how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

Do you have to guarantee a certain number of rooms?

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

Depends on the hotel, we didn't. Call them directly and ask to speak to someone in sales. It's quite painless!

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

I agree with Piaz - completely painless. Just call them up, Wingate in GC did it all over the phone for me

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

make sure that you ask those questions when you speak to someone. Huntington Hilton, if I remember correctly or the Marriott wanted a gaurantee & if the min was not met, you'd be charged. Get it all in writing & then go over your contract carefully.

good luck

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

You have to sign a contract? Do I have to give any money?

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

No money involved..just sign a contract guaranteeing the hotel nights needed and how many rooms..but if they don't book, you don't lose anything.

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

Sorry to keep asking dumb questions, but how do I know how long people are planning to stay? Or how many rooms I need, if people are going to stay with family instead? Do I just guess, or am I supposed to call everyone?

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

You don't have to worry about any of that.

You can start by blocking 10 rooms for just the night of the wedding. I blocked 10 for the night of the wedding, and 5 for the night before also because I know of a few people coming in from out of town.

It's really a no-brainer, because you don't lose anything if people don't book.
Oh, and if you need more, you can always add as people book them...

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

Thanks- of all the things to stress about, I pick this! Go figure...

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

You need to speak to the group sales person at the hotel to get a price quote for the dates you have in mind, get info such as check-in and check-out info, total number of rooms, etc. Then you need to sign a contract for the XX number of rooms, for that price quote, and read all the fine print. Depending on the hotel some require a credit card to secure the rooms and some don't and also depending on the hotel while some after XX amount of rooms requested a credit card is required for a deposit. It all depends on the hotel. Many hotels will not hold you responsible if all the rooms you've requested on your contract are not used, thus the unused rooms from your contract will return to the hotel's inventory. It all depends on the hotel.

I've reserved five (5) hotels as we had a lot of OOT guests coming from all over the world: Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Arizona, Californa, Colorado, Connecticut, Moscow, Russia, Pennsyania, etc.... as many it's the first time in the U.S.A.
I've blocked rooms at:
* Millennium UN Plaza New York (ceremony across the street at the UN Chapel)
* Crowne Plaza Hotel at La Guardia Airport (reception in Queens)
* LaGuardia Marriott (reception in Queens)
* Courtyard by Marriott at LaGuardia Airport (reception in Queens)
Our reception was at Caffé on the Green in Bayside, Queens.
* Wingate Inn (for MIL's guests--we had a post-wedding party at MIL's house in East Meadow, LI the next day)

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

I got a block at the Huntington Hilton . . .and blocked 10 rooms . . .although I'm expecting much more. No minimum . . .no guarantee . . .no nothing! It's harmless. They don't ask for a credit card number or anything . . .you are not responsible for rooms that are not picked up.

**Also, did you ladies know that you can call certain airlines and get a GROUP rate?? Your guests don't have to all travel at the same time in order to qualify for a 'group rate'. All you do is call the airline and go give them your name so that when your guests make their reservation, they can ask for the ________&________ wedding party rate. (it's a small discount...but hey, it's better than nothing!) ALSO, they can get a discount rental car as well by booking with the partner airline.**

Re: how do you reserve a block of hotel rooms?

I blocked 10 at the Wingate Inn (thanks Latina)- it was so easy, they were very helpful.