Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

When we blocked rooms we did not have to put down any deposit at all, and we blocked for a holiday weekend.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

No, that is not normal. I blocked off 3 different hotels and did not put any money down. I would say find another hotel!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

i don't think that is normal. I'm holding 40 rooms and didn't need to put a deposit on anything. The extra rooms get released one month prior. I had looked into 4 different hotels before we decided and none of them wanted deposits.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I blocked rooms at the Wingate Inn in Garden City..no deposit and they just release the unused portion of the block a month before wedding. I am not responsible to pay anything either.

If I were you I would check into other hotels!!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

No, is not the 'norm' but as someone else said, it depends on the area. Every hotel room I booked for my wedding in the Hamptons had to either be paid for upfront or 50% deposit in order to hold longer than 30 days. This is also because you are not dealing with large hotels but mostly inns and B&Bs. Luckily most of the rooms are already gone...where are you trying to block rooms?

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

Our hotels are blocking rooms for us and none required a deposit. They're even holding the rooms until 2 weeks prior, but if someone calls to book at any time (even if the blocked rooms are released) and they have space they'll give them the group rate.

What does the hotel expect? That your guests will reimburse you for the deposit? That is so tacky!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I didn't have to pay a deposit either. Hampton Inn.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

They actually have my credit card on file and everytime someone books a room they reimburse my card. Its worked thus far but I certainly wish I didn't have to do it. Seemed like standard procedure in the Hamptons though.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

Thanks for all the replies.

I don't want to mention the name of the hotel for various reasons. I think I will look around at other places that are sort of in the middle between the ceremony location and reception.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I blocked rooms at the Hunt Hilton (20 for Thurs night, 25 for Friday night and 25 for Sat night) and I didn't put any money down. The Melville Marriot wanted $$ down and that is why we did not choose them.

If you put $$ down, your guests don't reimburse you - your depo is on a credit card, so when the guests pay, they pay for their room in full and you then won't be charged for their depo.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

Jennyg - my hotels are hamptons hotels as well...yours required a cc deposit????

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I didn't have to put any money down either....but they only held the rooms until one month prior to the wedding.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

NYCMeghan - FM!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

We did not have to put down a deposit for the hotels that we booked, but we did for a B&B that we booked for DH's parents. My advice (which i know you didn't ask for ) is be careful and don't reserve the rooms if you don't need to. We were shocked at the # of out of t own guests that did not come to the wedding (people we could have sworn would come or even that told us earlier that they were definitely coming). I think people are just not traveling as much anymore. (this may have been because of the war, so maybe it will change again). And try not to go with a hotel/inn/B&B that requires a deposit. good luck!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

Blocked 10 rooms at Hampton Inn Brookhaen and no money down

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I didn't have to leave a deposit or credit card number at any of the hotels I booked.

I think when I was blocking rooms one of the hotels mentioned it- but I was getting married in January and I basically said, 'come one- who else is blocking out rooms a Friday in January.'.. maybe it was a Howard Johnson or something? Actually when I was blocking the rooms I think the HoJO was MORE than the marriott Melville ($149 vs. $99)