Was about to book but this came to light.......

Well, after much thinking, i had finally decided where we were going to go for New years week.
Montgenevre.
I had chosen a nice apartment, Le Hameau des Airelles, with Crystal and all looked well until i read few comments on trip advisor. People were saying that if you arrived before the check in time of 4pm you were required to pay 26 Euros to gain access to your room even if it was ready.
They seem quite happy for you to sit in reception with your bags until 4pm if you chose to to pay this fee.
I find this quite difficult to swallow so i wrote on Crystal Ski's Facebook for clarification....


Me

Hi Guys,

I am just about to book for Le Hameau des Airelles, Montgenevre for next season but am a little concerned about some of the reports i am reading.
Previous guests have stated that they had to pay a 26 Euro charge to get into their rooms before 4pm. Is this correct?
If you are flying/driving us into resort earlier than this i do not want to be left hanging around.
thanks


Crystal Ski

Hi Jon, I completely understand your concern. We've asked the team out in resort to look into your specific query and will come back to you as soon as we can.


Crystal Ski

Hi Jon, yes it is true that the operator of the apartments does charge a fee of 26 euros for early check-in, however it would depend on what time the you arrive as to exactly what happens. The reception is closed between 12pm and 3pm and any early check in can only be organised through reception. If you arrive after 12pm and before 3pm there is the option of using baggage storage which is available when you arrive.

Our brochure does state that check-in is not guaranteed until 5pm but we have made arrangements for the dropping off of baggage with this specific hotel given the period when the reception is closed.

After reception is open again after 3pm there might be the possibility of being able to check-in before 5pm but this will depend on whether your specific room has been cleaned and is ready for you. I would suggest this is seen as a bonus (if it were to happen) rather than an expectation.

I hope that goes some way to allay any concerns you may have but do please feel free to ask any further questions should you have any. Thanks.


Me

Thanks for the quick response but I have to say that I find that quite appalling. Closing a reception between 12-3 on transfer day is simply shocking and requesting an additional fee for check in before 4pm is scandalous. I have never heard of such a policy before and I shall not be booking on the strength of this.
I would suggest that it is in your interest to find other apartments for your clients as these are getting a really bad name.



What do you think to this????

Well done Snapzz.

The power of research, and someone who can ask the right questions after seeing something a bit puzzling.

I expect crystal just rely on travellers not reading the small print or assuming that it is one of those bits just to cover themselve.

I am really quite amazed that a reception shuts on transfer day at all. And, while I can understand the need to not guarantee occupancy - sods law the first arrival will be after someone left half an hour late with their apartment in a state and several things broken - I would have thought that getting punters in as quickley as possible would have been to everyones benefit.

On our journey to Serre Chevalier with Crystal we dropped some people of at these apartments and the rep left the bus here with them. Wonder if he knew there would be issues as we arrived there about 1.00pm?

BTW they have deleted my posts on their Facebook page.

:(

What, the entire question? That's a bit out of order.

Far Queue wrote: :(

What, the entire question? That's a bit out of order.

YEP, i guess they have something to hid or be ashamed of.

Snapzzz, I just looked and I can see the entire question and answer sequence still on their page.

Are you sure you don't just have facebook to only display certain things on their page? You need to ensure the display posts from everyone option near the top is selected or you tend to only see the posts started by Crystal or the most recent posts.

I just liked your final comment to demonstrate.

But they can't get the tripadvisor comments removed.

but after reading FQ's response maybe they aren't trying to hide this info.
After all - many people won't see any problem with this type of reception and room occupancy detail.

Far Queue wrote:Snapzzz, I just looked and I can see the entire question and answer sequence still on their page.

Are you sure you don't just have facebook to only display certain things on their page? You need to ensure the display posts from everyone option near the top is selected or you tend to only see the posts started by Crystal or the most recent posts.

I just liked your final comment to demonstrate.

Arrrrrrrrr.....ooops....sorry guys, my mistake.....wrong settings on the Facebook page......its still there.