Yogyakarta Travel Forum

Have tried booking hotels for March, but no one replies. Have sent emails, booked on web sites, sent faxes. Is it too early to book for the first week of March or is this the normal trend in Indonesia? No replies from Duta Garden or Homestay....no reply from Istans Griya in Solo...same as Royal Dago in Bandung. Any suggestions anyone...hate to leave it to the last or walk in and find a room. Guess I'm too old for this. Would rather have a confirmed booking before I go.

Hi Katie,

Yes, this may well be a trend. I suppose they do not check their email daily. For last Christmas I tried to book a hotel in Mataram, Lombok, and in the end had to call them by telephone.

On the other hand, it is seldom necessary to book, it is rare that hotels are fully booked. So my wife and I usually set out without booking and we always find a suitable place to stay. Last Christmas I booked in Lombok because it was said to be 'high season' (with increased prices). No way! All hotels were half full and offered a discount even without us asking.

I looked at the calender, March is low season. The only holidays are the weekend of 7 to 9 March (Hari Raya Nyepi). Are you coming in before the weekend? Then I suggest that you come without a confirmed booking.

That weekend there may be some more domestic tourists, especially in Bandung, where 'Jakartanese' come shopping. If you do not want to take the risk, the only thing you can still try a telephone call.

Regards,
Theo

HI!

It took Duta Gardens almost a week to reply to me....so patience and perserverance must be exercised I guess....

It's quite normal for Indonesia. I think that, although most websites are in english, many people actually don't speak it well enough to reply to emails. It's rather frustrating. 20 March (The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday), and 21 March (Good Friday) are also public holidays in Indonesia, and it could be quite busy with domestic travellers.

Thanks everyone...will wait out this week...then get on the phone and hope our accents match.But that will be so close to departure time. Or maybe I will wait till I get to Jakarta and then book with an agent. Might be safer, I think.Thanks all.

Hi warm regards from Jaya raya wisata tours and travel batam.
i'm feni. could i intruduse?
im feni working at tours and travel batam.
if u any tour to indonesia could handle it?
may i inform hotel what u request?
- royal dago bandung hotel rate 45usd / room / nite for supperior room.

thks n rgds,
feni