Begin with exact dates and guest details
A hotel cannot provide a useful answer to “How much is a room?” without knowing the dates and who is travelling. State the check-in and check-out dates and the numbers of adults and children. If children are travelling, include their ages, as this may affect the permitted accommodation, sleeping arrangements and final conditions.
Check the dates before sending. Common mistakes include entering a number of nights that does not match the dates or selecting the wrong month. Write both dates in full and add the expected arrival time if known. If the journey is still changing, say so, allowing the hotel to distinguish provisional information from confirmed details.
If you are considering two periods, list them separately and ask for each to be checked.
- check-in and check-out dates;
- number of adults;
- number and ages of children;
- approximate arrival time;
- clearly separated alternative periods, if any.
Confirm the accommodation, not only the category name
A room name begins the selection but does not always explain how everyone will sleep. State whether separate or shared sleeping arrangements are required and ask the hotel to confirm the configuration of the option available for your dates.
Compare photographs and descriptions belonging to the same category rather than unrelated images from different sources. If a balcony, kitchen or another feature matters, ask the hotel directly. Do not treat a feature as confirmed merely because it appears in an old listing or review.
The Hotel Alamat rooms page contains the published categories and photographs. Current availability still needs to be checked for the selected period.
Ask for the total price and rate details
The price must apply to your dates, number of guests and selected accommodation. Check the total amount for the complete stay and what the offer includes. This is more reliable than multiplying a figure from an old publication, as rates and conditions may change.
If meals or another component are mentioned, confirm the format, number of guests and period to which the condition applies. Third-party services such as transport, equipment hire and organised mountain programmes must not automatically be added to the accommodation price or treated as included. Obtain their price and confirmation from the relevant provider.
Before paying, retain the room category, dates, guests, total amount and conditions in one clear confirmation.
Check arrival, departure and what happens if plans change
Confirm the applicable check-in and check-out times before booking. If you expect a late arrival or early departure, report this in advance and wait for a separate reply. A comment informs the hotel but does not by itself confirm a special arrangement.
Ask whether dates can be changed, whether the stay can be cancelled and when a prepayment is refundable if the offer requires one. The answer must apply to your rate because conditions may differ between offers.
If the trip involves travel, skiing or an organised mountain programme, retain an alternative contact method. Changes to weather or activities do not automatically amend the accommodation conditions.
Separate essential requirements from preferences
Prepare two short lists. The first should contain requirements without which the accommodation is unsuitable: the required number of sleeping places, the ability to accommodate the complete party, an essential room feature or an agreed arrival time. The second should contain preferences that are welcome but do not determine the decision.
If parking, equipment storage, meals or another service is important, request confirmation for your specific period. Do not assume that all directories are updated simultaneously.
Arrange third-party services directly with their providers. Booking a room does not book transport, equipment hire or a guide.
Checking availability and confirming a booking are different stages
A message or availability enquiry does not allocate a room automatically. If you contact the hotel directly, wait for an unambiguous reply covering availability, category, price and conditions. If you use the online booking system, follow its steps until it issues the booking result and confirmation.
Useful confirmation identifies the guest name, dates, number and ages of guests, selected accommodation and the next required step. If prepayment is required, check the recipient, amount, payment reference and refund conditions before transferring money. Do not pay using details from an unexpected message until the contact has been checked against the hotel’s official channels.
Save the confirmation and hotel telephone number. Use the English contact page for the address and maps.
What to have ready before you contact the hotel
A useful message contains your name, telephone number, dates, adults and children, preferred category, essential requirements and preferred means of reply. There is no need to describe the entire itinerary unless it affects accommodation.
After receiving a reply, compare it with the original request. If the hotel proposes another category or period, ask for the total price and conditions to be confirmed again.
Use the booking information page and live availability section for the current English booking process. Do not buy non-refundable tickets based solely on an unconfirmed accommodation enquiry.