How many nights?
The ideal and more stress-free weekend package is that for 2 nights – either Friday + Saturday or Saturday + Sunday.
Alternatively, you could really make it a special occasion and book the 3 night “ Long Weekend” package that offers
excellent value for money.
For some only one night is possible so the Saturday “Mini-break” is their only possibility.
Factors to consider
1. Why our supply of 1 night rooms is limited – and their cost higher.
Within our contracts, each hotel makes available to WRP both a total number of rooms that we can have - as well as the maximum number of rooms that are available for the Saturday night only.
If hotels seem to show less interest in a one night (Saturday) booking – or charge a higher rate then the reason is simple; the chances of that hotel then finding other bookings to fill your room on either/ both Friday and Sunday nights are very slim and so they stand to lose significant revenue.
With demand for 2 and 3 night rooms in central London so high at present, for a hotel to find itself with empty rooms at the weekend does not make economic sense. It’s the old law of “supply and demand” and has nothing to do with WRP.
That said, we do appreciate that for some guests work, cost or some other factor will enforce the bare minimum stay of 1 night – Saturday. That is perfectly understandable and acceptable but would-be guests should be aware that our stock of 1 night rooms for 2010 is less than that last year. As a consequence anyone wanting just 1 night might well consider booking earlier rather than later for both in 2008 and 2009 all our allocations of 1 night rooms were sold well before race weekend.
2. There are a number of distinct advantages to staying more than 1 night.
Multiple nights work out cheaper
To encourage multiple (2 or 3) night sales, all hotels offer to WRP proportionately a better rate on 2 night bookings …..and an even better rate on 3 night bookings! The hotels want you to stay and make sure that economically this works in your favour.
In some instances the difference between a 2 and a 3 night stay, in a 4* hotel including full breakfast could be as little as little as £34 per person.
Are there advantages in staying for an extra night – or two?
Our experience over the last 20 years suggests that our guests opt for the extended weekend for one or more of the following reasons:
More rested
Many marathon coaches rate a good nights sleep two nights before the race as a key
part of a runners preparation for the marathon. Travelling on Saturday will inevitably mean a very early
start and your sleeping on Saturday night will often be poor anyway due to nerves, different
environment, etc.
Including a Friday night in your package will invariably make you more rested before the race.
Less Stress
Wanting to make the experience as stress-free as possible. No worries about “will the
train or flight be delayed” or “what if we get stuck in a traffic jam on the motorway.”
- Travelling on Friday ensures that the whole weekend is as relaxed and enjoyable as possible
- In 2008 one couple broke down on the M6 near Birmingham; both failed to get to race registration in time
Relaxed registration
Register on Friday when it is quiet - rather than on Saturday when 20,000
register and its very crowded. It’s far more pleasant more pleasant and gives you time and space to see view the marathon exhibition in comfort and give you a chance to meet your charity team at their
stand.
Complimentary activities
You have time to enjoy the various complimentary activities offered by WRP on both the Friday afternoon ( e.g. their tour of the Start and then escort to marathon
registration) and the Saturday morning tour of the finish and advice on spectating and/or the Saturday
afternoon Race Clinics. You also have to time to sit and talk and pick the brains of our highly
experienced marathon staff in your hotel.
Time for some sightseeing
On the Friday and/or Saturday. There’s not shortage of options in
London – especially if you have the family with you. An opportunity to go a show or a play that you have always wanted to see. Often you can also find
some good concerts on the Friday evening. (There was an excellent and free one in Trafalgar Square
last year.)
Anticipating serious fatigue after the race?
The idea of staying on Sunday night may have much merit. As the number of first-time runners has increased so too has the number who stay on Sunday night!
Firstly, it avoids an arduous return journey when you are most fatigued. Secondly, it can be a time for celebration and we encourage all to wear their medals around the hotel. There will be a special one course buffet (with a glass of wine) in the hotel restaurant… an ideal opportunity to meet and share your experiences with the other runners in your hotel.
Whichever extra night/s you choose:
- each extra night includes full English buffet breakfast
- WRP has negotiated with Novotel a 10% * discount on all lunches and/or dinners, eaten in any of the 6 hotel restaurants and bars being used by WRP in 2010. This offer includes drink taken with the meal. WRP will issue special WRP Marathon Vouchers along with your tickets.
* 15% at Novotel London West.
How many nights can I book?
All of the hotels listed will be delighted to accept 1, 2 and 3 night bookings during the Friday to Sunday night “marathon weekend window”.
Should you want to book for nights outside this period you should call the WRP office to check on availability and rates as in some hotels the demand for rooms for corporate business on a Monday to Thursday night can affect the rate for the Thursday or Monday night.
All bookings for 5 or more nights are usually placed in our main tour hotel, Novotel London West.
Arriving/ departure by air
We are well aware that some long-haul overnight flights arrive at unsociably early times and that normal check-in is not until 14.00 hrs. Likewise you may have a late departure time. If this affects you then please advise WRP at the time of your booking and we will speak with the hotel and try to make special arrangements for you.
Our hotels are invariably most receptive and helpful with such requests.
Any other queries about rooms
We appreciate that there are so many variables that we might not have covered an issue that is of concern to you or your family. The staff with whom we work at the Novotel hotels are immensely helpful so contact us by e-mail (info@wrptours.co.uk ) or telephone (01934-629911) and we will discuss options and endeavour to resolve your concerns.
Resident WRP staff
Please note that there are never less than two members of the WRP staff team resident in each hotel from Friday through until Monday morning with the sole purpose of ensuring that your weekend is as stress-free as possible… just how we would like it for ourselves!