Booking.com - twin rooms

[mw3230]

I’ve used Booking.com for years, booking hotels for small groups and always selecting those hotels which offer twin bedded rooms. This year I’ve been making bookings in Europe for twin bedded rooms (indicated as being available) but subsequent contact from the hotel has stated that the twin bedded rooms are confirmed ‘if available’. It’s no good arriving at a hotel only to find that the room offered has a double bed - my pals are good friends but not that good!

Has anyone any experience of this happening and I wonder how likely it is that the chosen room will not be available

 

[wessie]

There is no way to predict it. Fortunately, in my touring group, the solo travellers like to have their own room!

In the past, especially in Germanic countries, I have found some twin rooms have a double bed base with 2 single mattresses and a 4cm gap. At least in this situation you can lob one mattress on the floor if someone is anxious about spooning their room mate.

Your odds are better with larger chain hotels as they are more likely to have a higher proportion of twin rooms for conferences and coach tours. Your odds might also be better booking direct rather than using those b.con shysters. I use Google maps to search for hotels and always look to see if I can book direct as it is often cheaper, might include breakfast and offer better cancellation terms. If I am using an agent, I prefer the Expedia/Hotels.com group.

 

[mw3230]

I may be wrong here but one of the things I look for on Bokking.com is the option to pay on arrival at the hotel. Everyone pays their own and it saves me collecting money. Would that be an option if I contacted the hotels directly (I know I can easily ask!)

 

[wessie]

I may be wrong here but one of the things I look for on Bokking.com is the option to pay on arrival at the hotel. Everyone pays their own and it saves me collecting money. Would that be an option if I contacted the hotels directly (I know I can easily ask!)

Yes, that is one of my criteria as well whether booking a single room or my regular group. The online booking experience is very similar as most hotels seem to use similar software. You will usually be offered different rates depending on your preferred cancellation terms, whether you want to prepay, include breakfast etc.

 

[Robbieben]

I've had the same myself but in 99% of cases if they offer twin beds it is at worst a large double with room for 2 mates sharing. We've never had any bother tbh but it helps if everyone going is relaxed about the possibility.

 

[richardgore]

Slightly off topic but a little warning about Booking.com.

Last year I had a hotel reserved through them for one of my biking trips in Thailand. I received a message via them to confirm the booking. Only after I had done so I realised it looked dodgy and managed to cancel my card. I wrote to their customer service, as the message had come through them (I checked by logging into my account). No response.

I've just had the same occur for a booking in South Korea this year (another biking trip) but sussed it out straight away and the hotel themselves picked it up pretty quickly. Contacted customer service at Booking.com again and still no response.

I will no longer be using them due to this happening twice and hearing nothing from them. I'm using Expedia for now.

 

[wessie]

Slightly off topic but a little warning about Booking.com.

yes, they seem to be more susceptible to scammers and they have a poor record of resolving matters, then there is the very long delays to paying some of the smaller businesses who really cannot afford a delay in cash flow

booking direct is by far the safest method as you are not using an intermediary for communication

 

[Doc]

Never tried Expedia as generally use booking.com and occasionally book direct with hotel.