I have just returned from Venice booking the Westin Europa Regina hotel with Travel Republic. I had wanted to book the Bauer Hotel where my friend had stayed previously.
When I tried to book the price for the Bauer was £165 but when I tried to book 2 rooms the price went to £235.
I then thought I will do a one room for single occupancy which went through at £165 when I then tried to book the 2nd room it was £235.
I had already completed the booking for the first room. I called asking whether they would be able to buy further rooms at a lower price as all these companies ebookers etc etc all buy their rooms through a company who in fact deal directly with the Hotel I only found this out by looking my booking I had made through another Active Hotels.
They at first suggested that I could either book the 2nd room and share the difference or that they would cancel the booking I had made and refund the money immediately to my account.
I was able to look at my booking on their web site and see that this had in fact happened.
I went back to the drawing board and booked the Westin which is next door to the Bauer was in fact in my opinion a superior hotel and I paid £135 each so £30 less than I would have paid for the Bauer.
I found Travel Republic excellent to deal with. The night I made the booking with just a deposit and had the receipt and I then made the booking at which time I got the Hotel Voucher.
I always call the Hotel direct to make sure I have a reservation and the names for rooms are not in any of the ebookers Expedia or TR until a week or so prior to arrival. I called the hotel and asked to call back 7 days before arrival. Did so requested a non smoking room 2 adjacent rooms and with a view.
I was told that Travel Republic or the company who book the rooms are not Grand Canal View and I knew from the hotel web site etc that there is a huge supplement for a Grand Canal view. I asked them to make a note on my reservation and it was also on the voucher but no guarantee it is at the Hotel discretion.
We arrived by Water taxi from the Airport were met at their own landing pier by a Porter to take our baggage and a Receptionist who walked us to their Reception area. We were then escorted by Laura the Receptionist who dealt with us and taken to our beautiful huge rooms with double aspect windows with that to die for view. The walls were silk lined and we were told that we had been given a complementary upgrade. Beautiful bathrooms and huge room with beautiful painted and antique furniture. June's room was the same size could have had a dance in it but different decor.
We had breakfast included in our deal (if on room only as many of the other deals were Breakfast was 52 euro each) It was a glorious breakfast with everything you could think of including smoked salmon and we sat on the restaurant overlooking the Canal with a view of St Mark's Cathedral and the Gondola's passing as well as small boats etc. The rooms themselves were very quiet and the entrance from the front was very quiet tucked in a little side just 2 minutes walk to St Mark's Square.
I have had a questionnaire today from T/R asking for my opinion on the hotel and their service and I can only say that it was absolutely first class.
I think your problem was that you wanted that hotel and at almost any cost. They offered you a refund and they also gave you the alternative of booking a different hotel. What more could they have done? They could not buy the hotel at the price they offered as beds are booked and it takes some time for the info to be processed which is why if I see something I want then I don't wait I strike when the iron is hot. In my case they only had one room at that price same room bought from a different source was sky high. This is what will have happened in your case they have tried to be as fair as they could with you but you have decided that they were perhaps being devious and that they were out to make more money out of you.
Look at all the Companies going bust as well as Airlines as this Credit Crunch bites even harder. You pay your money and you take your chance and I do hope that all of you out there use a credit card or as they say some switch cards which are from Visa may also get their refund. We are in very stormy water and the fuel cost less people able to afford holidays and everyone is being squeezed at every angle.
Despite the cost to sit and drink coffee and listen to the various Orchestra's at Cafe in St Mark's Square we did it despite the price! We also really enjoyed the water taxi to the hotel and to the Ship felt like James Bond. Cost from Airport 95e costly ++ and 70e to the ship even more costly ++ given the distance but what a way to arrive in Venice. The alternative was to drag baggage over cobbles and up over I think only one bridge but women of our age etc are not particularly able or willing to do this so for us it was the only/ We knew the price but we did it anyway.
This is way off topic!
In June this year I booked with ebookers to go to Dublin. Their web site said free Irish Breakfast from ebookers.
When printed off the voucher no mention of breakfast Email sent and then I followed up with a phone call. They sent me an email to say that yes I would have the breakfast. Called hotel prior to leaving and the booking was for room only. email to ebookers and again they confirmed this. Arrived at the hotel room only booked. Showed the email to the Receptionist who made a copy of it. Called their reservations. Told me that I could pay for the breakfast and then send the bill to ebookers.
Called from reception to say that as I was their guest in their hotel I would have complementary breakfast. Told to go out and enjoy Dublin.
When I got back I emailed ebookers who said that Academy Hotel should send the bill and they would pay it. I emailed the Academy Hotel and had 2 responses the 2nd from the Hotel Manager who was very pleased to hear that I had enjoyed my time with them and would welcome me back if I should choose to return. Whether they ever sent the bill or not I don't know!
I always email any hotel I am staying in and put in a request for what I want even though it may be on my booking form with the TO.
This may not be of any help to you but I do hope it will encourage some of you to double check things out and reiterate what your requests it has never failed me.
Sue
