Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking

Jlp818

Has anyone tried to reserve rooms at a hotel for thier wedding night (night before) or blooked out rooms?  We tried but they said ohhh you're way to early. 
When should we?  I'm kinda nervous because the hotel has a wedding their the same night as mine and i want to make sure we get our rooms booked!!

armywifeplusthree

Since our honeymoon will be a cruise our port is about five hours away so we will be driving there the next day and staying the night. Our hotel is available for booking. I wonder why they would tell you that.

Love11506

The hotels by me said ok... We blocked rooms at a Residence Inn by Marriott.  Are you trying to block at an independent hotel or a chain?

armywifeplusthree

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2013-weddings_hotels-honeymoons-and-room-blocking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:26a515ec-8009-4599-b81d-5edee3b3fb3cDiscussion:8a61b5c0-9c23-46ed-9380-05f90c1f601ePost:1cacc0b0-0dcc-42fa-889e-834ed1b37f56">Re: Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking</a>:
[QUOTE]The hotels by me said ok... We blocked rooms at a Residence Inn by Marriott.  Are you trying to block at an independent hotel or a chain?
Posted by Love11506[/QUOTE]


Ditto. Same hotel here.

TayBeach2013

Jlp, we're in the same boat with the hotel block!  I was going to book the hotel block the day we saw and loved the venue, but were told we would have to wait until January 1st.  I may try to call in a few weeks though, just to see if I can sweet talk my way in a little earlier lol.  I would have already sent STDs if that were handled .

Honeymoon was booked last week for an insane deal; no airfare though.  Airfare doesn't seem to be available more than 331 days from the trip (I did look), and it seems to be more beneficial -in the case of international flights- to book no sooner than 4/5 months out.

elliemonster2012

Absolutely. Our hotel let us book starting at a year and we did it right at the year!  What if they sell out of suites or something crazy?!

We have Northwestern University in the same town we are getting married and the graduate students move in that weekend.  We booked two suites for the Friday night before with a late checkout (3pm) for the second so we only needed to book the second one for 1 night instead of 2.

I'd push it!

TayBeach2013

And it's a chain - some jazz about not knowing the rates so far out.  Then again, I was talking to a desk clerk so next time I will dial up a manager.

Jlp818

Ok i'll try again!  We were trying to book at the holiday inn about a month ago and the kid laughed and said try back in March!  I just went on the website and it looks like they are booking for September there so I guess I will call this afternoon.  He probably didn't want to be bothered!

KSerafin17

I used to work at a hotel and I know that the system only allows you to book room blocks exactly one year in advanced and sometimes it is not until January 1. If they know you have a wedding AT the hotel, they will more than likely have the rooms for you even before the block. Also, they will usually only release a block of about 25 rooms, once those fill, they will block another 25. So it is best to have your VIPs ie Parents, Wedding Party, Grandparents, etc book RIGHT AWAY so another block can be reserved for other guests.

Also- only deal with a sales manager not a front desk agent. The front desk does not have view into group blocks so it is best to go directly to a sales manager that has visibility into the room block system.

APDSS22

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2013-weddings_hotels-honeymoons-and-room-blocking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:26a515ec-8009-4599-b81d-5edee3b3fb3cDiscussion:8a61b5c0-9c23-46ed-9380-05f90c1f601ePost:d55cbfe7-7847-4958-9166-90914c3d94de">Re: Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking</a>:
[QUOTE]I used to work at a hotel and I know that the system only allows you to book room blocks exactly one year in advanced and sometimes it is not until January 1. If they know you have a wedding AT the hotel, they will more than likely have the rooms for you even before the block. Also, they will usually only release a block of about 25 rooms, once those fill, they will block another 25. So it is best to have your VIPs ie Parents, Wedding Party, Grandparents, etc book RIGHT AWAY so another block can be reserved for other guests. Also- only deal with a sales manager not a front desk agent. The front desk does not have view into group blocks so it is best to go directly to a sales manager that has visibility into the room block system.
Posted by KSerafin17[/QUOTE]

Awesome, inside intel!

elliemonster2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2013-weddings_hotels-honeymoons-and-room-blocking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:26a515ec-8009-4599-b81d-5edee3b3fb3cDiscussion:8a61b5c0-9c23-46ed-9380-05f90c1f601ePost:c0e0c6e0-63cc-40db-87af-b9e4be814458">Re: Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking</a>:
[QUOTE]And it's a chain - some jazz about not knowing the rates so far out.  Then again, I was talking to a desk clerk so next time I will dial up a manager.
Posted by TayBeach2013[/QUOTE]

Check to see if you can book on their website

KSerafin17

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2013-weddings_hotels-honeymoons-and-room-blocking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:26a515ec-8009-4599-b81d-5edee3b3fb3cDiscussion:8a61b5c0-9c23-46ed-9380-05f90c1f601ePost:4d1cd810-bef5-4dcb-b3df-38824264206c">Re: Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking : Check to see if you can book on their website
Posted by elliemonster2012[/QUOTE]

The website may say that you can book regular guest rooms far in advance. However reserving a room block is different. The hotel's room block system may not allow group rooms and rates that far in advance because they either can't due to the system or won't because they don't want to committ to a large block that far down the road.

If you are 365 days out, which we all are by now- you should be able to call the Sales Manager - usually there is one assigned specifically to wedding room blocks, and arrange for rooms to be held for your event. If they are not willing to do it until Jan 1- I would make an appointment time (even if it is via phone) for that Sales Manager to call you back to reserve. That way, the Sales Manager knows your name and is aware you will need a block for that date. Believe me, they will not turn you away because they get bonuses for the amount of money they bring in for room sales for groups and they will remember your name and to call you back when the system allows input of the rooms.

BostonGIrl4732

Jlp818, I'm in Boston too and they told us to call a year out.  We got our blocks last month and just increased one of them this week.  Maybe it's a different hotel chain but it seems weird they wouldn't let you set aside a block of rooms until March...

Jlp818

Thanks Ksera! 

Bos - yeah, I have a feeling whoever I spoke with didn't feel like dealing with it and gave me that BS line.  I wish i got his name!  I'm going to call and get it all booked tonight!

Thank  you all for your advice!

TayBeach2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2013-weddings_hotels-honeymoons-and-room-blocking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:26a515ec-8009-4599-b81d-5edee3b3fb3cDiscussion:8a61b5c0-9c23-46ed-9380-05f90c1f601ePost:4d1cd810-bef5-4dcb-b3df-38824264206c">Re: Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking : Check to see if you can book on their website
Posted by elliemonster2012[/QUOTE]

Tried this a few weeks ago, and today again (wasn't going to book, but just to see if I could), and that was a no-go.

KSerafin, thanks for your insider tips!  I usually go right to the top for anything (I have no problems asking for the boss, and 9 times out of 10 I get my way.  My friends joke that when my number comes up on Caller ID, instructions flash across the screen to "just give her what she wants!!"), but it was an in-and-out visit the day we stopped in so I let the clerk get away with that response.  However, I'm getting a little antsy and people keep asking for the STDs, so I'm going to have to make something happen soon.

KSerafin17

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2013-weddings_hotels-honeymoons-and-room-blocking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:26a515ec-8009-4599-b81d-5edee3b3fb3cDiscussion:8a61b5c0-9c23-46ed-9380-05f90c1f601ePost:f844a714-c7ee-4326-ba14-ea55f12015ad">Re: Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking : Tried this a few weeks ago, and today again (wasn't going to book, but just to see if I could), and that was a no-go. KSerafin, thanks for your insider tips!  I usually go right to the top for anything (I have no problems asking for the boss, and 9 times out of 10 I get my way.  My friends joke that when my number comes up on Caller ID, instructions flash across the screen to "just give her what she wants!!"), but it was an in-and-out visit the day we stopped in so I let the clerk get away with that response.  However, I'm getting a little antsy and people keep asking for the STDs, so I'm going to have to make something happen soon.
Posted by TayBeach2013[/QUOTE]

That is funny that your friends say that!!! I tried to pressure the Sales Manager at our hotel we are staying at after the reception for a better deal-but she just wouldnt budge. But I am with you- go straight to the top to try and get my way LOL

bluebfalo

Great tips... it makes more sense now..

DMoore421

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2013-weddings_hotels-honeymoons-and-room-blocking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:26a515ec-8009-4599-b81d-5edee3b3fb3cDiscussion:8a61b5c0-9c23-46ed-9380-05f90c1f601ePost:ed567adc-454a-45a4-98a5-fa3cc3f03a60">Hotels, Honeymoons and room blocking</a>:
[QUOTE]Has anyone tried to reserve rooms at a hotel for thier wedding night (night before) or blooked out rooms?  We tried but they said ohhh you're way to early.  When should we?  I'm kinda nervous because the hotel has a wedding their the same night as mine and i want to make sure we get our rooms booked!!
Posted by Jlp818[/QUOTE]

Our block was done exactly 1 year and 1 week out from the last day people will be staying at the hotel. I guess it depends on the hotel . 

Since they have a wedding their already though I would push to get your block - so you are not stuck with no rooms...

We have 5 rooms for thurs, 20 rooms for friday, 20 for saturday night and then 5 for sunday - the 20 rooms probably won't be enough for my group - since so many people in and out of town will need rooms - but i can increase if the block if full... up until a month before the wedding - if they dont have their rooms then , they won't be getting one at a discount...