I am in the planning stages of a 17 day trip thru the Alps and Into the Berner Oberland. The plan is a year from now September 2020. Starting out in Lugano and then basically roughly following Ricks advice for 2 weeks by Train. I’ve been online and can’t believe how booked the hotels are that Rick recommends. Again, I’ve been looking at mid to late September 2020 and it seems so much is booked. In fact just about all his recommendations. Am I missing something?
Posted by
OP
41 posts
I completely agree. I’ve always used his recommendations and he rarely disappoints. Just hoping that a year in advance is enough time! Kind of blows my mind!!
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1881 posts
Try Booking.com. There are many nice hotels en route. RS only lists a few compared to the large number available that are just as nice.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5364 posts
You might also check Melide, which is a short 6 minute train ride from Lugano. Several years ago, I stayed at the Hotel Riviera which has balcony rooms overlooking the water - one of my favorite hotel stays! The breakfast room is also on a deck on the lake.
I was just checking their availability (through booking.com) for September 2020 and it's also showing nothing available. But yet they have rooms available (and a special running on their website) for this September. Seems odd, and makes me wonder ….
Are you looking at booking engines? Perhaps the hotels you are checking just haven't released room inventory that far out?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8880 posts
Lugano
Hotel international. Au Lac. Was where we stayed on Rick Steves Tour.
I think you may be a little too early and that is why hotels aren’t showing availability. Contact the hotels directly to inquire.
Posted by
OP
41 posts
All great input! Thanks to all of you!
Posted by
Washington DC
28073 posts
In the US, rooms even at large chain hotels are virtually never bookable online more than 365 days ahead, and even that may be too soon. It isn't yet mid-September 2019, so my guess is that it's just too early. Emailing won't hurt; calling might work better, if there's a specific place where you're dying to stay.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17427 posts
i think it is still too early to book for next September. I was looking for a place in Locarno in mid-July and found no availability until a week ago.
Chains like Ibis might opennup booking a year ahead, but small family-run places generally do not like to take bookings for next year until this year's main season is finished; they are too busy!