Post # 1
Member
275 posts
Helper bee
Hi,
So I recently contact two hotels near my wedding venue to get some information on their hotel room blocks. They both have a policy that states that a minimum of 10 rooms must be booked to guarantee the rate, and if 10 rooms are not booked, I am responsible for payment on 80% of the rooms. Therefore, if I set up the room block and only 6 rooms are reserved, I also have to pay $350+ on top of my reserved rooms to keep the rate (the block rate is about $50 off the usual rate). It’s definitely reasonable to have a minimum amount of rooms, but this puts me in an odd position.
I have 80-90 guests coming to the wedding, but I would say easily 2/3 of this number are local. A lot of the out-of-towners will likely stay with friends, which means I’m in a position where I can only really guarantee about 5 or 6 rooms booked and have no idea if a single other room will be picked up.
So do I just trash the hotel room block idea to avoice an unnecessary but likely $350+ fee, or do I go ahead with the hotel room block and hope for the best. I’m thinking of trashing the whole idea right now…
Post # 3
Member
1022 posts
Bumble bee
@princess_r: if you do it, only go with one hotel.
Post # 4
Member
1193 posts
Bumble bee
I say trash it. You could probably find an Internet deal that will save you more than $50
Post # 5
Member
3570 posts
Sugar bee
How much are the rooms without the block? If you only think a small number will take advantage, maybe a block isn’t worth the risk to you. Especially if the rooms are reasonably priced without the discount.
Post # 6
Member
13563 posts
Honey Beekeeper
If you anticipate that only a few guests will need a hotel, I’d trash the idea of booking a block. You could include a note about “these are some accommodations in the area.” If you don’t mention anything to your guests about a block of rooms being reserved, they’ll understand.
Post # 7
Member
1729 posts
Bumble bee
@princess_r: I would only go with one hotel. It doesn’t sound like you need two. This fill or pay contract is pretty standard. We’re in two right now and sweating it out!
Post # 8
Member
293 posts
Helper bee
I help set up room blocks at the resort I’m at currently. We are usually pretty strict, but some people get away with reseserving lesser rooms. I would ask, and see but definately stick with one hotel.
Post # 9
Member
2775 posts
Sugar bee
Since most of your guests are local and you anticipate that most of the OOTers will stay with friends, a hotel block is not necessary.
Post # 10
Member
145 posts
Blushing bee
I just went through the whole block/reserving thing for our Nov. wedding… I say in no way should you sign up for something that leaves YOU liable for costs of unfilled rooms. A wedding is expensive enough! I was able to negotiote with my 2 hotels, one I got not a reserved block, but just a “group rate”, so its a little lower rate, but also based on availability so when occupancy is reached, its no longer available, hence not a held block but just a discount. Win win for me and hotel. Im not liable for any costs. The other hotel (holiday inn) actually holds a block with NO costs to the requesting party. I suggest trying the website service hotelplanner.com. You post your info, and hotels compete to meet what you are looking for.. thats how I got the terms we were looking for… Good luck!
Post # 11
Member
50 posts
Worker bee
You should not have to pay a deposit or sign any clauses that make you responsible for unused rooms. Get rid of this hotel and find one that offers a courtesy room block. I copied and pasted the below:
A courtesy room block is a way to block hotel rooms with no deposit. In this kind of room block, the hotel does not “block” any rooms for you. They simply agree to honor a discounted group rate for your wedding guests. Guests can still call and make reservations under a group code just like a traditional block.
Read more: http://grouptravel.org/wedding/what-is-a-courtesy-room-block-do-i-need-one-for-wedding-guests/#ixzz2i123ZJ4c