Getting hotel rates in the proper currency

Hotels will usually list in several currencies, converting it to the one selected, so the rate in Euro should be the same in the local currency as the one in USD. Which website(s) are you using?

I'm on the specific hotel websites [INVALID] not Orbitz or anything. So far, the two that I'm running in to this with are: Arcotel Allegra and the Best Western Hotel Astoria. Both in Zagreb.

For the Artcotel Allegra Zagreb, you will find a [INVALID]down box to change the currency (and the language) near the top center of the page showing the room rates, once you list your arrival and departure dates. The Best Western also allows you to change currencies once you [INVALID] the "View Available Rooms," although they don't seem to offer the Kuna......you will find that most of these sites are linked to an automatic conversion table based on what the various currencies are trading for (like a site where you'd check the latest exchange rates for various currencies) so the difference would be relatively minimal from day to day.

Okay, I see that now. That is so strange that the only currency not on the list is the currency for Croatia! Thanks for trying Norm!

Okay, I wanted to resurrect this post, because now I have more insight... I have been looking up rates for apartments, B&B's and small hotels. On these sites, you cannot change the rate when you are searching for dates like on the big hotels. These establishments either have a page simply showing what their rates are, or I have to email them to inquire. Some websites and/or email replies from owners are being quoted in Euros. On a few of the emails, I responded and asked for a quote in their local currency. Some of the owners replied and based the new price quote by converting the local currency's from Euros based on that day's exchange rate. This is wrong! What they're doing is benefitting from the strength of the Euro. Does anyone know what I mean? I hope I'm explaining myself clearly. Here is a great example of a response I received from an owner of an apartment in Dubrovnik: "Price: EUR 80,00 per day. So total price for 5 nights and 2 persons is EUR 400,00. We will apply for 2011 the same prices as it is in 2010. Today 1,00 EUR is ca 7,30 KN. So, today EUR 400,00 is ca KN 2.920,00."
I'm not the only one who feels this way. I was on Tripadvisor looking up reviews on an establishment in Krakow, and someone commented similarly, and pointed out that they were charged 8% more because of the owners converting the rate from the Euro instead of having a rate based first on their local currency. When they complained, the owner gave in. I've decided that I will not be staying at any establishment that does this. The dollar is weak against the Euro, and one of the advantages to traveling in Eastern Europe now (except Slovenia) is that these countries aren't yet on the Euro. So the trip is much more affordable for our budget. Am I being unreasonable?

Amy, It is not unusual for hotels in Eastern Europe set and quote their rates in Euros. For example, I recall that a couple of years ago when I was staying in Dubrovnik, the hotel quoted a rate in Euros; however, when I actually paid, I paid in Croatian kuna.

It would seem to me that you are going to have to convert your dollars to something. So if they give you a rate today of "X" euros which they then converted into "Y" of the local currency based on that day's rate, as far as you are concerned if you are going to pay them in their currency converted from US dollars, what is the difference? Let's use your Croatian example. Using your 400 euros, that is $547.62 US as I type this. And today 400 euro converts to 2952.22 KN. And go to pay that today in KN, and you will find that you need $547.62 US to give you 2952.22 KN. Yes, the rates can change by the time you go, but it changes for all. Realistically, if places throughout Europe, even those not on the euro, quote their rates in euros, then you don't have to do on the spot conversions in your head to do relative pricing against other places throughout Europe. You know what you are looking at. And if when you go to pay the amount of local currency is greater than it would have been when you asked for this several months earlier, then you can be certain that if left in Euros your dollar amount would still be increased just the same. The only way to be sure of your price when you are booking is to have it in dollars, which there is no reason for someone not using dollars to do, or pay them in advance that day at that exchange rate.
They feel that they should get 400euro for their place, based on what the euro is worth to them. Not to you. it's their economy, not ours, that sets their standard.

Okay, yes, no matter what, we have to convert the dollar to something. But you say it doesn't matter which currency and I would have to say that's not true. If the dollar is strong against the Kuna, but weak against the Euro, and they keep converting their price against the Euro, their price will keep increasing for me instead of going down for me which it should if the dollar is remaining strong against their currency. If these Eastern Europeans country's currencies improved at the same rate of the Euro, than the EU would have already gladly accepted them in. Their economy's aren't as strong, which is where Americans may still be able to benefit when traveling there. Let me try to give an example to explain my point: Let's say I am checking out of the hotel today, and the value of the KN vs the $ has changed but the Euro is the same. Let's say it's .10K = $1 instead of the .18549K = $1 that it was when they quoted me the price. Well, going off of what you say, I'm going to pay $547.60, instead of $292.00. UNLESS, when they quoted me the price of 2920KN, that was locked in. Then of course, I WILL benefit from the change in currency since I'm going to actually pay in Kuna. Does that make sense? I swear it smells like burning wood in here considering how my head is smoking trying to wrap around this! It's so confusing!!!

I never quote back part of a message but I am placing yur sentence here. "Some of the owners replied and based the new price quote by converting the local currency's from Euros based on that day's exchange rate. This is wrong!" Exactly what conversion do you want them to use when they give their euro rate in local currency? How can they possibly be wrong to give it in that day's rate? Are they supposed to use the rate from when they first put up their ad? Are they supposed to look at the dates you want to be there and say this is what it will be in our currency 6 months from now? At that point have the reservation made in their currency quoted on the day you are making the reservation, which is no different than doing it in their posted euro rate. By the time you then buy their currency, this may be to your advantage or disadvantage, but this would be upfront for everyone. And fair for everyone. I would suspect that any place that quotes its rates in euros would also accept euros. I just saw this with two small places we have reserved in Budapest and Krakow. Neither accepts credit cards, I verified in Hungary places such as this that are private enterprises are not allowed to accept credit cards. They both state that they accept their local money, euros and USD.
And if you fear this will become unfavorable to you in 6 months, pay it in advance, they may even give you a discount.

Ok, thanks Larry. I guess now that you've given me these scenarios, I understand. I guess if when they quote me the converted rate when I ask, if it locks the local currency rate as of the day I asked, I'm ok with it. I'm just wondering how people are natives of the country feel about it. Or maybe they're used to it? If I was traveling somewhere in the US and they only quoted their prices in another currency, it would be kind of annoying. It's just that I'm confident that the dollar will be reasonably strong against the Eastern European currencies, but I'm not so confident that it will be that way for the Euro. Thanks for your help!

Oh, and to answer your question: I thought that they should have a rate in the local currency in addition to the Euro. But I know that wouldn't make sense as then the two rates would basically be different day to day. I know that you say that it's easier for a lot of their European tourists to get an idea of cost by quoting it in Euros, but really, how hard is it to go to xe.com and convert it? They could even put a link on their site. I won't get off the fact that I believe it's to their benefit to give their rate in Euros as the Euro is strong... Even though you've helped me understand, I'm still not going to stay anywhere that's quoted their rates in Euros. I have plenty of great, highly rated locations that didn't do this, so I think I'm fine...

Not everyone knows how to design a web page well. Especially to set it up for a language they might not be really good at. So the Croatian site in question is designed simply and for where the bulk of their users are likely to be coming from, the e.u. Hence price in euro. I am sure that the few Croatians who might inquire about the hotel could easily pick up their phone and get their rate quoted in their currency, something really difficult for those of us who are not Croatian! And even without a link to a currency conversion site, US travelers and e.u travelers not on the euro likely know how to get the conversion done.
But let's reverse the situation. Let's take a small resort in Guatemala. They are on the Quetzal. Almost all their business comes from the US, so they advertise in dollars. Now someone from Europe, Croatia even, wants to go there. Should they feel that there is an issue because the price is not quoted in the Quetzals they'd be using? I would think they'd do the same thing as I have described, ask for what this rate is in Quetzals and get a commitment to it. There is nothing wrong with your not wanting to take the room if they won't give you the local currency rate as of the day you reserve, and leave your rate floating, as it were. And you are in the majority view that our Euros are going to be more costly this summer. When I watched this last year I noticed that the currency we would be needing, the Czech Koruna, moved with the Euro, and I believe that the other solid European currencies will also. I do not know about Croatia. However, do you think anyone is going to highly value the US Dollar as this year and our economic troubles progress? But that is part of the variable in traveling abroad - what will the prices really be, will airfares go up or down, and so on.

Thanks, Larry. Your Guatamala example was perfect to put it into perspective for me! Thanks for understanding my dilemma and weighing in! You've been a lot of help...