Saved by the Bell

While happily preparing for my vacation in the British capital I received the disconcerting notification that my hotel would be unable to honor my reservations. My deposit was returned and, less than three weeks from my departure I found myself without accommodations during what promises to be one of the most popular tourist seasons in recent memory.

I telephoned several well-known hotels that had been recommended by friends. My worst fears were confirmed. Time and again I heard the phrase, “I am sorry. The hotel is fully booked.”

Fortunately, I had access to the London Yellow Pages. I found a listing for the British Hotel Reservation Centre. Upon telephoning, a cheerful woman made note of my requirements including length of stay, location and desired price range. She asked me to ring back in one-half hour. Upon doing so I was informed that the reservations had been made. I was given the name and address of the hotel and advised to contact them directly to confirm. I did so, and subsequent inquiries revealed the hotel to be a lovely Regency structure in a tree-shaded section of Kensington.

If any of your readers find themselves in such a predicament, they should call the center at 011-441-828-2425 (international direct dialing). The cost of each of my direct-dial calls to London was about $5.

JOHN ZANIER

Los Angeles