General paradore question
 

I am hoping to book into the Granada paradore as well as a couple more. To try and snag a room at the Granada location I will book a year in advance. Does anyone know 1) what happens if you have to cancel? and 2) do you have to pay up front or reserve now and pay when you arrive? I know you have to give a credit card to reserve but do they charge you right away?

Dear Canuck,<BR><BR>If you book through the Central Reservations office of the paradores you can reserve without a charge to your credit card (they will ask you for the number but not charge anything at booking). I think that you must cancel 48 hours before your reservation to not incur a charge for cancelling. The parador website www.parador.es has an English version and lots of information about specials if booking for more than a couple nights.<BR><BR>However, if you book through some of the other booking offices (Marketing Ahead, etc..) they will charge your card immediately for however many nights you are booking and I do not know if you would get all of it back if you cancelled.<BR><BR>This has been our experience, anyway.<BR><BR>Maria<BR><BR>P.S. Our family has just returned from a lovely 9 day ski vacation in Canada (Kimberley, to be precise). We had a fabulous time and were so impressed by the wonderful Canadian hospitality and friendliness at every opportunity. What a wonderful country and people to be neighbors with!

Thanks Maria for the kind words! You did visit a beautiful part of our country..re. the paradores. I'm assuming the website is secure when giving your credit card info. Will they let you know right away if you have a confirmation? Is there any reason why one would use a third party to book a paradore? I didn't even know that was possible and it doesn't seem to make sense if you can book it directly thus saving extra fees that they may charge?

The reservations at the paradores take forever to answer and confirm.I always advise telephoning.It's worth the phone call.In the meantime get in touch with the tourist office of Spain and they will send you a wonderful Parador brochure,maps, individual city booklets.They do a great jobpromoting themselves!Use the office address closest to you.

Dear Canuck,<BR><BR>I used a booking agency on our first trip to Spain because I was too intimidated to call internationally. But since then I have used either their website and e-mail or I just pick up the phone and call directly since calling card rates are now so low. Yes, their response via e-mail is very delayed (over 1 week, normally) so the phone call is the most reasonable and, if you do not speak Spanish, there are English speakers available. Note on their website their rather limited office hours and with the time change you kind of need to plan.<BR><BR>Let me know of your final itinerary and I will be happy to offer you any restaurant or sightseeing tips that might be helpful.<BR><BR>Maria