The Eurofurence Forum

Eurofurence Information => Questions & Answers => Topic started by: Deyja on 10.01.2016, 10:20:44

Title: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Deyja on 10.01.2016, 10:20:44
so, first time going to eurofurence this year, very excited about it  ;D

however, when i woke up this morning and tried to reserve a hotel room it kept saying that i should contact the hotel directly ??? ???
i thought it might have been a problem with my browser or my cookies, so i tried to use my mobile
there it said that it was past the cutoff date.. (see attached)

does this mean that all the rooms are allready filled?
or am i just panicing without reason?
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Shinji170981 on 10.01.2016, 10:26:16
The online booking option has been disabled for now.
You need to write an email to them, in order to book a room. :)
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Deyja on 10.01.2016, 10:28:27
well shit... (doesn't like writing emails  :-X)
but thank you ^^
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: FinnOWolf on 10.01.2016, 11:25:47
Is there a reason for it to be disabled? The number of registrations is already high but as the hotel is big I doubt that all the rooms would be booked already.  ??? ???
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Wawik on 10.01.2016, 11:41:07
Well, considering that there were over 2,000 registrations within the first six hours, there is a certain probability that they may have exhausted the initial room block over night.

If the web site says to contact the hotel it's probably best to email them or phone them up. Last year they were running a waiting list, and there's usually some reshuffling going on once the dust settles and when people share rooms with their friends some double reservations are usually freed up.

You can also check right here in the room sharing board (https://forum.eurofurence.org/index.php/board,11.0.html) to see whether you can team up with someone else, or, penutimately check this thread (https://forum.eurofurence.org/index.php/topic,6063.0.html) for alternative accomodation in the area. It doesn't hurt to book a fully refundable(!) room elsewhere, then cancel that one when you get a spot at the Estrel.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Deyja on 10.01.2016, 11:55:54
whelp... email sent :-X
now lets hope for the best
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Woxy on 10.01.2016, 12:26:45
I am pretty sure some people booked a room extra to be on a safe side and some will be open up...I personally will post here if I dont need mine anymore, because its a right thing to do :)
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: zuzu on 10.01.2016, 12:43:54
Same here. Sent the mail to the hotel.

Now waiting for the reply. Let's hope the best :)
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: FinnOWolf on 10.01.2016, 14:39:19
Good news!

The hotel room booking page is functional again. ^^
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Deyja on 10.01.2016, 14:46:55
huh, guess that was just for a minute or two then, because it's giving the same errors again..
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: FinnOWolf on 10.01.2016, 14:51:21
huh, guess that was just for a minute or two then, because it's giving the same errors again..

That was very unexpected. o_O
Keep checking the page and it might open up again for a short moment. Lets hope for the best.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Lutra on 10.01.2016, 16:41:34
I mailed them and also gave them my phone number and they called me back. We clarified some questions and I got my reservation.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: zuzu on 10.01.2016, 18:04:16
I also mailed them and they've sent me back the confirmation.
Anything is sorted now, I have a confirmed reservation :)
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Deyja on 10.01.2016, 18:14:13
haven't heard anything yet, but there's like 8 months left
so i'm not going to let this ruin my spirit  ;D
i'll find some way anyway *excited*
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Lizeron on 10.01.2016, 18:45:30
Emailed and called them. They told me thatvthey will not book rooms for all existing emails due to lack of rooms. If this is true i will surely be sad/upset
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Cheetah on 10.01.2016, 19:37:27
I do NOT have any up to date information about hotel capacities ... the estrel is still busy sorting out reservations. However, looking at the number of total registrations we got during this first weekend, it is a pretty safe bet, that rooms will be gone at SOME point.

So, I thought it might be a good idea to bring this thread (https://forum.eurofurence.org/index.php/topic,6063.0.html) back to mind, which lists some pretty good alternatives if you fail to get a space at the main hotel.

Also, it is worth trying external booking portals ... they have a separate room block that we do not have access to, and sometimes they have pretty good deals, too. Be very sure to compare prices and terms of service, though. Like, make sure they can't re-book you to a different hotel, for example.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Deyja on 10.01.2016, 19:58:05
i just now received an email confirming my reservation ^^
i guess the online registration was disabled due to overflow and they're playing catch up right now.

just in time too, i was allready looking up the possibility to reserve at http://www.park-hotel-blub.de/ instead  :P

thank you, everyone who commented thus far
and succes to everyone who hasn't been able to aquire a room yet.

i'll see you all at the convention ^^ (or maybe on another topic ;) )
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Lizeron on 11.01.2016, 00:31:05
Cheetah, could we have an update on what's going on with the rooms? I honestly am amazed that all 800 rooms are booked in less than a single day. Its quite a great setback!
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Cheetah on 11.01.2016, 00:34:50
Cheetah, could we have an update on what's going on with the rooms? I honestly am amazed that all 800 rooms are booked in less than a single day. Its quite a great setback!

Well, over 2000 people signed up on the first day ... you can do the math yourself :)
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: SiranaJHelena on 11.01.2016, 14:44:22
There are probably plenty of reservations for Double Rooms that are only reserved for one person (because that's basically what you get if you book a Single Room).
If you don't have a room, I'd advice you to go to that board: https://forum.eurofurence.org/index.php/board,11.0.html

If you have a room but no roommate yet, I'd advice you doing the same. There are a lot of very nice furries out there still looking for a place in the Estrel. :)
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: FluffyDog on 11.01.2016, 15:18:42
We are three Furrys in one Room more goes not. :)
Sorry we would very like to help you but the Room is Full.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: ANTIcarrot on 11.01.2016, 16:52:35
Just got a rejection letter. Their website is now showing all con dates booked. The hotel is currently fully booked.

Hopefully some will cancel their reservations as they start to double up.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Remix on 11.01.2016, 17:24:07
I sent them an email like 2 minutes after registration was done which was on Saturday at 20:05. I hardly got an answer and they needed extra info to confirm my room. However, two days later I have called them, I emailed them multiple times and my room still isn't confirmed. I personally find it ridicilious that people that DO own a credit card have priority just because it's faster and easier -___-" And now I see the above post that the hotel is booked full already.... That is just great. So now I guess I'll have to look for a different hotel, put myself on the waiting list and wait for any response from the Estrel at all
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: ANTIcarrot on 11.01.2016, 17:44:08
Just got the following from the Hotel:
Quote
Thank you for your kind booking request and your interest at the Estrel Hotel Berlin.
 
With regrets we herewith need to inform you that we are unable to confirm your booking request for Eurofurence 2016.
The Eurofurence allocation as well as the complete hotel are fully booked in all room categories meanwhile.

As a result of the high room booking requests our waiting list is also completely sold and closed.

We kindly ask for your understanding. Thank you.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but they do understand the purpose of a waiting list don't they? It seems a bit premature to declare that there will be no more room cancellations, and thus no more point to a waiting list.

Can someone on the staff PLEASE check whether they mean they've closed it to further application, or they've just junked it, assuming they no longer need it?
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Cheetah on 11.01.2016, 17:48:23
I suppose they know what they are doing. I wish though they would tell US about it, so I can make sure it's coherent with our communication.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Cheetah on 11.01.2016, 18:12:35
Okay, just got the update from the Estrel. All rooms are gone, and the waiting list is already so long it does not make any sense to add more people to it, as they do not expect so many rooms ever becoming available through cancellations.

Time to check your overflow options.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Ralesk on 11.01.2016, 18:40:20
Okay, just got the update from the Estrel. All rooms are gone, and the waiting list is already so long it does not make any sense to add more people to it, as they do not expect so many rooms ever becoming available through cancellations.

Time to check your overflow options.

How on Earth though... with 2100 attendees for <2250 beds ???
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Santa fox on 11.01.2016, 18:52:22
Surprising all rooms went that fast :o truly a testament to the growth of Eurofurence, though. Anyone happen to know if Super Early arrival is also fully booked? Or is it only the period Early arrival - Late departure that's full?

As for rooms disappearing so fast, have a feeling it's people booked in single rooms.

Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: FinnOWolf on 11.01.2016, 20:13:06
As for rooms disappearing so fast, have a feeling it's people booked in single rooms.

Very probable, as people wish to ensure an accommodation for themselves.

It would be interesting to get more precise data over the amount of registrations / time. Because this was totally surprising issue since the rooms did not end so fast last year.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Zr4g0n on 11.01.2016, 20:43:40
More than anything, I'd like to just get my number in the waiting-list, and if possible, how many rooms were opened up last year. If I'm nr 400 on the list, I'm not even gonna wait, and just book somewhere else right now. If I'm nr 4 on the list, I'm gonna wait. However, with no information at all, I can't make an informed choice.

As for the future, perhaps prioritize 2+ reservations over single rooms? I know that for The Gathering (computer-LAN-event thing) you have to first register a user then link together users into a group before you can even buy tickets. I don't know if this could be interesting or even useful for EF, but perhaps that would lighten the load on everyone?
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Lizeron on 11.01.2016, 23:04:36
My queue number on the wait list is 1760836 and it was on 4:00 pm Cet. If this helps people compare numbers tho id appreciate some reference too
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Deyja on 12.01.2016, 00:14:38
My queue number on the wait list is 1760836 and it was on 4:00 pm Cet. If this helps people compare numbers tho id appreciate some reference too
mine was 1759392 on januari 10, 18.30 CET.
payment information was requested and sent today.

hope that helps you.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: ANTIcarrot on 12.01.2016, 02:05:03
More than anything, I'd like to just get my number in the waiting-list, and if possible, how many rooms were opened up last year. If I'm nr 400 on the list, I'm not even gonna wait, and just book somewhere else right now. If I'm nr 4 on the list, I'm gonna wait. However, with no information at all, I can't make an informed choice.

As for the future, perhaps prioritize 2+ reservations over single rooms?
Depending on exactly what happened this year, it may be appropriate to lock out the single option completely. At least until the Estrel Tower comes on line in two years time - hopefully in time for EF24.

2000 people is a lot, but it's only about 80% of the hotel's capacity. (2*1125 + third beds) This does look like a situation that could at least be mitigated for next year.

[edit:]
My booking number was 1760838. If Lizeron got number 1759392 then that's at least 1200 inquiries that the hotel received.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Lizeron on 12.01.2016, 10:54:54
We also cant be certain that the rooms will be cancelled in a proper way. Some might just be handed out between furried themselves. The booking number doesn seem to help much either :p

Edit: i wanted to mention that i will be comin with eqrly arrival and late departure!!
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: woo on 12.01.2016, 23:46:34
Also, it is worth trying external booking portals ... they have a separate room block that we do not have access to, and sometimes they have pretty good deals, too. Be very sure to compare prices and terms of service, though. Like, make sure they can't re-book you to a different hotel, for example.
Do you have any hints on which booking portals? I've gone through DerTour, TUI, booking.com, HRS, Neckermann and four or five others, and they all have no access to Estrel rooms for the EF time.
Title: Re: unable to book a hotel room?
Post by: Strangewolf on 13.01.2016, 01:01:37
Okay, just got the update from the Estrel. All rooms are gone, and the waiting list is already so long it does not make any sense to add more people to it, as they do not expect so many rooms ever becoming available through cancellations.

Time to check your overflow options.

How on Earth though... with 2100 attendees for <2250 beds ???

Some people don't want to share their rooms and there will be several ppl. who just reserved the room first and their friend(s) will register later, because it's not needed to hesitate to register for the con it self, if one of your guys already has a room (there is no general limit for attendees).
So the number of bed-guests might increase notable within the next days and weeks - probably getting little spikes before each phase of prereg-discount ends. ;)

Regards
 - Strange