Lourdes accommodation - non 24hrs reception

Jen, it's not unusual for hotels (and shops) in primarily warm-weather destinations to close completely during low season or for family time over the holidays, and that is reported to be the case with Lourdes.

It's also not unusual for smaller, family-run hotels and B&Bs not to have 24/7 desks. But I'm sure the accommodation you're looking at provides a phone number for guests who can't arrive during regular hours, and a process for early departure.

What hotel are you looking at, and do they have a website with a phone number? You may have more success calling rather than emailing. In the offseason, some hotels only check email sporadically.

If the front desk will not yet be open when you leave to catch your flight, the solution is to pay your hotel bill the night before and then you can leave when you jolly well please. If you want a taxi for the morning trip to the airport, ask the hotel to order one, when you are paying your bill.

My experience matches Norma's. When I have an early departure, I always pay the night before (even if the hotel is supposed to have a receptionist on duty in the early morning). That way there are no issues the next morning. While you're paying, just ask what they want you to do with the room key. If there are early flights, you won't be the first person to need to leave early to catch them, so the hotel will be used to this.

Late arrival is different; you do have to check with the hotel to see how they will accommodate you.

Same here: we paid our bill the night before when in the same situation at a small, family-run hotel in Italy.

I stayed in a hotel in Toulouse and had to catch a 6:05 am TGV. I checked out the night before but when I went to leave, the doors were locked (apparently for security reasons - damn the fire code) and there was no one in sight. Banging and shouting, I roused the clerk who was sleeping in an office off the lobby. Make sure that the doors of your hotel will be open so you can leave. Just made the train, last passenger to board.

Hi All,

thanks so much for the infos. sorry for my late reply

Hi Kathy,
Yes, i was thinking that those hotels are closed for holidays too and i think that is the actual reason of the unavailable rooms in Xmas and NYE period in Lourdes
I was deciding between 2, Villa Mariale Lourdes & Residence Le Soleil. I chose Villa Mariale at the end but later knowing that the parking in Residence is free but Villa Mariale charges EUR7/night >_<
I'm still thinking to switch to Residence but it seems Villa Mariale has better room.

Actually I'm more concern with late check in than the early check out.

Hi Phillip,
oh my, that's why I prefer hotel with 24hrs reception but during my visit time in Lourdes, those hotels do not have anymore rooms or perhaps they also close for holidays.