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Dedicated October 2022

Help: made room block and regretting it

Kelly, on August 3, 2022 at 12:18 AM Posted in Planning 0 12

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Ok: so we made the mistake of booking Best Western plus for our guests and us to stay in for the weekend wedding. I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess that we stay there a ton on road trips and visits to family and I have high status there but we booked this place unseen because it’s a destination wedding.
We got two room blocks with super cheap rate. Instead of $160 plus a night it’s $99 plus tax. This is near Disney so even the most expensive hotels are worn down from kids and high turnover . Now we are here visiting and this BW plus is not nice, clean enough, but so run down with stains on the carpet and chunks out of the wall. It’s also hot because it’s not all inside and I could not tell this from photos. The outside part around the whole walkway of rooms is like carpet at a beach motel. Dirty. I feel like I deserve more on my wedding night and I’m embarrassed to offer this to guests. The issue is if we move it’s going to costs guests more money and if I back out of staying here they lose the deal, at least I think so. Most people want to stay where we stay. So, I feel forced to stay here for my wedding weekend and that makes me angry. Why should I feel stuck on my day. The room is so dark I can’t imagine having my makeup done here.
If we move up the street to Marriot there will be a solid $50 to $60 difference and paid parking. Do I ask each guest or just tell them we are moving hotels and it’s going to be more? They can stay wherever and we listed hotels on our site but I’ve never been here so it’s all a gamble. I’m just upset that I feel I have no choice for fear of upsetting everyone.

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12 Comments

Latest activity by Julija, on August 6, 2022 at 3:21 PM

Super October 2023
Alyssa · on August 3, 2022 at 2:32 AM
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I would just be honest. Some people may move when they hear it's not nice, others might stay because all they need is a cheap bed and roof. Do you have to stay there to get the deal?

However you can stay at the fanciest boujiest of hotels it's your wedding night. Splurge. If guests want to stay near the bride and groom they can also stay at a boujee place.
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Expert October 2023
Bailey · on August 3, 2022 at 7:05 AM
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How many guests have already booked the BW? Are they close enough to you (relationship wise) that you can talk to them about your experience visiting the BW without feeling awkward? I definitely wouldn't tell the guests to move and pay more, that could cause some friction. I know if I was a guest and the bride told me that, I'd be annoyed especially if I was on a budget! But, you CAN tastefully tell them you have decided to offer an "upgraded" option.
I would get a block at the Marriot, and put both on your travel info. I have been to plenty of weddings that offer a cheaper option, so that way you can just leave it up to your guests!
Stay wherever you want to, and don't feel obligated to stay anywhere because that's where your guests are.
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Dedicated October 2022
Kelly · on August 3, 2022 at 10:39 AM
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Thanks Alyssa. I am not sure if I have to stay here to get the deal. I would have to ask. I guess first I’ll see what the Marriott offers rate wise and see if they even have enough rooms so close to the wedding. It’s two months away. I know a number would want to follow to where we are as we have not seen each other often or in years so it’s a chance for us to gather by the pool etc and catch up. I’m just upset with myself for booking this place to start.
We drove by the potential other hotel yesterday and reviews are ok. So far I can’t find any in this area around Disney that don’t have bad reviews on cleanliness or noise and even roaches. You can’t find much quality these days even the $400 ones had bad reviews. One was a Marriott that had roaches. I can’t believe it. I must have been lucky all these years traveling lol not to stay in these hotels. Our current hotel had ok reviews when I booked my blocks 8 months ago but four months ago are some bad reviews (like dirty soap left in shower or wash rags). I hate to worry guests will open the door to a room like that, ya know. Anyways, I will investigate more. Thanks.
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Dedicated October 2022
Kelly · on August 3, 2022 at 10:45 AM
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Hi Bailey. Thanks. I think about 16 rooms are booked here with us. Yes I am close enough to ask and let them know we may move and they can choose to stay. I just have to find out if they get the rate if I go. I just know anyone can cancel anytime up to 24 hours before. Each guest will have to annoyingly call and cancel and rebook elsewhere. But yes I don’t want anyone forced to lose a low rate and pay more. I’m just mad at myself for not booking two options to start and saying in the beginning that we were staying here. I should have waited until I saw it to say we were here.
Well, I will find a way to tastefully say my fiancé and I want to upgrade for the wedding ….and find out if they can keep the rate. I am hoping with his status he can get us a room that isn’t too much more money like maybe $50 or less. Crossing fingers.
Appreciate the feedback:
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Super September 2022
Ashlee · on August 3, 2022 at 11:58 AM
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Your wedding is coming up, I don't know how it is there, but here, our rooms that weren't booked are released next week (sept 17th wedding), so there likely isn't a ton of time to make a new block elsewhere and if space is limited the block rate may not be a great deal. Have you toured the marriot to see the upgraded option?? Is it worth splurging? I would make sure you get a decent rate, then I would just let people know your experience. Be honest and say "we booked here without visiting, and after visiting have decided to switch to Marriot or _________ hotel, anyone who would like to switch or who hasn't booked yet, we've secured a block here at this rate $$$, you can book using this link: ___________. If you're switching make sure to cancel at the BW!" and leave it up to your guests.
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Expert May 2025
Traci · on August 3, 2022 at 12:03 PM
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If I were a guest I would want you to tell me your honest opinion. And if it's not good enough for the bride, I probably wouldn't want to stay there either. I would be willing to pay an extra 50 60 bucks.
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Dedicated October 2022
Kelly · on August 3, 2022 at 9:01 PM
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Thanks Ashlee!
We went today and saw two different Marriott properties side by side and saw multiple rooms just showing up! Much nicer. We have to wait for pricing until sales team calls but I plan to make the switch and will do just like you said. People can stay if they want or move! I could not picture carrying my wedding dress in and out of this place we are currently in.
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Dedicated October 2022
Kelly · on August 3, 2022 at 9:03 PM
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Thanks Traci. Right! I would want the honest opinion too. And people can stay if they want and be closer to the venue or be a little farther away. The venue has few hotels right near it. These new hotels are also away from Disney chaos!
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Rosebud · on August 3, 2022 at 9:19 PM
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I think telling everyone there is a nicer slightly more expensive option is a good idea but just know some people maybe a little frustrated but what can you do. Were you planning on having a shuttle from the hotel to the venue for the guests? That would be my concern having multiple groups staying at various hotel blocks makes it a little difficult to set up transportation if you were planning on that. Good luck, hope it goes well!
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Dedicated October 2022
Kelly · on August 3, 2022 at 10:30 PM
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Hi We talked about a shuttle versus so many having to Uber. The two companies I reached out to didn’t respond. I guess I need to figure out how many people are staying before being able to tell the shuttle we for sure have a certain amount. I don’t think they will do it unless I have a large quantity.
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Lady · on August 4, 2022 at 2:27 PM
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You could also just eat the cost of the $99 so your guests can have access to the BW if they want it (the hotel won't know or care if you and your spouse actually sleep there, ya know?) and then offer a room block at the Marriott as well. Then people can have options and you can sleep at the nicer hotel.
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Expert October 2023
Julija · on August 6, 2022 at 3:21 PM
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Defiantly move yourself. You can post on your wedding website the update and let people decide on their own.
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