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A PLACE AND RESERVING 
Getting ready to plan a vacation
to the Lakes Region? If so, the first piece of information
you might be seeking is where you will stay. How should you go
about it? What should you ask and what should you say?
When choosing an establishment to
host your vacation, you should by examining what your primary
expectations and needs are. For larger families or groups, it's
often handy to write down everything prior to placing a
reservation. Note the total number of people, their ages,
who smokes and who doesn't, and other special needs such as a
cot. If you've got a list of points to cover, you're
obviously less likely to leave out an important detail which can
cause problems later.
If one person is making a
reservation for three rooms, and the three rooms are going to be
occupied by three individual parties, all of which are going to
arrive and check in at different times, be sure that your host
knows this and give them the names of everyone. Failing to
do so can lead to confusion at check in. It's important to give as
much information as possible. Also be sure that you realize
the obligation you are accepting. When you make a
reservation for ten rooms for your family reunion, you will be
asked for your credit card to guarantee ALL of the rooms.
While you expect and have planned for each of occupants of the ten
rooms to pay individually at check in, if any or all of them fail
to show up, the cost of their room is going on your credit card.
Unlike larger hotels of bigger
cities, here in the Lakes Region, room rates are generally based
on double occupancy. Giving a false number of people or showing up
with a few friends will likely result in an additional nightly
charge. If you think you may have a few last minute friends
come along with you, be sure your host knows this.
Otherwise, you may be assigned to a room that can only accommodate
one or two people. It's also important to remember that kids
count, no matter how young. If you make a reservation for
two people and show up with two people an a baby, you can cause
your host unnecessary headaches and possible extra charges for
you. Why? Many places will group parties with young
children or babies together in one section of a building.
This reduces the chances of your baby disturbing the couple in
room next door who came for peace and quiet, because it's their
honeymoon.
If a member of your party is
disabled in some way, be sure to discuss it with your host so that
proper accommodations can be made. A vacation can be quickly
ruined by finding out that your room is on the second floor and
you have a broken leg.
Many properties advertise having
rooms with a view of the lake or the mountains. They may
have rooms with a view, but don't plan on all of their rooms
having a view. If a view is important, avoid disappointment
by being sure to specifically ask for a room with a view. On
the flip side, although it may be unadvertised, the rates for a
room without a view might be a little less.
Unless you tell the lodging
establishment what your specific needs are, your stay may not be
quite what you had in mind. Most lodging establishments around
here are very helpful, friendly, and are family owned and
operated. Often, the owners are networked with other lodging
owners in the area, who share similar properties. They will be
usually be glad to refer you to something more appropriate if they
can not accommodate you. Avoid making the mistake of confusing
them for information services, though.
Once you have found a place to
stay, placing your reservation is the next step. Call during
regular business hours, as a vast majority of properties in the
Lakes Region are family owned and don't offer 24 hour front
desks. You'll be asked for your contact information as well
of several other pieces of information. No area
establishment will hold a room for you without a credit card,
unless you've already paid by advance check or money order. The
only other exception would for guests who have been staying at one
particular property for their summer vacation for many years, and
have become close friends with the owner.
Don't call to place your
reservation until you have checked with the others in your party
for decisions, schedules, and pricing. Never leave an
establishment hanging, as many establishments have experienced a
number of callers who promise to call back, only to blow them off
because the caller found something else elsewhere. Lodging
establishments are not obligated to hold rooms for you on just a
promise, and they will book the vacancy to the next caller. In
peak vacation periods, a room available five minutes ago may be
gone by the time you call back after you have made up your mind.
If for any reason you must cancel your reservation, be sure to
follow the cancellation policy provided by the establishment. You
must cancel within a the period they specify, usually 7 to 15 days
in advance, to avoid a fee. Remember, lodging hosts continuously
turn away potential bookings while your reserved unit is on their
books. If you fail to inform them that you can't make it within
their cancellation period, lodging owners are within their legal
rights to impose a cancellation fee or charge you the full amount
to compensate for a booking cancelled that may not be able to be
re-booked on short notice.
