 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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rayscoops, [drunken statement please ignore]In that situation I would have thought the wise single would purchase two adults sharing tickets.[/drunken statement please ignore]
I haven't read the last 4 pages, but it's a double edged sword isn't it? You can understand the 'single' feeling put out when asked to pay extra, but you can see it from the holiday company's perspective when they have to leave empty a bed that they could get a normal sharing rate for. I guess when you look at it that way the single should be asked to pay the going rate less costs for one person for laundry, meals, freebie toiletries and basically anything that won't get used. That said it's still a lot for single to pay. Perhaps there should be more web-sites out there putting singles that don't mind sharing with A.N. Other together. I guess if a single is not prepared to do so then they are obliged to pay a premiusm rate for single occupancy of a dual occupancy room. Are there any hotels that specialise in single bedded rooms?
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 15-05-11 16:53; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Megamum wrote: |
| rayscoops, In that situation I would have thought the wise single would purchase two adults sharing tickets. |
the chalet had two single rooms listed in its details hence the single room price, but I do not undertsand your logic for a single to book two places at a total of £1200 in lieu of a single booking of £509 ?
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| queen bodecia wrote: |
If I ever come into some unexpected money maybe I should buy a hotel in a ski resort and convert it to all single rooms and see if it works!  |
Go ahead and do that! You will learn, the hard way, what everybody is saying which you seem unable to comprehen.
| Quote: |
| there is a high demand for single rooms. I just think accommodation providers could address this. Yes single rooms take up more than half the floor space and facilities of a double room, but they are far more likely to be occupied every week of the season, so might financially make sense |
I've often asked and got a twin room for single use at no extra cost. And there're also times when I didn't even ask, but simply booked a single room and found myself nicely upgraded to a twin!
The average hoteliers are a lot smarter than you. They furnish almost all rooms to twin except the odd one that are too small to fit a twin in. When single rooms are all booked up but there're vacancies in the double, they gladly put solo travellers into double rooms as no cost upgrade. Of course that won't happen during peak time when all the double rooms are also booked up.
The simple fact is you can put a single guest into a double room but you can't put two people into a single room. So what happens when your nice hotel is totally empty solo travellers and a pair of honeymooner come looking for a double? Put them in two seperate single rooms???
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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rayscoops, Yes, of course you are correct  Too, much brandy in the tirimasu for lunch forget I put that.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Megamum, good on you girl
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| Quote: |
I didn't ask everyone to give me a hard time
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To be fair, I think some people have just become a bit exasperated with your determination to feel hard done by and to invent difficulties (e.g. about driving from Grenoble to Serre Chevalier). The language of "cosy" coupledom is just annoying (and it's creditable that nobody has retaliated with anything nasty about single people). But neither have they swallowed your contention that life is terribly unfair on singles and that seems to be getting up your nose. It's fine for you to refuse to share, or to rent out part of your house, or to insist on using a TO or on going to France in the peak season. What's irritating is your feeling hard done by because you have to live with the consequences of your decisions. There might well be some extortionate "single supplements" but then nobody in their right mind will pay them. But having to pay the same room rate just for one as you would for two doesn't really (as people who know about hotels have demonstrated clearly) seem unfair in the slightest.
Tour operators live in a world of pretty cut throat competition; do you really believe there is some kind of cartel keeping prices high for the single traveller?
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| Quote: |
The language of "cosy" coupledom is just annoying (and it's creditable that nobody has retaliated with anything nasty about single people).
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pam w, that's because half of the people who disagree with her are actually single people!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Bored of this thread now. Found some holidays to choose from. Sorted. Thanks for all the constructive advice.
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Five pages and solace.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| rayscoops wrote: |
| alex_heney, you usually travel as a single (IIRC) and not as part of a group though, and I am sure that if you had an element of shared transfer costs etc as part of a group (like QB) that you would be able to arrange an economical DIY trip because you are quite flexible with your arrangements |
Yes, you are probably right there, although for her then the fact they want to travel on different flights makes it a little more awkward.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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queen bodecia, so how much was your solo supplement ? was it crazy ?
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rayscoops, £56. Perfect!
For the alternative that is. £392 for Serre Che was just too much.
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You know it makes sense.
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queen bodecia, happy ending then what resort ?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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rayscoops, probably Cervinia. But just waiting for the rest of the group to agree.
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Poster: A snowHead
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queen bodecia, if you intend to try Serre Che again in the future, please bear in mind that the week you take your holiday will always be in French school holidays. You might find a UK chalet operator has lower single supplements at that time.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hells Bells, if the Grand Hotel reopens next season after refurbishment, it might well be a consideration. As for weeks, we actually wanted w/c 11th March to avoid school holidays, but unfortunately the range of charter flights is much reduced from then.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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pam w, In a nutshell and well said. That's a +1 from me (single, habitual solo occupancy payer, live alone etc etc)
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queen bodecia and some others,
You're pointing to the supposed increasing proportion of the population that has chosen to be single..Are there any figures for this? I know divorce rates are higher than ever but that doesn't mean all those affected then go on to a vow a celibacy..
And I am afraid that being single certainly doesn't translate into "travelling" solo...
very few people travel solo.. If not with their partner, they'll travel with family or mates... Hence sole use bedrooms will remain niche, with the finacial penaly that incurs.
Which is exactly what is going on here. You're not a solo traveller: you're trying to go on a trip with a group of "buddies". You just made the choice that you're weren't prepared to share a room...
Compounded by travelling at peak time, not being prepared to travel to airports, not wanting a long transfer, wanting to use TOs etc..
So you're bringing this on yourself which is what gets people annoyed..
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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queen bodecia, surprised the regional flights are stopping so soon, it is usually nearer the end of March.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hells Bells, yes a complete pain, it's really restricted our choice of dates.
Kruisler, for most single people it's far from a matter of choice. It's just how life turns out. Divorce, relationship breakdown or simply not finding the right partner aren't planned occurrences. I have travelled with a friend before and happily shared a room. I've also travelled alone and been happy to pay for my single room. However, sharing is not an option with the group of friends I ski with. The choice of dates has been restricted by lack of available flights, and regional airport departures are a must for some of my ski buddies. So what I'm saying is a lot of this is out of my hands. I'm sure most of the people on here sympathise with the intricacies of finding a ski holiday that suits all members of a group. Luckily we have found more than one and we're currently making a final decision.
I wasn't moaning, nor trying to provoke people to get annoyed with me, I was simply pointing out how harsh some sole use supplements can be. Enough already.
Incidentally if I can afford it, I quite fancy a solo short break to Austria in January. A pre-ski holiday warm-up if you like. I think I might have to DIY for this as it seems a tall order from TOs. If (and it's a big if) I can find suitable flights and transfers, it might well be game on. I'm not totally opposed to the idea, but the lack of 'protection' is a concern.
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Queen Bodecia - What do you mean by a lack of "protection"?
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queen bodecia, there should be no need for lack of 'protection', a good holiday insurance policy would sort that out.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Queen Bodecia[b],
| Quote: |
| Incidentally if I can afford it, I quite fancy a solo short break to Austria in January. A pre-ski holiday warm-up if you like. I think I might have to DIY for this as it seems a tall order from TOs. If (and it's a big if) I can find suitable flights and transfers, it might well be game on. I'm not totally opposed to the idea, but the lack of 'protection' is a concern. |
If it looks like becoming a reality let me know - I can probably pick you up from any of the main airports and deliver you to your hotel no problem. Especially if you are flying in on a Wednesday evening and out on a Sunday!
As for protection - use a good annual travel insurance then you are covered as well, if not better, than by accepting whatever the TOs throw at you.
For Austria - fly to Salzburg, Munich or Innsbruck using one of the majors or their subsids. Avoid using Sleazy or Ryan just because they are in your face with marketing! Often the majors match the price, especially when it comes to luggage (Swiss for example doing free ski carriage) and also do not leave you up to your own devices should some bloody volcano explode somewhere! 
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snowymum, it's a single room discussion, so I'm assuming condoms in the event of getting lucky. I always take my own, I don't trust those weird foreigner johnnies.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I suppose what I'd be most concerned about is being stuck somewhere if any aspect of the journey goes wrong. But hey, it would be an adventure!
Samerberg Sue, that would be brilliant. I was just thinking last night that I'll need an Austria fix next season since it looks like the trip with my ski buddies will be to Italy. And I did very much enjoy having two ski trips this year! The tricky bit is flights, they're not cheap and not many about. But if I can afford the flights, the rest will be quite straightforward I expect. You were telling me about your favourite resort, so might be nice to give that a whirl!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Single is the new ginger
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As a single father with 2 children, I also find it difficult to find accommmodating rooms, hotels etc. without payng supplements and / or having to book 2 rooms.
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You know it makes sense.
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queen bodecia, I've only been to Austria a couple of times - but single rooms, with no supplements (through TOs) seem easier to get than many other countries.
My last visit to Austria was to Zell am See (the Lebzelter Hotel, I think) and several TO were offering supplement-free single rooms for this hotel. Might be worth a peek?
Nice hotel and a lovely resort.
Just a thought.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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stephen buck, as a frequently single traveller, I too "find it difficult to find accommmodating rooms, hotels etc. without payng supplements". Tough, innit? That's life. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Oops. Just realised you wanted a short break rather than a week. My bad.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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abj, I had to pay £45 supplement for the week at the Lebzelter - it was a teeny single room which only just had the width of a door plus the width of the single bed, even though the supplement was low it was a pretty rotten room.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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holidayloverxx ... doesn't sound great.
We seemed to have a better luck and the single member of our group was given a small twin. No supplement either.
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If you go DIY as a single booking and book early there is no problem finding good single rooms with no supplement.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Queen Bodecia Surely "Crazy short week prices - post your examples here" should be a new thread.
As you found last year when Christmas fell on change over day, there were some short week bargains to be had as TO rebalanced their dates to a Sat/Sat or Sun/Sun week. IMHO part weeks tend to be just as expensive as a whole week with hotels even less happy to give up a room for less than a week. Trying to bridge a weekend (fly out Thursday, return on Monday) tend to be especially tricky as they mess up two weeks for the hotel.
However, this obviously depends on where and when you go. There are lots of threads on here advising where to go for short breaks and, IIRC a couple of companies who actually specialise in that type of thing.
Good luck.
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holidayloverxx, I don't mind paying a single supplement (within reason), but if the room is quite obviously a single room to begin with then that's a urine extraction and words will be had.
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Tiger2, proving to be a lot more difficult that I thought. Obviously only preliminary investigations at the moment as it all depends if I can afford it. Looks like flights are only Saturday-Saturday unless I fly Ryanair from Stanstead and don't they charge people to sit down and breathe on their aircraft? This is where the DIY thing falls down for me, the flight options are very limiting. I think during low season (i.e. January) getting a hotel room in Austria for less than a week won't be too much of an issue. The Ryanair flights go out on a Tuesday and back on a Saturday so that shouldn't upset hoteliers too much. However, it's looking as though it would definitely cost more than a full week TO trip. 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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qb having done this quite a lot you really do need to pick flight routes that are popular such as London - Geneva or Munich.
My only other tip would be to take a TO last minute bargain and come home independently half way through the week on a scheduled flight. TOs hate you doing it but they can't stop you. The tricky bit is in order to do this you need to book your return flight early to get the lowest price so its a bit of a gamble as to where the TO cheap deals will be. You don't strike me as being the gambling kind so it might not work as a strategy for you but it has worked for me.
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Tiger2, BMI baby fly to Munich but only once a week and not in January. That's useful!
Flying from London is OK if Stanstead or Luton (not Gatwick) but obviously it does add over two hours to the travel time and £50 in fuel costs, so would have to be a much cheaper flight to compensate for this.
It's pure conjecture at the moment. I've got to save up for main ski holiday (and a new telly!) first before I start saving for anything else. I think like you say a TO late deal if I can find something single-friendly will be my best option.
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FAQ
