Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on May 14

Now, you don’t need to worry any more - you have found it. This web-page contains everything you need to know to help you create that perfect reservation letter - and for free.

You don’t need to trawl through hundreds of potential websites looking for those ideal reservation letter samples - getting frustrated by the number of confusing sites out there - as I have found direct links to the best available through the very same searches you were using.

Check out the links below for samples of reservation letters containing everything you want or need to cover in you reservation letter - some even have further advice about all aspects of creating that perfect hotel reservation letter, or any other reservation letter in fact.

To be honest there aren’t many that are easy to use - or are free for that matter, but never-the-less this should help you get there faster. I have also created my own basic sample reservation letter template at the bottom of this post if you want to save time searching which you can just cut and paste out of this post and edit on your PC or laptop.

The Websites:
Many of these websites contain free information and sample letter templates for you to browse through, others lead to sample letter templates if you join the site for a fee. I have brought these all together for you with a little bit of information on each one to narrow things down for you in your search:

The only 2 Free Reservation Letter Samples I could find:

Ask Oxford - fds.oup.com/www.askoxford.com/pdf/letters/reserve.pdf
This service is for the customer, and offers all sorts of sample reservation letter templates as well as plenty of English language advice. It also offers letters in French, German and Spanish if you need them! However, this site offers the templates in pdf format, so unless you have the software to convert these, you would have to copy the words yourself rather than just edit them.

My Expression - www.myexpression.com/ArticlesWriting/ReservationLetters.cfm
If you are the company offering the service then this web-page is very helpful in terms of information for your reservation confirmation letter, and has a reservation sample template at the bottom of the page that you can cut and paste onto your own preferred document for use. It also has samples and information about all sorts of other correspondence and reservations.

Alternatively - There were also several ‘Pay To Use Sites’ containing sample of reservation letters, or which I chose 3 options: single letters, yearly membership and full software package. As you cannot see these letter templates before joining you can not know their quality before payment, so please research this yourself before purchase.

US Legal - www.uslegalforms.com/us/US-0369LR.htm
This company offer a huge array of letter samples and formats for $7.95 each on line or $9.95 each posted out to you. The link above is directly to the hotel reservation sample letter, but click here to be taken to the A to Z list of all their sample letters - www.uslegalforms.com/letters/nonlegal-letters.htm. Obviously this is cheap if you only need that one letter, but not if you are going to require more letter writing templates in the future.

Letter Rep - www.letterrep.com/index.php
This company offer you over 1200+ general letter templates once you join their community (for your 1 year membership they charge $24.99). You can use any template as many times as you want - and if they don’t offer the letter you need - or you want one specifically created - their staff will write one for you. This is a great option if you are starting a new business as you will be able to use their services all through your vital first year, or more for a continued subscription.

Instant Business Letter Kit - www.instantbusinessletterkit.com
This website offers to send you an entire business letter writing kit in just 5 minutes following payment of $32.97. The whole package contains a comprehensive manual as well as letter templates and further advice on letter writing and business tips - great for a small company just starting out. This package is yours permanently to use for ever and ever with all types of letters and correspondence. Perfect for an office or personal companion.

Instant Home Writing Kit - www.instanthomewritingkit.com
This website is similar to the last one, but offers less actual templates, but offers more in the way of support and advice - and it is slightly cheaper at only $27.97. You can also sign up to the news letter to get free tips and letter writing ideas sent to your email throughout the year. This package is complete and yours for ever.

My Simple, but Free Offering:
Feel free to use the following as a sort of template - it’s always worked for me and it’s simple and straight to the point (just edit those details in italics):

To The Hotel You Reserved

RE: Room Reservation for Your Contact Name - First Night’s Date to Last Night’s Date

I am writing to confirm the details of the accommodation I have booked with you over the phone/in person/via email on the Date You Made The Booking.

The dates I had booked with you are as follows: (list them all individually up to 3 nights)

Day of reservation: Date of Reservation
Monday: 23/09/2008

Monday: 23rd of September
Tuesday: 24th of September

OR:

I have booked the following dates with you: 23th - 29th inclusive ( 7 nights)

I understand that the total cost of $100.00 is to be paid in advance/on arrival/on departure by credit card/check/cash (if applicable - as some hotels can be quite fussy about payment type).

I/We look forward to arriving at your hotel (estimate at time if applicable as some smaller hotels prefer to know this) on Your Arrival Day.

Thank you for your time, and if there are any issues regarding this booking, please contact me using the above details.

Kind regards,

(your signature)

Your informal name (for smaller, more personal accommodations)
Your formal name or Company Title (for company bookings and larger establishments)

I hope this has been of use in your search for a template or sample of a reservation letter, and I hope you enjoy your trip - wherever that may be.

.

posted by Travel Cat on Mar 28

Panama’s Pacific coast line is perfect for surfing, but the northern Caribbean coast also has some favoured spots - and is probably warmer water! Early travellers found these perfect locations and kept returning time after time, passing on the word to others for generations who you can find surfing off Chirique, Panama.

There are now a whole lot of people wanting to come to Panama to learn to surf, and due to the rise in demand for these Panamanian waves, a small industry has appeared to take care of hoards of feisty arrivals. As a result there are now many areas along the pacific coast and one well known Caribbean resort where you can lodge safely and cheaply and learn to surf or improve your existing skills!

They are called ’surf camps’ and are available all over the world, but there are a lot of people asking me about surfing camps in Panama. So, what I’ve done is selected 3 of these well known surf camps in Panama that offer a good deal, and have detailed them below for you.

Bocas Surf School - Bocas del Toro - Caribbean Coast
Price: $89/£45 for 1 day up to $369/£185 for 5 days tuition.

This surf camp offers daytime lessons only for both new surfers and experienced and can either be for 1,3 or 5 days. It includes some equipment and several boat rides around the area. It doesn’t include accommodation or food, but the area is well developed with many local hotels to choose from (around $6/£3 to $60/£30 pppn) and nearly all residents speak English here, you’ll find them trying to sell you equipment from surf board racks and accessories as well.  You can even take your non-surfing friend along with you!

Panama Surf Camp - Morro Negrito - Pacific Coast
Price: $650/£325 per person per week inclusive.

This surf camp is based on 2 islands off the coast of the Chiquiri province.  It offers full week long surfing packages for all abilities, and includes pick up from the airport, all accommodation and 3 meals a day as part of the package. They also offer a whole host of other activities from horseback riding to spear fishing payable as extras. 

Punta Brava Lodge - Santa Catalina - Pacific Coast
Price: from $625/£312 based on 3 or more sharing to $1150/£575 for singles

This lodge offers excellent surfing tuition on one of Panama’s best beaches. The price includes airport transfers, 3 meals a day and accommodation for 7 nights, as well as offering fishing and diving around the area off of their boats.  Their website shows some great photos of the accommodation - it looks amazing!

I haven’t tried any of these myself, but if you do - or you have already - let me know about your favourite and let other readers know of any different surf camps in Panama, or elsewhere that you would recommend.

Finally, with the budget for staying in Panama is only around $20-$30/£10-£15 per day, so why not stay after surf camp and enjoy everything else Panama has to offer - you don’t need a visa if travelling from the US, Canada or the UK, you just need your passport and your sense of adventure…..