We have signed up for a RS Tour which ends in Vienna at the Hotel Savoy Wien.
We're hoping to spend an extra night in Vienna and have sent a couple of emails, but we have not received any response. We also sent a request via their website, but no response either. We're hoping to avoid the cost of a phone call, so I'm hoping someone on the forum has stayed at this hotel and can offer suggestions. Thanks
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
You mean you tried to book online using their website, inputted your credit card number to hold the room, and still not received a confirmation? That's different than sending them an e-mail or question regarding the room. If all else fails, use booking.com or hotels.com to book an extra night (it's really easy and you don't need to deal with anyone at the hotel an you'll receive immediate confirmation) or just stay somewhere else.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3095 posts
You can do a secure bookin right on their website, with immediate confirmation. Did you try that?
Posted by
2527 posts
Calling direct is what I often do...via Skype. It’s easy, but be mindful of the differences in time zones.
Posted by
OP
Southern Oregon
647 posts
Thanks for the suggestions.
Website: no, we didn't actually try to book a room. I just tried to communicate with them because I wanted my reservation linked to the RS Tour group.
Skype: Didn't think of Skype. We have never used Skype since we live close to our kids and grandkids.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
Website: no, we didn't actually try to book a room. I just tried to
communicate with them because I wanted my reservation to be tied into
the RS Tour group.
First book the room. Then you can send a followup e-mail stating that you'd like to have the same room as on the tour the night before (I'm not sure what you mean by having your reservation "tied" to the RS Tour, since the reservation is totally distinct and outside of the tour parameters). Ask them to confirm this request. It's as simple as that. Hotels are really flaky with answering e-mails because they probably get tons of them.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13905 posts
Often the hotel res. form has a special requests block. I usually make my pre-tour reservation via the hotel booking site unless they are showing full, then add that I am with the RS tour staying on XX dates. I've never had a probem.
I stayed here with the GAS tour I took in 2016. The hotel was great about organizing a taxi to the airport as well!
Posted by
OP
Southern Oregon
647 posts
Pam: Thanks for the specific suggestion about booking an additional night. Good to know the hotel would arrange for taxi service, but not sure we would need a taxi since we will be going to Prague after our RS Tour.
Posted by
OP
Southern Oregon
647 posts
FOllowed Pam’s advice and booked a room for another night at our last hotel on our Rick Steves tour. I don’t know if Tour members get a room discount, but that seems a minor detail compared to peace of mind, and not having to chang hotels for one night. Thanks.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13905 posts
Excellent Carol!! I am glad it worked out!
So you are likely taking a train to Prague? I did not go to the train station but as a group we took the underground transport one day and there is a station nearby the hotel. Your guide can give you a recommendation on easiest transport as well.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32701 posts
Are you sure that the reply to your original queres didn't wind up in your email spam folder? It is just the sort of email that might, and often does.
Posted by
OP
Southern Oregon
647 posts
Pam: I'm not sure how we'll travel from Vienna to Prague. Our trip is not until later in the summer; so right now, I have all the hotels/lodgings booked for our independent travel days. Next, I'll figure out (from this forum) how to connect the cities. I did read somewhere about the possibility of also taking the bus between those two cities.
Nigel: No, the emails did not go to spam or junk. My husband checks periodically. We're "not" an efficient team. He is the more computer savvy...but I'm the one who usually makes lodging, transportation decisions.
Posted by
1895 posts
The best connection - considering price, comfort, and travel time - is taking the RailJet train from Vienna to Prague. Very comfortable cars (no need for 1st class), a 3:57 hours ride, and a bargain price of €14 (as of now, arbitrary date in June).
Taking a flight is not considerably faster if you take the time in account you need to go to and from the airports, which are outside the cities, and the time you have to be at the airport prior to the flight. As there is only one airline servicing this route, the price is about $250.
You might find a bus connection which is cheaper than the RailJet, but it cannot compete regarding travel time and comfort (e.g. restaurant car in the train).