I'm getting married during a holiday weekend and we're looking to book hotels in NYC or Westchester. It's a difficult process and FH seems to think that us booking a hotel at a group rate is ridiculous. He wants to tell people to use priceline and get their own hotel.
I see this as (to put it nicely) a little out of the ordinary. FH doesn't believe me...so I'm asking for your help: Has anyone ever been to a wedding where a block of hotels was not secured? Have you ever been left on your own to find a hotel for an over night stay?
Please help...I'm hoping to print this out and show FH what the responses are...
Thanks in advance
siobhanB
Posted:
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Re: Need help re: hotels...
I haven't ever been to an OOT wedding where there weren't hotels pre-picked with rooms reserved. I guess its possible to just find your own place, but if nobody's from around here, they may not know about the 'good' vs. 'bad' neighborhoods, plus its nice to stay in the same area as other people from the wedding so you could hang out afterwards, or atleast carpool so less people are driving. I don't think it takes all that much on your part to get the rooms held at a group rate, especially since you usually don't put money down on them, so alls it'll cost you is a couple hours, and it is a nice gesture -makes it easier for your OOTers. HTH
agentangel
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Re: Need help re: hotels...
hotel room blocks are very convenient...esp for you in planning since the hotel manager can help you arrange out of town boxes etc. if there aren't many out of town guests, it's not necessary. i've been to weddings where there were no room blocks because only a handful were out of town.
that said...my wedding is over a holiday weekend and the rate that i blocked is 50% less than the going rate off of expedia or any of the online services. if you want your guests to stay in one place - which i did - block the rooms. it doesn't take much effort and it is worth the effort.
Backinneyork
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Re: Need help re: hotels...
I work for a hotel company. The block or a group rate is the easiet way to go. And usually, during holiday weekends, occupnacy is usually low in NYC, so you should be able to get a good rate.
waterspout4
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Re: Need help re: hotels...
I've never been to a wedding where a hotel wasn't blocked.
Jaims0603
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Re: Need help re: hotels...
I agree that it is a nice gesture and doesn't take much time. Most hotels do not charge you anything to block, and offer a discount group rate. I don't see the harm in blocking one or two hotels, and maybe offering a list of other hotels in the area to indicate that you don't really care if your guests use the recommended hotel.
If you have a block at a hotel, there is nothing stopping your guests from checking priceline to see if they can get a better rate for that hotel.
