GerMittens 2013 - No Bandwidth Edition (aftermath)

[abstauber]

Alright - request for the second villa is out.

@cat Done

[AGA]

Bear in mind we're shopping for 18 people here, while in reality it may turn out half the people drop out (which is what usually happens!).  If people could check they're able to attend on all the suggested dates, we can get firmer numbers, making it easier to find a suitable place.

[abstauber]

As long as we don't drop below 10 people I think we'll be fine with both of them. At Villa Katharina we can also cancel the carriage house if there aren't enough attendees. The pool villa on the other hand is much cheaper and also affordable with 12-14 people.

Since Berlin (and Cologne too) are pretty popular travel destinations, we'd rather book in the next couple of days and see who's coming. Otherwise we'd have to rent a spot somewhere deep in the woods or you all have to camp in my backyard

[AGA]

Are you happy to incur the cost of the booking deposit yourself for the time being, and get your money back via PayPal when people are willing to commit?  I can just see raising funding adding further delays otherwise!

[abstauber]

Nah, I'll simply start a kickstarter project, so we can buy the place
--
But yeah, that's a problem I'm well aware of. For renting a popular place that's the price to pay - again: it's peak season and it's the capital.

[cat]

As soon as the dates (and then my vacation) are confirmed, I can pay my full share. And I think I prefer m0ds' house, it seems to be better suited for our needs (pool and jacuzzi - that's like Italy and Ireland in one place!).

[AGA]

I'll be able to pay as soon as necessary.  As will a few other people, I'm sure.  Roughly how much is the deposit for each place?

[abstauber]

The booking fee for the pool villa is 500 euro and Villa Katharina is around 1000 euro.

Btw. funny math at the pool villa: free bikes cost 2 euro per person and day 
http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p768088
Also with all additional costs listed at the bottom of the page, the stay at the pool villa is 4007 euro, so there's no real price difference except that it's closer to Berlin

@cat and AGA: That sounds awesome.


--edit: on the german page the additional costs for the pool villa are lower, although the booking fee is way higher (1200 euro). I'm excited what I get to read in the owner's mail

[m0ds]

? I'm getting 153.27 GBP (185 euro) per person for the week... (with 18 peeps)
and that's including the deposit paid equally between us so we get some of that back too... more like 170 euro... No?

2999 euro fee, 300 eur deposit, 42 euro for daily fee. Where did you reach 4007 euro?

I got about 190 GBP on Katharina with 18 peeps.

Either I've got my maths wrong or perhaps you should pretend you're viewing their site through google translate like me

THAT SAID LOL there are no single beds :/ theyre all doubles/kings. Not ideal if you're not berian and jen.

[abstauber]

Hehe, well there's also a real english version of that page, which I've linked to the first post. It says:

Other charges 5 â,¬ per person and day 2011, 6 â,¬ per persons and day 2012
(This includes: Bed linens, hand towels, electricity, WLAN, water, cleaning)

Extra reserve able: Sauna 1 â,¬, Whirlpool 1 â,¬, Bicycle 2 â,¬ (Price per person and day)
Bookable only for all persons and for the entire period of stay

On the german page, they say 6 eur per day includes everything, but for 18 people it's still 756 eur extra charges.
So all in all the pool villa costs 170 gbp

[m0ds]

Oh I get it, yup! I see the math better now .^^

How the hell are you supposed to pre-book sauna/whirlpool or buy it on the day? Or perhaps it's token operated? LOL. Or will they just assume we'll book both 18 times over for the full week. Cheeky!

[Snarky]

There's an option for a pool? Well, I know which alternative has my vote! (Seriously, it looks great. Bikes! Sauna! Sorry, Villa Katharina, my heart's been taken.)

Any time except the first half of July works for me, and I can pay up right away to help cover the booking fee.

[Disco]

Wow that new place looks great, and more Mittens-ey than the previous selection. +1 for the pool and jacuzzi!

Is it well positioned for using the bicycles for more than country touring? I just had this menacing vision of the lot of us riding in a pack and cruising over a hill

I'm in for any dates, but early August is still my preference.

[Grundislav]

I'm in for any date.  I'll be unemployed so no pressure to get home for me, although earlier than late August would be preferable. 

[Ghost]

@Ghost: would that also be possible for you?

It's possible; I'll have to haggle a bit bit with my bosses, but I really want to be there. It's probably the best chance to attend Mittens I'll ever get, so yes, still interested and 87% sure to make it!

[Mr Jake]

I'd like to register my interest! I'm free for any dates, and cost of what I've seen so far would be fine. I'll keep checking in!

[LimpingFish]

I'm in. List me as probable/definite.

Anytime in August is fine by me.

The nearest airport to the pool villa is...Berlin Schonefeld (SXF)? Direct flights to/from Dublin seem to hover around the 90 euro mark, which is also fine.

I should be able to contribute my share up front, as soon as I sort out my dormant Paypal account.

[Esseb]

Put me on the list of definite attendees also.

Any date in August works for me. I can pay my share early as well if we need to gather enough for the deposit.

[cat]

I showed the link with the house to Bernhard and now he is a possible too - that would also sort out the double bed issue for me

[AGA]

Jen really loves the idea of the pool villa place too.  If we can get that place in early-mid August we're definitely both in, assuming employee approval for time off.  Otherwise it'll be just me, since I'm contractually obliged to attend all Mittenses.