Do we need a hotel block?

blabla89

Based on our guest list I'm estimating that, if everyone comes, our OOT guests would need around 13-15 rooms. Is this even enough for a block? I can't find one hotel that will please everyone - I know some guests will want the hotel closest to the venue, which has a higher rate, and others will want a lower priced hotel that's a little farther out. And then FMIL will want all of FI's OOT guests to stay at the Embassy Suites downtown (not close at all) because they have free happy hour or whatever.

Since our OOT guests probably won't book more than 5 rooms at any one hotel, is there any reason to set up a block? Do guests expect a block? Or would it be okay if we just offered suggested hotels without setting one up?

holyguacamole79

We didn't have that many OOT guests; perhaps 12-15 rooms. We had a block and the hotel (we used a Marriott) gave us a block. In your case, I suggest calling the hotels in question and ask if they have any minimums or if they will do a block. You could also suggest hotels, but it is nice (and requires little effort) to reserve some rooms for them.

lyndausvi

Blocks are nice, but not required.  However, if your wedding is during a special event weekend it's a good idea to get one so your are guaranteed a room.  

Special event weekends can be something obvious like 4th of July weekend in Philadelphia or not so obvious as a city wide hardware convention in a big city or  a Strawberry festival in a small town with limited hotel space.

mysticl

I listed like 10 hotels near the venue plus a phone number for beachfront hotels on my website. Only two people stayed at one of the 10 hotels.  I had someone stay at Wyndham because they own a time share through that company and get discounts.  I had someone stay at a Hilton because they are Hilton Honors members. I had someone else stay at the Hilton because it had a hair salon. Someone stayed at a Hampton Inn because they only stay at Hampton Inns.  A bunch of people wanted to stay at the oceanfront because it was the oceanfront (and the off season) even though it was not close to the venue.  DH's family all stays together so they can turn it into a family reunion and they coordinate the arrangements amongst themselves.  All and all I'm pretty sure a block would have been wasted unless we were holding the reception at a hotel and got a block there.  Then people might have put aside their preferences in favor of not having to drive back.  

theartistformerlyknownas

We have similar issues with family who will only stay at certain hotels, certain chains, certain price points, people who might be more tourist-y, whatever. We did a block at the hotel we're staying at (Marriott with a pool, free breakfast, and a shuttle to and from the venue), and listed 4 other recommendations (a Hilton for people who only stay there, a casino hotel downtown, a nicer one near where we're staying, and a less expensive one in the opposite direction).

littlestmonkey

We actually had the opposite problem - the Marriott would only give us a block of 20 rooms and I think at last count about 40 rooms had been booked so a lot of people booked outside the block. Something you might want to think about is that local guests sometimes book hotel rooms as well - we had family 30 mins away book in for the whole weekend and a couple book in for one night so they could have a night without the kids - so you could get to 20 quite easily (at least from my experience). We had a block where they guaranteed the rooms at a certain price until a few weeks before and then they released the rooms for general reservations so we didn't have to pay for any unused rooms - I definitely think something like that is worth doing