How far ahead to book a special hotel
Which dates disappear first, why small hotels fill sooner, and how to keep your plans flexible.
Size changes everything
A city hotel with a few hundred rooms can usually find space at short notice. A clifftop hotel with a few dozen rooms, a safari lodge with a handful of suites or a historic parador cannot. For small properties on popular dates, booking six months to a year ahead is sensible.
Spanish dates to watch
- Holy Week, across the country and especially in Andalusia
- The April Fair in Seville, usually two weeks after Easter
- San Fermín in Pamplona in early July
- August on every coast, when much of Spain is on holiday
- The San Sebastián film festival in September
International peaks
- Christmas and New Year in mountain resorts and cities
- Cherry blossom and autumn color in Japan
- Peak safari months, particularly July and August
- Late spring and summer on the Greek islands and the Amalfi Coast
Check the season
Many coastal and island hotels close in winter, and some open only from spring to autumn. Confirm opening and closing dates before planning a trip around a single property.
Book with flexibility
Compare cancellation and deposit rules alongside the price. A flexible rate can cost a little more but protects you on long-haul trips. When it is available, booking direct often makes changes simpler. Shoulder seasons, such as May, June, September and October in southern Europe, usually balance weather, availability and cost.