Rhode Island

Newport Hotel Blocks - July 4, 2010

I think that the first thing I need to is get room blocks because our wedding will be on a holiday weekend.  Has anyone had any experience with room blocks at the Hyatt?  I have to get a room block here because I'm getting married right next door at Belle Mer.  I checked on their website and it says that there are no rooms available for July 3-July 5, 2010.  That can't be right?!?!Does anyone have any recommendations for a lower priced room block option as well?  I'm going to hopefully make the Hyatt my "home" hotel and then I won't provide transportation for guests but I would like to offer a cheaper option because I know the Hyatt will be expensive.  Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!!

Re: Newport Hotel Blocks - July 4, 2010

  • lwolf2001lwolf2001 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I have a room block July 2-3 at the hyatt. Are rate is $319 and its a two night minimum. I havnt looked anywhere else. I have a ton of OOT guest bit the only reserve 20 rooms at a time..once they fill up, they give you more.
  • edited December 2011
    I am also getting married at Belle Mer in August 2010 and looked into the Hyatt for room blocks due to its close proximity to Belle Mer. FYI- There is a F/B min. with booking a wedding room block and the rooms are pretty expensive. If your ok with spending atleast $1,000 F/B min. and your guests don't mind paying almost $300 for a room-  they also require a 2night min. as well. I would contact the Hyatt directly to speak with someone just to make sure they are not already sold out. I highly recommend checking out hotels in Middletown. I have found a lot more luck doing this- its less expensive than Newport, short distance from Newport, and most do not require a 2nt minimum.HTH !
  • melinda478melinda478 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Look into Middletown for hotels, its alot cheaper then the Hyatt and Newport downtown hotels. Blocking the Hyatt is good if your getting married there. We blocked the Comfort Inn and Quality Inn in Middletown right across from the beach and had our RD at the Atlantic Beach Club which we just walked over too.
  • edited December 2011
    For those of you who only went with Middletown hotels, did you provide transportation to the wedding for your guests?  The Hyatt would just be so convenient.  I know my our parents will want to stay at the Hyatt and so will we.  I just find this frustrating because we stay at the Hyatt frequently, probably 2-4 times per summer, and we always book it by bidding on Priceline for $125-$200/night!  The Comfort Inn and Quality Inn are convenient though because they are right by the beach so people staying there could walk to the beach and the Cliff Walk.  I think I'm going to try and offer several options. 
  • edited December 2011
    we rented a trolley to transport us/bridal party around Newport for pics before the ceremony, and then once the trolley drops us back off at Belle Mer before the ceremony its going to go out and pick up guests at the hotels that we set up room blocks at, and will transport guests back and forth all night from Belle Mer to/from hotels. HTH!
  • melinda478melinda478 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We rented a Trolley for the guests but in all seriousness its like a 10-15 min drive from those Middletown hotels to Goat Island.
  • edited December 2011
    I, too, recommend checking out the hotel offerings in Middletown. My fiance and I just went yesterday to sign a contract with the Residence Inn (I think it's in conjunction with the Marriot). We spoke to Jim Paulon who was recommended by our Newport vendor. We got an excellent price, but I must warn you that this is primarily because we are getting married on a Sunday in November, so rates are vastly different for that time of year than they are for the summer and holidays. That being said, the hotel is quite nice, very clean, only two years old, and has excellent reviews. Also, I think providing transportation to the hotel is a very considerate idea. We aren't doing that because our guests are primarily in-state, and the ones who arent' stay with family when in town. If I had a longer engagement and more time to plan, I think we would have considered it. I hope you are having fun planning!
  • producerchickproducerchick member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    The Best Western in Middletown is also a great option...I believe it's just over a mile from Belle Mer. Most of our guests ended up choosing this hotel b/c rooms there were $100/night. We did get the reduced rate b/c we got married on the Thursday night before July 4th, but their rates were still the best for the entire weekend. 
  • edited December 2011
    Thank you for all of the advice.  I am going to check out a few of these middletown hotels to see what rates they offer.  I think the Best Western in Middletown might be a good option because you don't have to go through town to get to Belle Mer.  I know traffic on the 4th of July around 6pm could be bad.  Out of curiosity, what was the cost for the Trolleys and approximately how many people do they fit?  I would really love for my guests to not have to drive because there will be 5 hours of open bar. 
  • melinda478melinda478 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    The Trolley fits 30 people I believe possibly a few more, can't really remember. Depends on who you go with, look into Viking Newport Trolley, South County Trolley and I think Rockstar Limo has a Trolley. Some are red and green and others are white. Depends on your price point and preference.
  • bmwleebmwlee member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In an effort to offer hotels at different price ranges, we have blocks at the following hotels (with October pricing):Newport Beach Hotel and Suites (2 night min, $169-$279 per night)Quality Inn (2 nght min, $153 per night)Comfort Inn (2 night min, $153 per night)Hotel Viking (2 night min, $349 per night)Middletown Courtyard (no min, $155 per night)Because of this - we are offering shuttle service to the reception (Rosecliff).  The Best Western had the best prices (right near the casino, not sure if it's Newport or Middletown) but we chose not to do it because it wasn't near any of the other hotels, which are a lot more concentrated geographically... Hope this helps - good luck!!!  Lee
  • edited December 2011
    I got a rate from the Hyatt of $339/night.  Since my wedding is on a Sunday, there will not be a two night minimum requirement.  I have asked them to lower the block rate so we will see what I can do.  I found it interesting that another poster here has one of the same nights on her block but her rate was $319.  We will definitely go with the Hyatt for one of our hotels because of convenience.  I really didn't want to offer a shuttle service because of budget and the Hyatt being right there but it is pretty pricey for some guests and I really don't want people to drive.  I will have to do some more investigation on pricing for the trolley and other transportation options.  Otherwise, I will just include cab information in the OOT bags.  Thank you everyone for your input, it is very helpful.  I'm so happy with how helpful this board is!
  • ninaramosninaramos member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I'm also planning a wedding at Belle Mer next summer and I am going to try to do a block at the Hyatt and one somewhere else for all my friends who are in grad school and can't pay Hyatt prices.  There's a Best Western not to far from the Thames St area that has $108 rooms... not luxury at all but it provides a cheap option if you need that.  Also, I am going to try some of the Inns downtown.  I have heard the Jailhouse Inn is not too far.  Let me know what you decide... I definitely need soome other options as well!
  • edited December 2011
    Did some of the Middletown hotels offer you guys discounted rates? The Best Western is telling us that the rate you get for the block is whatever that rate is the day you book the block.  So, today, the rate for my weekend is $189 so that is the block rate and those with AAA can still get a 10% discount.  I am in shock at the poor response I have gotten from the hotels regarding blocks.  The person at the Hyatt takes forever to respond. I sent her an email on Monday asking about the rate for a suite and I still haven't heard back.  I left two messages with sales at the Best Western and no one ever called back.  I called again today and finally got someone on the phone!  You would think that people would want our business!I'm check the quality/comfort inns next. 
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