Booking a campsite or pot luck

I was reading about a restaurant in Kilkee that held a large table for a group that didn’t turn and in the meantime he had turned away many other potential customers whilst holding a prime table for a no show. I was talking about this with my wife and she was telling me about the hairdresser she uses who has this happen on a regular basis, which is hard for small businesses.

In our first years we learnt that holding a space without pre payment is great for the potential customer but not good for us if they don’t arrive. We have switched now to full payment in advance if a person wants to secure their pitch, now this favours the campsite owner, I accept but at least the customer won’t waste a journey only to be told there is no space.

Now for me when I’m traveling in my MH I rarely book ahead, perhaps one or two sites that I know will be full without a pre booking but that is the good thing about my unit, 2 people 1 dog and a van that will easily last 3 days without any service needed and whilst I have destination in mind I always have a plan b and c.

We have been at capacity for pretty much all July and this weekend and I have been amazed by the number of campers mainly tents and MHs who have turned up without a booking and have expected to be squeezed in and when we don’t do that it is our fault and we are expected to find them alternative options. For MHs that is easier than tents especially if they are prepared to wild camp but even then some will not wild camp and then don’t want to stay on the new aire in Miltown or use the Marina MH parking at Kilrush.

What’s the point of this post?
Well if you don’t like to plan ahead at least make sure your motorhome is full of water and an empty cassette. Have the motorhome ireland app as this will show you your options in a location. Failing this the most likely time to get a pitch on a site will be just after the campsite’s departure time often around noon.

Still don’t want to book and prepay ring/contact the site and ask if they have space or are likely to have space.

Have a great summer campers.

unlikely to get a refund

I have not booked anywhere yet because generally I go in van when I get the chance and the few places I have rang have been booked up. So far when out I have been parking up somewhere (it is always just the odd overnight). Though I thought that when you booked somewhere you paid in advance anyway. I don't mind paying up front, just a terribly disorganised type so like to ring the campsite when I am 100% sure I am definitely going have a lovely day

Wrong topic.

This post was not about the craic meet. My price for the meet will remain in place for craicers until the campsite is full. But I don’t hold spaces without full payment so by all means don’t book until you are certain you can make it. And maybe there will be space on the day and I’ll stick to the craic meet price for members of MHCC

11 people who had pre booked AND PAID did not turn up tonight, 1 (a group of 4) sent a message this time last night, one called this afternoon, ( a group of 3) and 4 didn’t turn up at all. We text/email all that are not here by their stated arrival time asking If their timings have changed. So I’m good for the income but in the meantime I’ve said no to plenty of others who wanted to stay and had they stayed might have extended their stay or perhaps come back again.

No winners, only losers

You can’t be more fair than that Jamie, hopefully I will be able to make a call on it soon and get back to you

I have no problem with advance payments.
Slightly off topic, but related.
On our current European trip, we booked 2 different sites for 4 night stays and since we have kids, we opted for the resort type sites, waterparks, slides, etc.
In both cases we were required to pay a deposit by Electronic Transfer, followed by final payment one month before arrival.
One site, on German/ Luxembourg border, our bank wouldn't handle the payment. A couple of emails, no result.
Finally a phone call was picked up on their end.
The Iban number was wrong.
However they rejected an offer for credit card payment.
They have been caught by a no show, who subsequently reclaimed their fees back from the credit card company.

as a goodwill gesture

I don’t like to book onto any site I haven’t stayed on before for more than one night in case I don’t like it.


Same here

I find it frustrating that many sites won't take bookings.

I don't like the thought of spending many hours travelling somewhere only to find there is no space.
Yes, it's not the end of the world as I do have the excellent parking app, but i do like staying on a site.
I'd gladly pay in advance.

I’ve only ever stayed in a campsite once in the 3 years I have had my motorhome and that is with 2 young kids. I have used it for festivals or “meets” but have “wild” camped a fair bit too and have never had an issue. Convincing the wife took longer than convincing the kids.

Some French sites use tour operators or booking agency to sell pitches on their behalf.
The admin fee is the booking agents fee.

Were any of them heading you're way especially. Or just passing trade ?
The reason I ask is reading you excellent website, I would be more inclined to try get to you ,then get in touch, maybe something added after Book Now ,
Thankfully we have a very regular clientele so don't be disappointed please get in touch so we can advise you. etc ( don't be shy about blowing you're own trumpet.)
Regards
Martin.