Reserving a block of rooms

Oo hotels are no help? that doesn't make much sense... I haven't reached this stage in my planning yet but from what I've read blocking rooms varies from hotel to hotel. Some require a payment to block off a # of rooms - others don't. Some require a minimum... others dont... etc.

When you call - ask for an 'accounts manager' or 'someone in upper management'. If your talking to the regular front desk people that could be why your running into that problem. ;o)

I spoke with a "group sales" rep who asked for FH's and I's last name, the wedding date, earliest check in date, and check out dates, and how many rooms I needed. They reserved them for us, and we have to turn in a contract by the end of the month. We only asked for 20 rooms. If all rooms aren't booked by a certain date, then the hotel releases the rooms. We don't pay for anything. The guests will pay for their rooms. It's a discounted rate for our party. We're only on the hook for some rooms if we cancel our wedding and guests have already paid. Other than that, no payments, no fees. Just reserved rooms.

I spoke to someone today about this actually. She told me not to do this. That after I send STD to get in touch with people or send them the info about where they can stay and let them make arrangements. Call them if we want to try to get all together but have them make the reservations and they can ask to be near our other rooms. Reason being is that way we are not stuck with paying for unused rooms and people have options of making other accomadations. This is what they told me today at the Plaza and what they suggest for all their weddings.

I spoke with the guest services manager at the hotel we blocked at. Our block is interesting. We were given 10 rooms to start and when I filled those was given 5 more and this keeps continuing I am up to 23 rooms. With the first 10 rooms booked we got our wedding night free. On Sept 7th our room block is finalized. If someone does not book their room in time they will loose the block pricing and any unbooked rooms I have in my block will be released to the public.

When you go in to meet with them about the block ask for a general tour and see each of the rooms your guest might stay in.

Someone on this forum (sorry I can't remember who) gave me this website http://www.hotelplanner.com/

You fill out your area and any amenities you need then hotels "bid" on your request. I had around 26 hotels send me their quotes and I got to choose the ones I wanted. I blocked off 30 rooms at two hotels. Basically they give you a group rate and then when your guests call to reserve a room they say it's for your wedding and they get the discounted rate. They have until 3 weeks before the wedding to reserve before the rooms are offered to the public. I did not have to pay for anything at all.

I would HIGHLY recommend Hotel Planner.com. I learned about it from another bride on here. It is soooo easy, you have your pick of hotels, you can set a limit on the amount of $ you want the guests to spend and renegotiate if necessary, you can narrow it down by location, amenities, star ratings, etc.

We have reserved xx number of rooms and if they are not all booked by the deadline a month before the wedding, they are released back into the hotel's inventory and I'm not out a dime. It hasn't cost us any money whatsoever, and we're saving over $20 per room/per night than going directly to the hotel.

Check them out! Good luck!

Hotelplanner.com saved my life. lol Only thing I would say about it though is if you already have a pretty good idea what hotel you want to use, it would be better to go straight through them as hotelplanner charges them a commission and the hotel therefore adds that to their rate. You'll get a better rate for your guests going straight to them.

I have my hotel room block contract posted here: http://genevieveswedding.blogspot.com/2010/02/room-block.html

Maybe it will help? I didn't have to pay for un-booked rooms because the room block expired a few weeks before the wedding so the hotel could fill those rooms with non-wedding guests.

I reserved blocks of rooms directly with Marriot. It's a 10 room minimum. No credit card required. They release the rooms 3 weeks prior to the wedding if no one's booked. I reserved 20 rooms at two different hotels in Houston so that guests can figure out where they wanna be.

Mine was done the same as Jasmine D

We went to the Holiday Inn and talked with the service manager and she asked for our names, the wedding date, earliest check ins, and earliest check outs. Then she gave us a tour and a quote. Problem was she said she wasnt sure about the exact quote. She said between 77-79 dollars a night and that she would call me when she knew for sure. She never called! I dont know if i should go back and talk to her again or what. But i really want everyone to stay there because the night before the wedding i plan on staying in the suite, and would like it if everyone was with me. Sorry it doesnt help much but one thing i would say, GET THE QUOTE IN WRITING!! because i'm not sure if when i go back the price's for the room will be the some or not.

Hotelplanner.com is great. BE SURE you do not get the kind of block where you are required to leave a credit card OR that otherwise holds you responsible for the cost of any rooms in the block that aren't used. Most hotels don't do this anymore, but be careful. Our hotel block is small, but if all rooms aren't used, there is no consequence to us. Make sure you have in writing the rate available, on which dates that rate is available, for how long (ours is good for reservations made up until about a month before the event), whether a free hotel shuttle is available (if you need that), whether you and FH get a free room is a certain number of rooms are reserved, etc. That's why there is a contract, and make sure you get a signed copy! Good luck!

Here is a comprehensive set of articles that should answer most questions regarding room blocks: http://grouptravel.org/need-a-hotel-for-wedding-guests/