Eurofurence Information > Questions & Answers
Estrel last minutes offers
Dhary Montecore:
Dear attendees,
first of all please understand that the entire situation is more than frustrating to all of the con staff as well. Especially as there is nothing we can do about it. And when you read the following please keep in mind that Eurofurence has NO influence on the bookings and it's all the info that we have.
The important bit is that there is 99.9% chance that everyone with a confirmed booking will get a room. To our knowledge there are a mere of 12 overbookings left in total and that number is decreasing. The email you got is meant as an offer to all attendees, but more to relax the situation faster than to resolve it at all. The Estrel does have "emergency hotel rooms" in case of overbookings like this that they would use in case these last few people really can't be sorted out. So everyone who got a confirmed booking will get a room. But the Estrel is a company and the chance is 99.9%. And because that 0.1% chance that one or two may not fit in exist, they have to tell everyone that the worst case is possible. That is the entire story.
I can only ask and urge you to keep calm and get excited about the convention. The Estrel WILL sort you out and they have a reputation to loose.
Now I know even though everything is fine I know you will want to know what happens if there really is any overbooking left in the end: First of all we're talking about less than a handful of attendees so even if that would happen, chances that it hits you are even lower. As I said the Estrel has some "emergency rooms" which are regular hotelrooms but not normally in use. These would be activated first and that would be the end of any problem.
Just to clarify on the legal state @Cookie: Yes, if you have a booking confirmation you have a legal contract with the hotel, but before you paid it in full it's still open and (like every hotel on this planet) the small print in the terms and conditions allow the Estrel to move your booking into a different hotel of the same class and give you vouchers for a taxi for the days for example.
To summarise: EF has nothing to do with nor any influence on the bookings. What we know is only that there are very little overbookings left and the hotel is extremely confident that they will sort everyone out in the end. But as a company they can not give you any hope if there is the slightest chance that things don't work out. (yes their wording with "banned" is horrible and will be addressed).
So everyone keep calm, it's all under control and the entire staff is just as frustrated as you but also really looking forward to give you your time of the year in only four weeks from now! :3
Ivanhorse:
Thank you very much Dhary Montecore.
I know the con doesn't have control over the hotel, but just the information you provided in your reply has gone a long way to alleviating my fears about our travel plans. I hope that as more information comes to light, you will continue to keep us informed.
And yes, I am getting excited about a great con! Can't wait to see all of you in Berlin!!
Thanks,
Ivan Horse
MrEvers:
I do feel that, as soon as it is possible, there needs to be an official EF announcement with mails and such to address the issue before rumours and half-truths start to spread and to calm people down who might be worried they won't have a room after all.
I already know a dozen friends that aren't coming this year, because ladenpocalypse left them without a room. The longer this is left hanging, the more negative it will reflect on EF, even if we can't do anything about it.
EDIT: I'm paying up front, btw, you can ask the hotel to pay them by bank transfer, this way I have a reserved and paid for room.
Cheetah:
--- Quote from: MrEvers on 14.07.2017, 13:27:54 ---I do feel that, as soon as it is possible, there needs to be an official EF announcement with mails and such to address the issue before rumours and half-truths start to spread and to calm people down who might be worried they won't have a room after all.
--- End quote ---
That's easier said than done :) As Dhary has said earlier, we've been told this only affects a very small number of people, and we do not know the names. If I sent an alarming mail to all 2500+ registered people instead, I'm afraid that would make it worse :)
I think it's save to say: If you have booked a room with the Estrel, you have a valid contract, and they are obligued to give you accomodation. So under no circumstances should ANYBODY arrive at the con, and find out they have no place to sleep. If you have a reservation, you will have accomodation.
The Management knows very well that their bookings provider have screwed up, and they are trying everything to minimize the number of affected people.
MrEvers:
Of course, but the mail from the Estrel might cause alarm and confusion in and of itself.