Help!! Room Block help

Leigh822

I set up 2 room blocks- one was at the Marriott in Downtown Newport and the other was in Middletown at the Courtyard Marriott.  I am planning to provide transportation from both locations.  Yesterday I call the courtyard and my 10 rooms were already filled and they will not give me more rooms.  So...I am now looking for another room block to set up and the prices are more than the courtyard.  I want to provide transportation now that will stop at the courtyard and make another stop to pick up guest at another reasonable priced option. Options listed below: (which place makes the most sense based on location -2 stops to pick up and drop off guest and overall price).

Best Western- will give me 20 rooms however the rooms do not seem to be discounted as they are the same prices on the internet
Friday and Saturday in July- $197.99

Howard Johnson- will give me 10 rooms
15% discount from rack rates however if you go online you can get a 20% discount (they are just non refundable).
Friday and Saturday-
Standard: 194.65
Deluxe- 211.65

Econo Lodge- will give me 10 rooms
Friday and Saturday
2 doubles- 139
1 king- 149

Travelodge- will give me 10 rooms
Friday and Saturday
2 doubles- 152
1 king- 162

Rodeway Inn- will give me 10 rooms
Friday night- king: 139.99
Saturday night- king: 149.99

Did I leave any place out?  Holiday Inn was too expensive ($229/ night)

Thank you!!

kchabot

I would definitely stay away from the Econo Lodge, it's not known to be a good chain.  Best Western is probably your best bet out of that bunch, but I agree it sounds too pricey.

jlsimon56

Did they say WHY they wouldn't give you any more rooms?  That sounds ridiculous to me.  If your first 10 rooms filled up, they're getting business.  It's not like room blocks are cheaper.  I'd press them into giving you more rooms. 

526SadieSadie

I agree with jlsimon.  Otherwise, you're kinda screwed, July in Newport is the busiest time, as you probab;y already know, I wouldn't count on getting anything cheaper than what you already have unless you try Jamestown or Fall River but either way, it's going to turn into a transportation nightmare...

SummerBoston10

I would definitely pick the Best Western out of those options.  It is by far the most convenient and much closer to the downtown Newport Marriott than the other hotels.  I called the Best Western and they don't give you a discount off of the regular room rate but your guests can use discounts like AAA on top of the block rate.  The good thing is that they will track who has made reservations if you are doing OOT bags and you are locked in at the price in case it does eventually go up. 

Leigh822

Thank you!!  I think that I will set up the room block at the best western.  I like the fact that I can block 20 rooms first time around- however $198/ night sounds so expensive for a best western.  Oh well- guess that is normal for Newport during a busy july weekend. The courtyard has a lot of room block set up for my wedding weekend and it sounds like they need to keep a certain number of rooms available at rack rate in the inventory..or something like that.  The lady I spoke to said to check in every friday as rooms might become available and then I can slowly add rooms to my room block.  Hope that ends up working...

lizr7313

Do you mind sharing how much the room rates for the blocks at the Marriotts are?