The Salvation Army
- How can I make a booking through the site?
- Download our 'how to' guide here or watch the video below if you need a little extra help.
- Why are the rooms so expensive?
- London is a popular year-round tourist destination, and Boundless is taking place at a busy time of year. Our event coincides with the world-famous Wimbledon tennis championships and several other major conferences. Hotel rooms are in high demand, and providers inevitably push prices up.
- However, the Boundless congress team has been working hard with industry professionals HelmsBriscoe to ensure that 16,000 hotel rooms are set aside for Salvation Army congress delegates for the duration of Boundless. The negotiated rates are flexible (ie no cancellation charges), and the rooms all include en-suite facilities, breakfast each morning and all applicable taxes. The price is fixed - there will be no unexpected increases between now and the event. Another benefit is, for many hotels, that delegates will not be charged until July 2015, giving security and peace of mind - check your chosen hotel’s details for specific information.
- Will I find the same room cheaper elsewhere?
- Possibly. Some hotels may offer very limited numbers of headline-grabbing special rates, run short promotional campaigns or offer discounts to customers on particular loyalty schemes (eg Avios). However, because of the demand for rooms, cheaper rates are not likely to be widely available. We would advise delegates to ensure that they are comparing like with like when checking hotel charges.
- Why is the range of hotels so limited?
- As mentioned, Boundless is taking place at an exceptionally busy time. Our industry partner, HelmsBriscoe, has been working hard to secure rooms for delegates. At present, 60 hotels across London have allocated rooms for Boundless delegates, and this figure may increase as negotiations continue. However, we have specified that hotels offered through our booking portal should be of a standard that our delegates will find comfortable and convenient. All are located within easy travelling distance of The O2 (and five-day delegates can add a London Travelcard to their congress booking). En-suite facilities and breakfast are also available with each room.
- The hotels being offered seem a long way away from the Boundless venue - is that right?
- All of the hotels are situated in the city, though some are further away from The O2 than others. Remember that five-day Boundless delegates can choose to include a London Travelcard in their booking, which covers unlimited bus, train and Underground (subway) transport. This means that you do not need to factor in travel costs from your hotel to The O2 each day. Staying in one of the hotels we’ve negotiated with means that there are sure to be other Salvationists making the journey at the same time - so why not consider it as part of the experience? Sing, pray or discuss the Bible teaching with each other as you move around the city - bless others as you travel around London!
- Do I really need to book accommodation now?
- Yes, you really do. While our partners have done an exceptional job in securing sufficient accommodation for all our delegates, the hotels will not be able to guarantee availability forever. The accommodation that has been reserved for Salvation Army delegates will be available for booking until March 2015, at which point the rooms will be released to the general public. When this happens, the demand is such that they will be booked by others very quickly. Remember that the dates of Boundless coincide with major sporting events and other conferences, as well as being a popular time of year for visiting London. We urge delegates to book their accommodation at the earliest opportunity. In most instances, the bookings are secured by credit card though the money will not be debited until delegates check in to their hotel in July 2015 - check your chosen hotel’s details for specific payment information. This, we hope, will enable delegates to budget accordingly.
- What are the benefits of using the Boundless hotel booking service?
- We have tried to make things as easy as possible for delegates who may not have visited London before. Delegates can book in confidence, with the knowledge that their rooms will be guaranteed until the event and payment will not be taken until 2015, helping them to budget for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. All the hotels are conveniently located, and because many other Salvationists and friends will be staying in the same accommodation, there will be opportunities for fellowship and camaraderie over breakfast and before/after the formal meetings. This will also help some of our delegates from grant-aided territories to travel from the hotel to the venue together for peace of mind. It’s very much One Army in action!
- Why do I need to give my credit card details? When will payment be taken?
- In line with common hotel practice, credit card details are taken to secure the booking. Payment will not be taken until, in the majority of cases, delegates check in at their hotel next July. (NB: Hotels in the Accor chain may process the transaction 90 days before arrival)
- I don't have a credit card? How can I book accommodation?
- If you are coming as part of a larger group, please speak to the Boundless Congress Liaison Officer at your territorial headquarters, as they may be organising a group booking.
- I have mobility difficulties - can I make special arrangements for my accommodation online?
- To discuss your particular requirements, please email an advisor at [email protected], who will be happy to assist you.
- Can I arrange to stay in the same hotel as friends from my corps?
- Of course, subject to room availability. You can either make your booking through the site as a single transaction, or email [email protected] for advice on how to coordinate bookings if one party has already made a reservation.
- I’m looking for a room for my family - where can I go?
- Only some of the hotels can accommodate family groups. We are looking to add apartments for families and larger groups in due course. Alternatively, if you would like to be added to a wait list for hotel accommodation that becomes available later, please contact [email protected] outlining your requirements.
- I need to book for a large group - can I do it online?
- To make a group booking of 10 rooms or more, please download the Group Request Form and contact Ann at HelmsBriscoe ([email protected]) who will be able to assist you with finding the right accommodation for your party.
- I’m having problems getting the Boundless accommodation booking system to work - can you help?
- Firstly, check that you are using an up-to-date web browser - and upgrade it if you are not. The browsers currently supported include:
- Google Chrome
- Safari 4
- Safari 5
- Internet Explorer 8
- Internet Explorer 9
- Internet Explorer 10
- Mozilla Firefox
- If you continue to experience any problems using the site or have any accommodation queries, please email an advisor at [email protected], who will be more than happy to assist you
- I’d like to extend my stay - can I book rooms for a few days before and / or after the Congress?
- Yes you can. We’ve negotiated for hundreds of rooms to be available for delegates either side of the Boundless congress, and more will be added in due course. If you try to book a room for a night on which no accommodation has currently been set aside, the HelmsBricoe team will endeavour to make the necessary arrangements for you. These bookings will be marked with an exclamation mark (!) symbol.
- Can I make my own accommodation arrangements?
- Certainly. There is no obligation to use the Boundless hotel booking service. If you have friends you plan to stay with in London, or would prefer to make your own plans, enjoy your stay! We would advise that all delegates take care when booking third-party accommodation. There have been instances of ‘phantom hotels’ fraudulently taking money for bookings in accommodation that doesn’t exist. This is, of course, not a problem with the accredited hotels on the Boundless hotel booking site.
- I’d prefer to stay somewhere cheaper - can you recommend anything?
- Unfortunately, the Boundless congress team is unable to offer specific recommendations or help with bookings that are not made through our website. However, you may wish to investigate the availability of youth hostel or university accommodation, or consider camping/caravanning.
Ephesians 3:8 - Preach to the nations the BOUNDLESS riches of Christ
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