sassy27

Hi Everyone! I have gotten so much good advice from you, that I'm sure someone can help me with my question. I am going to Paris Feb 27-March 5, 2006. This is the first time where I booked my own airfare and have to get a hotel. All the other times, I've gotten package deals and it was all done for me. I have been looking at a lot of hotels and have decided on two. Now, when should I book my hotel? When I have tried to do this through the websites I found them on, my dates are unavailable and I believe because it's too far in advance. I was thinking of waiting until maybe Sept or Oct. From your experiences, does this sound about right?

Many thanks.

ira

Hi sassy,

Just keep trying until you get through. Some places don't accept booking until after the firt of the year.

Also, contact the hotels directly. You might get the same, or cheaper, rate.

cocofromdijon

Hi Ira and sassy,
I used to work as a receptionist in hotels like Mercure or Holiday Inn and it was not unusual to take people for several months onwards because of congress for example. We didn't have internet then...
you should write directly to the hotel you want to stay. If you need help in French translation, no problem ask me!

suze

Rather than using the 'reservation' function on a website (when you must choose dates, etc.), I suggest to try calling, faxing, or emailing directly and ask how far in advance the hotel accepts reservations.

sassy27

Thanks everyone. I'll try contacting the hotels directly.

Tiff

Hi Sassy,

Even though it appears you already have your answer, I will add to the above that I booked as soon as I found our desired accommodations for our Jan-Feb 2006 trip. I discovered that it is best to book immediately, as many small establishments fill up rather fast.

One nice surprise with my early booking was that each of the two hotels I booked with stated they would guarantee me 2005 rates rather than 2006, because I booked early.

An advantage I was not expecting.

Have a wonderful trip. And congrats on your first time "booking it all yourself", good feeling, isn't it?!?

Tiff

BTilke

You are probably right about your dates being too far in advance for hotel web site bookings. Most Accor properties, for example, are usually limited to a three-month advance window for the Accor web site booking. But that doesn't mean you can't call the hotel and book a room on your own. Then, when you reach the 3 month window, check the online rates to see if you can get a better deal--you could always rebook the cheaper rate and cancel your originally booked room.
However, I don't think you are too far in advance for smaller, individually owned hotels. The most popular are commonly booked up to a year (or more!) in advance.
If you have your heart set on a particular hotel, call them or email the manager to find out how early you can book. If your two choices are small hotels that are especially popular, I wouldn't wait until September.
Make sure you get a room confirmation in writing (email or fax), espec. for a booking so far in advance.

Craigellachie

An alternative is to try contacting the hotel direct, then various "clearing" sites, THEN trek round three or four travel agents. We're lucky enough to have three of the main UK agents in our local shopping centre and a half day spent shuttling between them saved nearly £1,000 (about 1,400 $ or Euro at the time)on a two week holiday for two.
If location and standard of accommodaton are important, book early. If you're willing to take a chance on accommodation, book the flights and leave the hotels until later - but post carefully targetted questoins on Fodor's as to places that fill up early (e.g. Barcelona on Friday nights for 3+ stars).