Like holiday venues in the West, hotels in Eastern Europe must be booked well in advance if you're planning to stay over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Whether you're staying in one of Eastern Europe's castle hotels or hotels in the city center, make sure you solidify your travel dates early and plan accordingly to avoid ruined holiday plans.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Up to a Year or More in Advance
Here's How:
- Research holiday venues up to a year or more in advance. If you are planning a romantic holiday abroad, you may want to choose one of Eastern Europe's castle hotels, many of which offer holiday packages complete with sleigh rides and winter festivities. Other hotels may not celebrate with their guests as elaborately, but if you're visiting family or sightseeing, your holiday festivities can be taken elsewhere.
- Email or call the hotel in question to see 1)How far in advance they are accepting reservations for the holiday season and if they can book you and 2)If they have the amenities and services you will require for your stay. See also Tips for Choosing and Booking Hotels in Eastern Europe.
- If you have emailed the hotel, wait for a response. Two weeks is an appropriate wait; responses from Eastern European establishments may take longer than you're used to. If you don't receive a response, email again. By the third email with no response, it's safe to say that you should probably set your sites on another hotel for the holidays. Follow a similar protocol with phone messages.
- If you have received a response from the hotel in question and the hotel staff seem to both understand what you require and willing to help, book your dates. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask. Once you've booked, it may be more difficult to get information from hotel staff members.
- Call a couple of months in advance to see if your reservations are still valid and the hotel still expects your visit.
- Confirm your reservations again about a week before you travel. If you will need a ride from the airport to your hotel, be sure to mention this now.
Tips:
- Understand that communication may be a problem. If you have trouble understanding what the hotel staff member is saying, ask them to clarify. If you feel that they may not understand what you mean, rephrase your request or ask to speak with someone else.
- Remember that customer service in Eastern Europe may not be what you're used to. Even the swankiest hotels may be lacking the customer service consumers are used to in the West.
- If at any time you have a bad feeling about your reservations or the reputation of the hotel in question, it may be best to listen to your instincts. While many times even potential disasters turn out fine, disorganization or disinterest in details on the part of hotel staff have also put travelers out in the cold.
- Always ask about the manner of payment accepted. Some hotels have limited payment options, so be prepared.
What You Need:
- Dates for reservation.
- Number of guests.
- Any special room requirements.
- Patience and perseverance.
