Many of the Rick Steves recommended hotels require direct booking. I have sent an inquiry to at least 10 places and am finding that most do not reply and the few that have are auto generated replies with some sort of booking offering. When I've inquired further about things such as cancellation policies, number of beds, parking etc.. , I am not hearing back. Has anyone experienced the same thing? I have traveled extensively in Europe and other continents and haven't experienced this. I prefer to stay in family owned and do not mind booking direct. I'd appreciate any advice. (I've been looking for lodging in Fussen, Mittenwald, Berchtesgaden, Halstatt, Salzburg...)
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1437 posts
Have you looked to see if any of them are available to book on booking.com. I have found that most of his recommended hotels are, but not so much for the BnBs.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2377 posts
It's a rare hotel that doesn't have a website. The information you need is probably there.
Usually after you enter dates you are presented with a list and description of the room and the ability to reserve.
Frankly, if a hotel doesn't have the above, it's off my list.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4710 posts
Is it possible the lodging is currently closed for the off-season? Also, I have found that some of the older places have wobbly internet, and sometimes What's App works better for email. I have also found that some small places just don't feel the urgency to respond as quickly as I would like. And a few places just don't want to do their own reservations, they want to use a service.
Remember that any travel book has info that out-dated by the time it's printed.
Good luck!
Posted by
Paradise
6643 posts
Family-run B&B operators often take vacations at this time of year and do not have staff back home to handle bookings.
"Rick Steves recommended hotels" are not kept secrets. They are nearly always somewhere on the internet, whether it's their own website, the local tourist information office website, booking.com, Tripadvisor, or all of these.
Strategies for you...
1) Do a Google-search with the addresses of the innkeepers you've plucked from Rick's materials.
2) The TI offices have all or nearly all the accommodations listings. Find Rick's picks there or find somethiing comparable. Keep in mind that the list of Rick's places is very small and probably limits your criteria choices (refunds if canceled, beds, bed types, parking, etc.) unnecessarily .Some TI website listing links below...
Posted by
Oregon
365 posts
I would add- if you haven’t already be sure you’re checking your spam folder. Many times things get clogged even if it is a reply to your email. I’ve had it take a few days, but never more than 2 weeks to hear back if I have a question. All hotels I’ve looked to book from RS have websites that answer most questions I have and are bookable there.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Appreciate all of these recommendations. The search continues...
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1293 posts
Why not call them. They can probably speak English if listed in Rick's books. Note the time difference and don't call during breakfast. As noted mid March- April and November to mid December are the between seasons, especially in ski regions.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2407 posts
As Russ mentioned, the Tourist Information Offices are very helpful. I used the one in Bacharach to reserve my favorite pkace, one that I have now visited 5 times. The one in Gengenbach was helpful 3 times to make reservations