Emailing ahead of booking

[Scott330ci]

Have you ever emailed your hotel ahead of your booking requesting a certain view or room?

Is it cheeky? Should I expect to be put in an even worse room because I am one of those bloody english?

Its not a posh hotel by far but its what we could afford this year and we would like to make the most of it!

Thanks

[Puggit]

Yes I have, and almost always the request has been acted on, or I've received an apology that they can't give me what I want.

www.booking.com has a section for requests, and they are always forwarded on to hotels - for example.

[The Leaper]

Yes, many times, and usually to hotels where we've stayed before. Obviously, if you want things like executive room, ocean view, balcony, whatever, expect the room rate to rise!

R.

[Deva Link]

Tell 'em it's your honeymoon, wedding anniversary, or whatever.

[Ultuous]

Do it... if you don't ask, you don't get... On the three occasions I've done so:

1. Told them we were repeat visitors (true) and would prefer a sea view/ pool view... got upgraded from a usually comfy 2/3 star in Ibiza to a brand new (that new they hadn't greased the lock and the key got 'welded' into the door on opening it ) 5 star apartment right on the beach... It made the holiday!

2. 4 star hotel in Barcelona - told them it was the missus' birthday (again, true).. Got upgraded to a massive executive suite, complete with access to the roof bar - gorged on free Rioja & Chorizo on the way out and back from site-seeing every day!

3. Different hotel in Ibiza (booked too late for our favourite) - spun the line again about being repeat visitors (this time a lie fabricated in an attempt to get a better room than the bargain basement we were anticipating at the price)... Didn't work - whole place was a sthole, serves me right for telling fibs anyway!

[Scott330ci]

Well I got this back so it may have been worth doing ...

Thank you for your booking. We have taken note of your request and will do our best to make it possible.
See you soon !!

Only requested a pool view room, not an upgrade to the kings suite or anything.

[Roo]

As above. I've done it several times and got upgraded rooms.

Bellagio in Vegas gave the wife and I individual gift cards to use in their shop when we stayed there on our wedding anniversary.

[Ultuous]

Scott330ci said:

Only requested a pool view room, not an upgrade to the kings suite or anything.

Good call... I think asking for a bigger upgrade up-front is pushing your luck... I've never asked for any more than a nice view, but on the occasions I listed above they pulled all the stops out to give preferential treatment, and largely as a result I'll be recommending the places in question to friends, colleagues and family for years to come!