I was just wondering when's the best time to make a request for a special room in a hotel? Say your booking is 6 months out, but you've made it and got confirmation, when should you be asking for that room with the great view you've heard about?

1. Immediately upon reserving, or straight after confirmation if there's no 'special requests' box

2. 2-3 months before

3. A week or so before.

My thinking is that requesting it too early may mean your request gets lost in any subsequent shuffling around of rooms, but requesting it too late may mean that someone else has already requested that room for your stay.

Any thoughts?

1. The earlier you request a preference, the sooner it's in your record.

2. It's only a request, and only a preference. Unless you have major status with the hotel or hotel chain, that's all it is, and it may not necessarily be honored.

If you have a special request, go ahead and make it when you book. If you're concerned that something will get changed later, just call again a couple of weeks before the stay.

If the booking page has a "special request" box, you may still want to call as not all hotels pay attention to the box.

I would phone the hotel directly and ask about reserving the special room.

buy a poster of the view + scotch tape & get a cheaper room!....good luck...

Request it when you book, but make sure to request it with the hotel directly as they assign the rooms. I would call and request it again a few days before and the morning of when they are assigning rooms.

It's all international calls which I'd like to avoid. Is it possible to find out *when* hotels assign rooms?

Add me to the list to those who would call ahead..

I imagine it varies by hotel. If you're looking to get a certain category/type of room, the normal booking process should be able to accommodate that. If you're seeking a specific room, you'll have to call. Using a phone card or Skype should keep the call cost down.

Because many hotels may have guests who decide to stay for additonal days after checking-in (as well as having no-shows) your room assignment may not be made until the morning you check-in, or possibly when you are actually completing the check-in process.

Is a chance of getting this room worth $10 to you? Can it possibly cost more than that to make the call to get a request put in? If you still don't want to make the call, try googling the actual hotel (search for the GM's name if possible) and send an email. If you send an email to "customerservice@ followed by whatever hotel you're staying you will be less likely to get what you want. If you're staying at something like a Four Seasons, Ritz, Manderin etc perhaps you could try calling a more local location as "service" is supposed to be high on their lists and they may be willing/able to assist you.

I suggest calling if you really want the room. Often, the special requests in the reservation aren't viewed until the day of arrival, if at all.

Make sure that the "special room" is in the category of room you reserved - for example if you reserve the cheapest room on Expedia but want the hotel's best view don't be surprised if the request isn't honored. Then, email the hotel and ask for the email address of the reservation manager, or even better of the Director of Sales or the Front Office Manager. If you email the request to a specific individual and if it is reasonable, you have a better chance that the request will be acted on.

I agree..

the special room designation needs to be reasonable, and within the context of your stay.. silly requests are often ignored..

Cheers folks. I'll see if I can get the email of the general or reservations manager, and if not, will make that call.