Giorgio's Brides- Hotel Block

We blocked at Holiday Inn Express- they beat the other hotels rates by between $50-$150 per night and they provide free shuttles to/from Giorgio's. Also, I believe that Hilton Garden Inn does not have a Bridal Suite, which I wanted for the BP to get ready in the day of.

We blocked about 18 months in advance I think? Then I watched the prices on their site, and when it dropped down, I went back and had them lower the block rate. Now the rates are much higher again, so our block rate is coming in at almost $100 less than the current nightly rates for that same weekend.

I am booked at the Hilton Garden Inn. When comparing it to the Holiday Inn Express they actually gave us the same price for a Saturday night in August. The reason I chose the Hilton was because it had a bar for after the wedding and a restaurant to do a brunch the next morning. Holiday Inn does not have a bar and only a continental breakfast area so we would have to go elsewhere for a brunch. The shuttle is extra at the Hilton though and I have to do 2 round trips for all my guests. I booked the hotel about a year in advance. If you go to the Hilton, ask for Megan.

Edit: The group rate we got is almost $200 less than the regular rate for that night. Also, I didn't really care about having the bridal suite...so that wasn't a factor for me. The Hilton does have a few rooms with jacuzzi tubs in the room (not the bathroom)...its actually in the room! So I booked one of those for me

I definitely suggest visiting all 3 hotels out there and getting comparisons for yourself too- the Hilton Garden Inn (HGI), Holiday Inn Express (HIE) and Hotel Indigo are all very different styles, prices, and offer different amenities- so in the end it's which hotel has the most to offer YOU.

We wanted a Bridal Suite, free transpo and a lower rate for our guests, which for us happened to by at HIE. We are also debating extending the reception 1 hr, b/c when we priced it out for what we would spend on beer/liquor/soda/food or a bar tab for an after-party at the hotel, it came out pretty close to the cost of extending the party at the RH and our DJ for one hr. And unfortunately we are not in a position to cover the tab for the morning after brunch for all our overnight guests (looking to be roughly 60 people) so the continental breakfast was the way for us to go (and we will probably supplement with fruit platters and NY bagels).

But definitely make it a point to see all 3 and from there you will figure out which is best for you and your guests.

thanks girls! i have stayed at the HGI for a family members wedding last year, so I know what that one is like. i guess I will take a ride out this weekend and look at the other two.

what are the rules for blocking the rooms, can you block as many as you want? Is there a penalty if all the rooms don't get booked? At the HGI, how much is the shuttle?

thanks I am going to contact the hotels this week! try to get another check on my longggggg list of stuff to do!