Hotel Dilemma

divabride Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:00 AM

Hotel Dilemma

So we went to block off rooms yesterday at two hotels near our reception hall. Hotel A is right around the block from our reception hall and gave us a fair price. I am also not held responsible for rooms that dont book. Hotel B is literally right next to my reception hall. They quoted me $40 more and I have to guarantee that those rooms will be booked. I am financially responsible for the rooms that dont book. From my guestlist I can only see 11-15 guests that would definitely need a room. What should I do? Also, as guest would it bother you to be around the block or next to the reception hall? Would you want the choice of either hotel or should I look for another hotel compatible to hotel A?

dpli Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:04 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

I would say do NOT block any rooms that you will be held financially responsible for. Most places will hold the rooms for about a month before the wedding at the discounted price, then let them be booked to anyone. We blocked rooms at 2 places, because we invited a lot of OOT people. Many decided not to come, and some made arrangements to stay with family or friends. If I had promised to pay for any # of rooms, I would have been screwed! You already have plenty of things to pay for, you probably don't want to add unused hotel rooms to the list!

ChristineC68 Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:04 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

When we were planning our wedding and blocking hotels, there was no way on earth we were going to gte payment to the hotel for unused rooms. I would always wonder if they ended up booking them after they took my money.

As a guest, I would be perfectly fine with having the hotel around the corner or up the road a bit.

soon2bMrs Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:06 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

I don't think it matters if you are a block away or right next door. Plus you don't want to have to be financially responsible for the rooms. I would just go with hotel A.

o17range Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:08 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

Hmmm, that's a tough one. Well, I guess it's just what YOU feel comfortable with, based on your guests. Those guests you think might need a hotel room, do you think the extra $40 would make a difference to them? Maybe you could reserve 5 rooms at hotel A and 5 rooms at hotel B (I suspect it wouldn't be a 'group' rate then.....) As a frequent OOT guest for others weddings, I usually go with the one that has a continental breakfast! That might not help too much, but its what usually makes up my mind!

FrescaBride Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:14 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

Posted by soon2bMrs

I don't think it matters if you are a block away or right next door. Plus you don't want to have to be financially responsible for the rooms. I would just go with hotel A.

Ditto !!

divabride Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:16 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

Posted by o17range

Hmmm, that's a tough one. Well, I guess it's just what YOU feel comfortable with, based on your guests. Those guests you think might need a hotel room, do you think the extra $40 would make a difference to them? Maybe you could reserve 5 rooms at hotel A and 5 rooms at hotel B (I suspect it wouldn't be a 'group' rate then.....) As a frequent OOT guest for others weddings, I usually go with the one that has a continental breakfast! That might not help too much, but its what usually makes up my mind!

This was what I was thinking. I wanted to block 5 rooms because I know that would include myself and some people from the bridal party that are interested in staying the night. But hotel B said I had to guarantee 10 rooms to get the discount rate. I think I'll just block one hotel for now, and if I see that I need more rooms, I'll block at another. Thanks guys!!

DebMaher Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:17 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

Wow. Unless I am missing something (am I -- is Hotel B signigicantly wors eor better than Hotel A) this seems like a no-brainer. Around the corner is not a big deal and you should not be out $$$ to guarantee rooms.

divabride Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:29 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

Posted by DebMaher

Wow. Unless I am missing something (am I -- is Hotel B signigicantly wors eor better than Hotel A) this seems like a no-brainer. Around the corner is not a big deal and you should not be out $$$ to guarantee rooms.

I wont lie to you. Hotel B is A LOT nicer than hotel A. Plus its just more convenient which was my concern. I thought it would bother people that they didnt have the choice of staying in that hotel.

ChristineC68 Posted: Oct 12, 2004 10:30 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

They have a choice to stay there. We don't always stay at the blocked hotels.

If anyone asked and you told them you would have to pay for the rooms, they would certainly understand.

David'sbride Posted: Oct 12, 2004 11:26 AM

Re: Hotel Dilemma

No way would I ever block rooms that I was responsible for. We blocked 10 but most of my cousins OOT will probably just take over my aunts and uncles houses on LI. If they don't like the hotel or if they wait too long they can make their own arrangements. Wasn't too many years ago that OOT guest were completely responsible for their own lodging.