Dresden Travel Forum

I've booked a privatzimmer and I was asked to sign a paper called "Reservierungsbestatigung" which is only in German. They told me that only the German version was available. I have never been asked to sign any papers for booking an accommodation in other European cities. Could anyone let me know if it is a normal practice in Germany? Or is it a trap?

Thank you.

The word means Confirmation

It's a reservation confirmation. It means that you accept their terms, and they have to hold the room for you until a certain check-in time, say 6 pm. It also means you are liable for the room costs for a no-show. If you don't sign, the room isn't officially reserved. And if someone else wants it, they will book it to them, if you don't get there first.

You may not have been asked to sign anything elsewhere, but if you have given your credit card number to any hotel, it performs the same function of confirming your reservation and binding both parties to certain conditions. I would guess that this particular place has had no-shows in the past, which costs them money as they are keeping a room they could possibly have let to someone else who phoned later.

Strictly seen a room reservation is always binding for both sides. It's no disadvantage for both sides to have a written confirmation.

> Or is it a trap?
Unlikely. When dealing with private customers in Germany (i.e. no b2b relation) it's only possible to make rules more beneficial for the customer than what is defined by the law. Never to the disadvantage of the customer.

But under German law a room rental is treated like a long term rental of an appartment. Binding for both sides. Thus if one side is not fulfilling its part, the other side can claim the damage/lost profit. Which means if you don't show up you have still to pay for the room (but e.g. not for the breakfast) as long as the room could not be rented to another party. Also if you cancel in advance you have to pay still a more or less big share of the rental fee, depending how far in advance you cancel the room.

But I guess such a confirmation is mainly a reminder that you show up. Don't think a private person will bring you before court abroad. Hotels which ask for your credit card details have it easier. They can just charge your credit card in such a case.

Thank you all.