Can I simply walk in and book a room on the Costas

Banio_Medico

Hi All , can anyone kindly advise or have the experience of just arriveing at any of the large hotels in the popular resorts in Spain and assumeing there is vacancies, just book a room for a few nights or a week.
I am a singley, and could possibly just secure a last minute flight on the spur, but not have a hotel to coincide with said flight. Work is pretty slack at the moment, and if before the holiday season really starts could get a short break in soon.
Is there a walk in room rate as opposed to a package deal.
I suppose I could start frantically phoneing around but just thought I would ask , better look around some more, any tips saves getting square eyes,
Have been having password problems so thanks for now in advance.:beer:

Doshwaster

I'm sure you would be OK as long as you are prepared to walk around and negotiate hard -and as long as it isn't at the peak of the season. All hotels display a "rack rate" but nobody ever pays them.

The best time to get a good walk-in rate is in the evening. If they don't fill the room in the next few hours they'll make £0 for the room so they make be willing to accept any amount which covers their costs (basically cleaning the room), especially if it is only for one night and you don't want any breakfast. For a basic hotel in the Costas I'd offer €20 and see if they a) accept it b) laugh at you.

Then again if you have time to book a last minute flight you also have time to book a last minute hotel room online. You might not get as good a price as in person but you'd save the hassle of walking around. Try sites such as laterooms.com and lastminute.com

terryw

Very good advice from Doshwaster. Many hotels in Spain are desperate for bookings and an hour or so checking comparison sites before you go can result in really excellent pre-booked prices......don't forget the cashback sites as well for a bit of extra.

I have never had much much joy with reductions just turning up in the evening in Spain - I found the receptionists had a "take it or leave it" attitude. In the UK, the price is definitely negotiable in the evening.

suicidebob

You'll be lucky to get a good deal by just turning up. Most hotels have a sales strategy in place - I assume even touristy hotels - and they see the walk-in guest as a chance to make a killing.

Staffing levels will have been set earlier in the day, revenue will have been estimated as well, and an additional room late in the evening is just a pain in the !!!, particularly if you're looking for rock-bottom rates.

GlynD

Yes you can but I'd be surprised if you got any kind of a good deal. I'd be more inclined to suss out a good hotel on expedia.co.uk or hotels.com and other sites like that as they'll have really big knock downs on good hotels who think they're not going to sell the rooms on time. Walking into a hotel and asking for a room is a gift to all hotelliers because they'll just charge the normal (top) rate and point to the sign showing what their room rates are.

ManAtHome

Check out Travel Republic, Alpharooms, and booking.com - I've never had much 'give' as a walk-in in Spain, but your mileage may vary as they say...

jamsandwiches

I live in a holiday resort in Spain but not there at the moment so can't have a look for you but can tell you that last season there were lots of hotels with large notices on the walls outside (facing the main roads) advertising cut price rates during June and September. Was very suprised at this as it was the first time I had ever seen it so maybe this season there will be bargains to be had.
The Spanish usually holiday at the coast in July and August so you will have to be quick to get there before them.

madelaine

Hi, a couple of times we have needed to book a room just for one night, and ended up paying more for the one night than we had for the nights we had prebooked, Have contacted hotels too in the past before travel for a room rate, and have always been more expensive than booking through sites like alpha rooms etc.

Dawning

BudgetExpert wrote: »

You can try Arts Hotel Barcelona situated at Carrer de la Marina, 19-21
Barcelona. Hotel Arts Barcelona is one of the most popular 5 Star Luxury Hotels in the city. Owned by the Palace Carlton group it offers you modern and high quality accommodation right on the sea front.

Having stayed at this hotel - I was not the one paying - I can only react to this post with a :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: as a response to anyone who is looking for a good deal/budget hotel...

Doshwaster

The only way this could possibly work is if you turn up late in the evening and only want a room for one night, preferably without breakfast. They aren't going to give you a deal for a whole week as there is a good chance they will get a booking from someone paying the normal rate.

2010

Anyone booking a last minute flight would be lucky to get a cheap one because the "low costs" don`t work that way.

When you book a flight the next thing to do is visit the sites mentioned in post 6 plus a few others.
There is no need to turn up abroad with no accommodation secured, although some airports such as Palma do have desks where you can find a hotel etc.