michele_d

Hi Everyone,
I've begun making our reservations for our six week trip next year with our son and his girlfriend. No problems booking Rome, Venice, Lauterbrunnen and Zell am See, but the Sarstein Pension in Hallstatt says it is too far ahead to book, to try back the end of April next year!! What??? One month before we plan to arrive and two weeks before our trip begins. This makes me very nervous especially since I am requesting the four person room. I don't imagine they have more than one of them.

I was really looking forward to staying right on the lake but now I don't know what to do... I know, book somewhere else. On Trip Advisor this is the only negative thing posted about them. What would you do? Wahhh, I REALLY wanted to stay on the the lake. It looks so beautiful. Really disappointed. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

jamikins

There are lots of smaller places in Europe that run like this. I just mark a date in my calendar to remind me to contact them or I book somewhere else. This is fairly common over here.

violetduck

We stayed in St. Wolfgang on the lake and did a day trip to Bad Ischl and Hallstatt. You could make
reservations elsewhere that you could cancel if Hallstatt becomes available. Hallstatt is very small and will not require a lot of time and is a definite must see..

michele_d

Thanks for your help. I might look into alternate locations and just day trip to Hallstatt. It's just kind of frustrating because it goes against everything I like to do, to wait until the last minute to book, especially for four people. I envision us sleeping in the car.

adrienne

<< I envision us sleeping in the car. >>

This is silly especially as there are plenty of hotels in Hallstatt and environs.

hazel1

Look at it this way - if you can't make a reservation, then no one else can either. Give yourself a reminder to call them back next spring, but you may want to make a cancellable reservation at another place as a fallback.

ira

Hi m,

I suggest calling on the phone soon after Jan, 1.

Also, we very much enjoyed our stay at http://www.gasthof-simony.at/ in a room with balcony overlooking the lake.

bettyk

The Simony is right on the lake. Could be considered "shabby chic" but don't expect sparkling clean. We stayed there last September and had a lakefront room with balcony. The views were to die for but there was alot of mold in our shower -- the bathroom is very tiny to begin with. It is a bare bones place with a marvelous location. Prices aren't that cheap but not bad for lakeside.

You might check out the brand new Heritage Hotel which is also right on the lake. A friend got a really good deal when she contacted them by email and was upgraded to a jr suite and this was in June.

michele_d

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look at some of the alternate locations you have listed, maybe one will take a reservation.

I was just kidding about sleeping in the car, but just as bad is having to break our budget because we are left with only the highest price places in town because the others have been booked already. One month ahead is really cutting it close in my book.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

StCirq

Listen to hazel. No one else can book, either. And janis, who points out that this is common.

Take a deep breath. You won't sleep in the car.

Mark your calendar and CALL them exactly one month before the booking date. I can't believe the number of people who just assume they can do everything on the internet these days and have it all work out just dandy. There is no substitute for making a simple phone call and asking the place to email or fax you a confirmation.

michele_d

Thanks StCirq, I just looked up several other places in Hallstatt so now I know there are a few to choose from that look really nice. I will try again closer to the date and see if the room is still available. If not, it's on to my next choice.

As you can probably tell, I like my little duckies all in a row and when one gets out of line...well, let's just say, I kind of go into panic mode. I must stop doing that...really not a good response. Thank you to all you level headed thinkers here for your helpful responses.

blh

We had the same problem last year booking Pension Sarstein. I also tried to book really early and got that same e-mail. I don't like waiting until the last minute either. I had sent an e-mail in January for mid October. They told me to contact them again in August. I waited until April 1, sent another e-mail, and got the reservation!

So I suggest you wait until November and e-mail again. They won't be so busy then and might make the reservation. If that doesn't work, try again in January. It's worth the effort. We had two couples - two rooms - they were great. The pension has been remodeled recently and our rooms were brand new! We loved staying there. The breakfast was good and the view from the breakfast room is to die for.

michele_d

blh,
That's what I think I will do, check again later this year and then again in January. Worth a try I guess. I'm glad you liked it there. I hope we get it, but if not, it's a beautiful town so I'll feel lucky just to be there.

Iwan2go

Call sooner than the hotel says.

I had my heart and budget set on Boogard's in Amsterdam, and when I wrote 10 months out was told to wait until the end of the year. When I called in late November - a month early - I was told he was full. I was really upset, but realized that it's a very small place, rated number one on TripAdvisor, and that the owner does all of his email personally. I guess he can't keep track of them. But I was still upset! I quickly booked my third choice and learned my lesson.

Hope you get a good place and have a great trip.