period, same as same day, I don't find that so unbelievable.

I generally use Accor hotels, which allow cancellation right up to 6 or 7pm on the day of arrival with no penalty. I would be completely stressed out very often if I had to worry about whether or not I would really arrive in a hotel 3 days in advance.