FYI Blocking hotels

It was just brought to my attention by a guest that he found a better rate for the hotel we blocked rooms at on the internet. I checked 3 hotels in the area and they're all about $15 cheaper on-line. I guess in hindsight it does not surprise me. I book all my reservations, flights and hotels on-line for that reason.

Now I'm trying to let people know that they can get a better rate. The hotels on LI are pricey, and saving $15 a night is significant IMO, especially since so many of our guests are traveling a far distance.

If I could do it over again, I would've included a note in the STD to check certain websites for rate specials or something like that.

Thought this might help some of you...

Jen

Re: FYI Blocking hotels

Jen, what hotel was this for?

Re: FYI Blocking hotels

I blocked rooms at the Hampton Inn, Islandia (blocked at $135) and the Econolodge, Ronkonkoma (blocked at $84). I found the cheapest rates on Orbitz.com and Expedia.com. Travelocity.com's rate weren't cheaper.

Is anyone else finding the same thing with the hotels you blocked?

Jen

Re: FYI Blocking hotels

Just checked online and the Wyndham is offering rooms for $139/night. That's supposedly my 'blocked' rate

I guess I didn't get much of a discount for blocking 25 rooms!

Re: FYI Blocking hotels

Hey - you are right. I blocked rooms at the Huntington Hilton for $149/night - but on Expedia they are $139. Should I call the Hilton??????

Re: FYI Blocking hotels

Definately call the Hilton -- You have nothing to lose!

My group rate there for June 29 was $129 (booked a while ago though)

Re: FYI Blocking hotels

I would definitely call your hotels.

I am using the Holiday Inn in Plainview and my blocked rate ($109) is $20 cheaper than the Holiday Inn website and $60 cheaper than the Orbitz price. I know when you just call the room and ask the rates they tell you $139.

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OK - Now you have really got me going - I just went to Hoteldiscount.com and found the rates for 109 for the Huntington Hilton! That is $30 cheaper than my blocked room rate! I am going to keep searching and then have my FH contact the Huntington Hilton (he is a much better negotiater than I am!).

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About a month ago I discovered that the new Red Roof inn had rates for $85 a night (on their own site!!) when I was given the block rate of $104.99. So I called them immediately and ask how is it that I can find a better rate online compared to blocking off a group of rooms? They told me that the individual hotels are responsible for internet specials and room block rates do not get affected by this. Also, sites like expedia, hotels.com and lodging.com buy these rooms in bullk from the hotels and a deeply discounted rate and then pass on the savings. So I decided to keep my blocks just to make sure that rooms were available but then told my guests to check out rates online before using our block.

Re: FYI Blocking hotels

Just a note- you might want to tell guests to check out other discounts online, such as AAA, or military discount. I am going to a wedding in Newport in a few weeks and got the room for $15 cheaper with AAA than my friend's 'blocked' rate.

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Don't forget that these are 'internet 'rates. I got a hotel on expedia, but when you book just one night, it is charged in full to your credit card...no cancellations....and if they book 2 nights and cancel, they forfeit on enight. That is why expedia etc. can be cheper. You can't necessarily compare the two rooms. I blocked the Sheraton and I am not worrying about it. If people are internet savvy, then they can find cheaper, otherwise they will do what is most convenient.

Good luck!

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One other thing I just noticed.....The Wyndham (sp/) is listed at $128 on orbitz (I think it was Orbitz), and when you go to reserve it the total with taxes is $215. This didn't happen with the Hampton or the Econolodge, just the Wyndham.

I agree that blocking rooms for guests is the most convenient for them, but for those on a tight budget (i.e. MOH getting married 5/3/03) it would be worth it to shop around.

Jen

Re: FYI Blocking hotels

some of the hotels don't actually give you a discount when you block (like the marriott in Uniondale) - they just guarantee the price, that it won't go up even if they raise their prices before your wedding. For my wedding weekend (Columbus Day weekend) there is not a hotel room to be found within a 20 mile radius, as it is also hofstra family weekend or something like that! Thank God I got rooms at the Red Roof Inn, it was the last place that wasn't booked...6 months before the wedding! I went on line to see if the rates were cheaper than my block and the hotel is sold out so no way to tell.

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ALso to let you know...if people don't book in your hotel block...you may not know everyone who is staying at the hotel and then they won't get their welcome package...just a thought...