Forward booking sites a year ahead
after 4 years of trying to book Rowntree York I was delighted to get a full week in July this year 2018. when I tried to book for next year with the new procedure I was amazed to find that it was impossible to get a full week in July June or may ie every sat & sun fully booked. surely the powers to be would have taken this into consideration when they introduced the new booking system. ie allocate a limited number of pitches to weekenders or make minimum booking 3 nights only over weekend. I thought it was bad enough booking this site under old system in December boy was I wrong!!!! anyone thinking like me out there ????
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Comments
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It just proves you have to be quick off the mark in booking certain sites, Teidi.
There have been several threads discussing this on the forum. You might find them interesting.
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Just been on the booking website and every day in July and August 2019 is free, albeit on a non awning pitch. We generally find that these are the better pitches anyway. There also are some awning pitches, including weekends, in August 2019 free, so you just need to keep looking.
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+1
I actually got quite a few sites on mini booking day (4th was it) including RP and other honey pot which I've never got before, but just like in the old system you have to be quick.
We all pay the same membership fee so why should the club do as you suggest and favour 'weekenders' and it must be said you, over others? I do recall some complaints the other way round - that 'weekenders' are stopping longer stayers?
The problem is that lots of people want to stay on club sites and there are not enough pitches. But as other posters have said there are other (and according to them better and cheaper) sites out there?
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My advice to anyone in the same position as the OP is to book those dates that are available for the week they want and then keep going back to check availability. In the course of even a few months there will be cancellations and they will soon be able to get all the time they want.What I am suggesting is perfectly within the booking rules providing any bookings are cancelled within the 72 hour rule. Sometimes you have to work for what you want
David
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Sorry David not the way I would do it, I could not be bothered to keep looking and like CS advises I would just go elsewhere. I have just had the weekend on a large commercial site, not at all like a Club site but so much livelier. Nice to see so many younger campers about enjoying the sunshine.
peedee
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I suppose it depends how keen or what need you have to be on a particular campsite. If, as a member, you feel it essential to camp at Rowntree Park then my solution might work for you. We seem to be using an increasing number of commercial sites ourselves as we seek out new locations and often don't book more than a week or two before arrival. However Club sites have a lot of advantages not least you don't have to pay a booking deposit and you only pay when you arrive. Unlike the last to commercial sites I used who wanted full payment on booking!!!
David
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I can never understand all this angst about being able or unable to book club sites, even the so called "honeypots". We tend to only use club sites at less busy times (and always appreciate them when we do!
) so maybe we're not subject to the same frustration as others, but if a site in an area we intend to visit is not available for the dates we want we'll just look for a nearby alternative, usually a CL or C&CC site.1 -
Yes most commercial sites at least demand a deposit. I had to pay up front for my two night stay but that does not really bother me. I would be very unlucky if I was preventing from attending and I do have an annual holiday insurance policy to fall back upon for losses in excess of £50. I know its a contentious subject about the costs but the site was comparable to Hillhead and Seacroft and was £5 a night cheaper. I say comparable in that it had two swimming pools, one heated and a bar/restaurant. In other respects it was swings and roundabouts. Very good for families but would be hated by the adult only fanatics. Huge pitches, grass only on well draining land in a conservation area. I could even park which way I liked on the pitch and still maintain the 6 meter rule!
peedee
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I must admit the honeypot sites don't interest us at all nowadays, we've been to Baltic Wharf once, tick, been to Chatsworth once, tick, been to York many times but not Rowntree as it doesn't appeal.
This year we joined other club to see what their sites are like, so far we have been happy with what we have seen. Pitches H/S appear to be narrower but that is because you park the car on the grass (on some sites) the big difference we noticed straight away is that their sites are more open in appearance which we like. Hate the sites that are all big trees, fine in a hot summer like this but not at any other time of year really depressing. Much more diversity on their sites too with them taking lots of tents, a whole different atmosphere.
I like the booking process on this site, really easy to do and to change things if required, paying a deposit doesn't bother me with the other club as I don't have to book so far in advance so now that I will not be changing anything. I would not be happy about having to pay in full if booking months ahead, if fact I refused to do so with one of the AS sites and chose to go elsewhere instead.
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so it's swings and roundabout, not every system fits all? you choose the location, site, club booking system... that suits you best either at the time or for longer. A lot of people post on how the club should change to be like others but then you wouldn't have the choice that you do now?
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