I made a reservation at Hotel d'Angleterre which has been highly praised here and everywhere else. So why does it seem so hard for them to send a detailed confirmation? Or am I incorrect to expect one? Is a confirmation with the nightly rate good enough and use their offer which has all the detail as backup? <BR><BR>I am basing my expectations on my experience with booking at other hotels. They have always confirmed back with details on the nightly rate, the type of room, etc. not just "2 persons at 248 Euros/night".<BR><BR>Hotel d'Angleterre did send their offer that had specific details but when they confirmed back it's only with the rate.<BR><BR>I don't want to sound rude but I really expected a high-quality type of service because of what I've read and what others have reported. However, in checking at first, they told me that they did not receive my check for one night's deposit then they found it. Also in the confirmation of the rate only they put the incorrect rate and I had to inform them.<BR>What's going on here?<BR>

ttt<BR><BR>Any advice? Thanks.

I would not assume that any confirmation is valid without the correct rates and dates.<BR>

I should have added that they sent an email revising the rate and admitting the first one they sent was wrong. Prior to that the email they sent to confirm was like I mentioned "2 nights, arrival date, and rate". There was no mention of the # of people nor the type of room.<BR><BR>Do they probably not want to repeat what was in the offer?<BR><BR>I have ended up calling and the front desk person asked for my last name and arrival date. He apparently looked it up in their manual files or reservation book because he confirmed the number of people and found the reservation. I explained to him that I need to have them send a detailed confirmation via email. He was not friendly first of all and he said the email will have to wait until morning. I guess he's not responsible for sending out email correspondences. So I sent an email to them giving them a sample of what type of information I need confirmation on.<BR><BR>I just can't believe this hotel though. I really expected better. I might add that I called a couple of times before just to be sure they understand what type of room I wanted before I sent my check. The madame is not easy to talk to either-kind of curt. Anyway, I guess it's too late if I wanted to change my mind because they have a stiff cancellation penalty. If I cancel now they'll keep 20% of the deposit. I should have stayed with the Millesime but thought Angleterre would be nicer. Millesime has such sweet staff.<BR>

I don't know if they have delivered unsatisfactory information, partly because I don't know if you have expressed what you are expecting very well.<BR><BR>At the risk of seeming uppity, you haven't explained it very well in this post. You have assumed that we know what city you're talking about, for example (is it Paris?) when there are hotels of the same in other cities and countries.<BR><BR>I would send a fax and state clearly that you would appreciate receiving a return fax, confirming what do THEIR records show, regarding your reservation. You might even construct the fax with fill-in the blanks with the details you require.<BR><BR>Arrival date: ______<BR>Departure date: ______<BR>Number of guests in room: _______<BR>Number of beds in room: _______<BR>Size of beds in room: ________<BR>Bath facilities: __________<BR>Other features: _________<BR><BR>Rate: ___________ per room per night<BR><BR>Breakfast: ___________<BR><BR>Get the idea?<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Rex, first off, I do find that you are being uppity.<BR><BR>I appreciate your advice on how to construct the message; however, I have already sent an email similar in fashion as your sample.<BR><BR>Next I do not see what difference it makes that I did not mention what city this Hotel d'Angleterre is located. I simply forgot. And if it pleases you this Hotel d'Angleterre is located in Paris, France NOT the Hotel d'Angleterre located in Copenhagen, Denmark. Is there any relevance in knowing which city the hotel is located?<BR><BR>Rex, I know you're one of the long-time posters here, but you do not have to act as though you know everything.<BR><BR><BR>

I was simply sharing with you how you came across to me - - as rather demanding of information, but (possibly) not explaining your expectations very clearly.<BR><BR>And I acknowledged that my advice might seem a bit uppity. I'll even apologize for that.<BR><BR>And yes, it might matter to some which hotel you were asking about - - primarily in the context of offering you personal experience about what to expect from the staff at the hotel, based on an actual recent stay. What if it WERE the one in Copenhagen you were asking about - - and someone else assumed that you were asking about Paris?<BR><BR>I hope that your whole trip is not marked by Europe failing to meet your expectations - - whether expressed clearly or not.<BR><BR>Really and sincerely - - have a good trip.<BR>

Rex, honestly, this is not the first and I hope, the last, time I visit Paris-or Europe for that matter. We went to Rome last year. Since then it got me thinking about going back to Europe and visiting Paris again-will be the third time and I look forward to it each time.<BR><BR>I will always love Europe and that has nothing to do with what I was asking about the d'Angleterre (Paris). I suppose each hotel has its own procedures and it's just a coincidence that the other hotels I made reservations with in Bern, Amsterdam, and even at another hotel in Paris, do things in a similar fashion. These hotels confirm everything while hotels like d'Angleterre (Paris) confirm only what they feel is necessary.<BR><BR>If I don't get a reply I have the proposal and whatever confirmation they sent me. It's only for 2 nights anyway.

Cl I had a similiar experience witht he Hotel De Seine down the street from the D'Angleterre . I sent a detailed fax explaining wht type of room i wanted the amount obeds and that I must have air conditioning. <BR> That I was traveling with my mohter she had a few medical conditions that require filtered air. I received a fax from them confirming my fax. When i arrived there on 5/24 i was shown a room with no a/c , they handed us a fan and said in there opinion we would not need a/c for this time of year.<BR> This was during the Frnech Open there was not another room available in PAris with or without a/c. It pretty much ruined our time in paris my Mom was sick and the room was small hot and close. They eve pulled out my fax and said yes you did want a/c , but we don;t have it here.<BR> So I guess it doesn;t matter what they confirm. When you check in you get what you get.

I would think that receiveing an email confirming the rate and days should be enough.It isn't like you specified a particular room.The rooms go by price,so you will get a room that costs whatever the price is that you are paying,you sent in your deposit right?Then you have the room.<BR>Not meaning to say Anything against the Millesime,but a "friendly staff" means nothing,whoever you speak to on the phone can be as nice as can be and you can get a rotten room,a lost reservation when you arrive.You cannot go by telephone personalities!<BR>Here in the US, people are taght to be gushy and way too friendly on the phone,when you walk into a store,when you sit down in a restaurant.<BR>They are not that way in Paris.<BR> When ever we stay in Paris, we call and make the reservation,we usually but not always get an email confirmation.And that is that.<BR>the same thing happened to us in Rome and Florence last year.<BR>It is just the way they do things .

Sandra, I'm very sorry to hear about you and your mother's unfortunate experience at Hotel de Seine. Given the good write-ups they get, I'm surprised at the attitude they have. I understand that there is probably a lack of communication due to the language barrier in a way. I am sure that I did not receive the confirmation that I was expecting because that's just how Hotel d'Angleterre does things.<BR><BR>Last night I did send Hotel d'Angleterre an email as mentioned before, specifying how I wanted it to look. The manager promptly complied when she came into the hotel in the morning. <BR><BR>I do not agree with Kathy in just trusting the hotel's word that they have the room that you reserved. I know that there is no guarantee either with a paper confirmation, however, the hotel would not be able to dismiss it as quickly. At least you can show the hotel the date of the email confirming the type of room and number of beds in the room, etc.<BR><BR>As for the Millesime Hotel, I honestly do not think that they are just putting on an act. I corresponded with the front desk via email and did not talk with anyone over the phone as it's expensive for me that way. From the emails I received, I can assure you that they take their jobs seriously in the sense that they act professionally in responding to emails in a timely manner. Even when I emailed them at their busiest period during the day, someone was sure to respond and apologized for the delay. Their correspondences were courteous, friendly, and helpful. I need to say that I did make a reservation with them and could not keep it due to a change in travel plans. However, the hotel is run professionally even in that manner. They assign a booking number for your reservation and that is the first time I've experienced this with a small hotel. I've seen it done in chain hotels but not for a small one. So I am assured that whatever room that one reserves with them, that's the room that will be waiting when one arrives.<BR><BR>On the other hand, the Hotel d'Angleterre, is very "stuffy", not friendly at all. However, all I was attempting was to receive a documented confirmation that was detailed. In the end they complied and everything worked out allright in that manner.

P.S. to Kathy:<BR><BR>Yes, there was a specific type of room involved, therefore, that's part of the reason I wanted it confirmed since it was in their proposal.

You sent a CHECK to a hotel in France? <BR>Interesting....

One of the problems with the popular hotels frequently recommended on this website is that they are overwhelmed with reservation requests, as well as just plain requests for information; and like many normal people, they get a little testy in trying to deal with the flood of requests. That doesn't excuse ill-mannered behavior by some of them when you call on the phone, but remember that you are interpreting the attitude of a stranger who doesn't normally speak your language. That leaves a big question mark in my mind as to what their attitude really is. And if you make a pest of yourself asking for what they consider to be useless details, they will obviously become even more irritated.<BR><BR>Having said all that, I would like to suggest that your best course of action is somewhat the one that was previously recommended, but I haven't read anything exactly like it. I suggest you send an e-mail to the hotel, specifying exactly what you want in great detail, and stating that you are reconfirming your reservation. Then close by asking that unless you receive a reply to the contrary, you will assume all the details are as you have stated. And remember to use simple English, sticking to basic words and phrases that are used in typical travel reservations.

Yes, "spot", believe it or not there are still hotels that want a personal check written in your local currency to be sent as a deposit for one night. It's done by many people without problem. However, many other hotels reserve rooms based on a credit card number and expiration date only. <BR><BR>They will not cash it until you arrive if you wish to use it for one night's payment. You can pay by credit card upon checkout.<BR><BR>Thanks Wayne for the advice. I have sent emails such as the one you describe and think it's a good idea.<BR><BR>In this case however, the hotel did reconfirm in detail. If they hadn't done so, I would have sent an email like the one you mention.<BR><BR>