Hotel Block Problems!

I'm having a really hard time figuring the hotel block out!

We are looking for a place where we can have an after party (hotel bar, lounge etc). We would also like to provide a shuttle for guests to get to and from the wedding. Our issue is that our wedding reception begins at 2pm and most of the hotels do not provide for check-in until 3-4pm. The hotels we have contacted have either said there is no early check-in or that they cannot guarantee it.

Many of the out of town guests will stay two nights in the hotel, so it will not be a problem for them. But what happens in the case that people drive from out of town the day of, or for in-town guests who chose to book the hotel? Has anyone else dealt with this?

Hotel Block Problems!

my reception is near yours (Hamlet in Commack).. I could not find a nearby hotel with a bar, free shuttle and breakfast.. i used Kleinfelds to narrow down the search, and the only hotel that kind of fit that description was the Sheraton in Plainview, but i thought that was kind of far... I ended up doing my block at the Melville Marriott.. the bar is open super late and its a convenient location for everyone.. but i had to compromise on the shuttle which I'm booking separate.

Hotel Block Problems!

hi! i used this hotel block service to help. they put your bids out there and then you are given all of the contacts to reach out to the hotels. i booked my night before hotel block & night of hotel block & it worked out fine.
Good luck!
http://grouptravel.org/need-a-hotel-for-wedding-guests/

Re: Hotel Block Problems!

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Posted by mrspwooho

my reception is near yours (Hamlet in Commack).. I could not find a nearby hotel with a bar, free shuttle and breakfast.. i used Kleinfelds to narrow down the search, and the only hotel that kind of fit that description was the Sheraton in Plainview, but i thought that was kind of far... I ended up doing my block at the Melville Marriott.. the bar is open super late and its a convenient location for everyone.. but i had to compromise on the shuttle which I'm booking separate.

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I'm a Commack hamlet bride too... Using hampton inn in Commack.

Hotel Block Problems!

We used Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks to block our rooms. They do all the work and it's a free service. They have you fill out everything you want in an email form, they contact all hotels in that area and get quotes for what you have requested. They send you a spreadsheet with answers to all questions that was asked (if they have shuttle to venue, bar, how close to venue, different room rates, etc) I couldn't be happier w Kleinfeld

Re: Hotel Block Problems!

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Posted by mrspwooho

my reception is near yours (Hamlet in Commack).. I could not find a nearby hotel with a bar, free shuttle and breakfast.. i used Kleinfelds to narrow down the search, and the only hotel that kind of fit that description was the Sheraton in Plainview, but i thought that was kind of far... I ended up doing my block at the Melville Marriott.. the bar is open super late and its a convenient location for everyone.. but i had to compromise on the shuttle which I'm booking separate.

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How much is the Melville Marriott for your block? Just curious...

Hotel Block Problems!

we booked @ the windham and then they closed down 5 months before our wedding :(

we rebooked @ the hampton and got a pretty good deal for a shuttle from mayfair limo in E Npt. Our wedding was later in the day but hampton said they could check in even at midnight after the wedding.

if you want a bar, you probably have to go to planview (try holiday inn)-- we did NOT do this as their shuttle was like 8-10 people only and our wedding was on a fri PM and we were worried about rush hour. Or, the upton has a bar but no shuttle (at least they didnt when they were a sheraton. and i thought the first floor was nice (bar, etc) but the rooms were not nice. (motel-y)

Re: Hotel Block Problems!

I'd say this is a pretty common issue. I've driven to out-of-town weddings where I was only staying for the one night and my hotel wasn't ready and wouldn't be until after I needed to be at the wedding. I think people will be okay! Either they drive in what they are wearing to the wedding, or they find a place to change and leave their stuff in the car, or they ask a friend that may already have a room and leave stuff in there.

I really don't think it's critical for people to check-in before the wedding but it's always worked out fine for me and I never had issues. If I were you, I'd book with the hotel that has the shuttle and afterparty that I wanted and let people figure out the pre-wedding situation for themselves.