meson del barro

[keilnirby]

I was planning on reserving a room in this hostel for July 16 when I will now be arriving in Pamplona; however, when I received an email from them I was given a quote and asked to send my credit card information via email. They would then charge me in full -- a month before I arrive.

Is this normal? In the U.S. there may be a small fine for cancellations, but I've never heard of this.

 

[spursfan]

If you want the room you should be prepared to pay in advance - a small cancellation charge is only appropriate when the hostel would have no trouble in re-letting the space should you not show up

 

[keilnirby]

Good point...however I'm still a little reluctant to give out my credit card via email. Maybe I'm being overly cautious.

Has anyone stayed at the Meson Del Barro recently?

 

[ivar]

Not sure if I would have e-mailed my creditcard number either.

Maybe you could send them a fax with the number?

 

[keilnirby]

Hadn't thought of that...I will fax the number instead. Thanks Ivar.

--Neil

 

[KiwiNomad06]

It is quite normal to pay either the whole fee or some percentage of booking fee when you book a hostel online. But it isn't normal to have to put it in an e-mail. Many hostels have secure online booking facilities. I wouldn't put it in an e-mail either.

 

[Trudy]

While I've never stayed in this hostel, all hotels and hostels I've booked in Europe have asked for a credit card number up-front. But this is for security only, no payment is deducted until you check-out of the hotel.

If you don't show up, and haven't cancelled the room, then you will be charged the full fee.

Email the hostel and ask if they will be charging for the room at the time of booking.

 

[keilnirby]

Yes, the full fee as soon as they get the number. I thought about faxing, but I learned that my fax at work has a lock for international numbers. I emailed them and asked if I could just send a check, but was again asked if I could fax it instead.

Something tells me the place is probably legit, but for 12 euros more I might reserve another place I have in mind that uses online booking. Hate to give the money to the bigger establishment, but at least I'll have the peace of mind. It is my first stop, after all.

I'll be arriving in Pamplona around 5:45 pm (or 17:45 -- I'd better get used to that) and it might be too late to nab a spot in the abergue. Quality isn't an issue, since the hostel is really just to sleep off jetlag and relax before I start off to Cizur Menor.

Anyone else getting into Pamplona around that time? I'd love to start off with someone if possible.

 

[Athena]

my hotel in santiago confirmed my reservation via email, and indicated that they'd call me to obtain my credit card info. they did so when they said they would, so i was comfortable with that.

depending on your degree of personal security, i suggest seeing if you can schedule a time to receive/call them and provide your information over the phone.

good luck!
athena