Blocking Rooms at Hotels

KHollyTX

It looks like we're inviting more out of town people than I realized.  Can y'all give me an idea of how blocking rooms works?  I'd rather not call around and sound like an idiot. 

Thanks!
Holly

professorscience

You just call and ask if they do any special rates for weddings (some do, some don't) and then you reserve a set number of rooms.  You have to put down a credit card number, but the hotel will either a) release unsold rooms in your block about two weeks before your date or b) call you to ask what you want to do with the unsold rooms, in which case you can release them.

I called:
Adolphus
Doubletree Campbell Center
Palomar
Belmont
Magnolia

What's interesting is that my MIL called Adolphus AND Palomar, and received lower quotes than what I was given.  When I asked them why, no one could explain.  I think they just heard "Bride" and tacked a few more bucks onto the price.

Just make sure you have a clear picture of what the last day to reserve is.  The hotel I used gave me a "final day" that was four days before my wedding, so that's what I passed on to my guests; when in reality, the "final day" was two weeks before my wedding, so a few of my guests who tried to reserve late were told there were no rooms available in my block and were told they had to pay about $40 extra.

KHollyTX

Wow.  Thanks for the information about the final day.  That's great to know. 

You used Doubletree right?  I was thinking about Palomar, Doubletree, and Magnolia.  They seem to be some of the closer nicer ones to White Rock, but I feel like I could be drawing a blank.

Do you know if transportation to and from the venue can be coordinated with the hotels or should an outside transportation vendor be used?

Thanks!

juliebug1997

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_blocking-rooms-hotels?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:4fba3d91-f5e5-4ea9-bb42-9b180cf917f1Post:9f327a3b-75a5-46ac-814b-fc2902e2ef96">Re: Blocking Rooms at Hotels</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow.  Thanks for the information about the final day.  That's great to know.  You used Doubletree right?  I was thinking about Palomar, Doubletree, and Magnolia.  They seem to be some of the closer nicer ones to White Rock, but I feel like I could be drawing a blank. Do you know if transportation to and from the venue can be coordinated with the hotels or should an outside transportation vendor be used? Thanks!
Posted by KHollyTX[/QUOTE]

They have a shuttle that pretty much just goes only to and from North Park.  You'll probably need to coordinate your own transportation.

MarieSD

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_blocking-rooms-hotels?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:4fba3d91-f5e5-4ea9-bb42-9b180cf917f1Post:3613bf8e-4c64-497c-8f2f-801c6b620066">Re: Blocking Rooms at Hotels</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Blocking Rooms at Hotels : They have a shuttle that pretty much just goes only to and from North Park.  You'll probably need to coordinate your own transportation.
Posted by juliebug1997[/QUOTE]

Ditto this. FWIW, I originally had on an insert with my Wedding Invitations: "I've reserved blocks at Hotel A and Hotel B. Hotel A costs $X and offers a free shuttle to/from wedding events. Hotel B costs $X and offers an indoor pool."

So, my guests that didn't want to drive in TX knew to book at Hotel A, and those that were happy renting a car and driving themselves booked at Hotel B.

And when Hotel A went back on their word and told me my guests couldn't use their free hotel shuttle the week before the wedding, I booked with a shuttle company that made a continuous loop of all the hotels. So there's your other (more expensive) option.

Jay&Marissa

A few hotels I looked at held you responsible for any unbooked rooms...nixed those, but be aware of it.

You might check out the Hyatt Place on 75. We LOVED the one in Grapevine for our OOT guests (the rooms were nicer than some much nicer hotels I've stayed in) and their rates might be on the more reasonable side for your guests. It wouldn't be a bad drive to White Rock and they might be able to work with you on the shuttle. Plus it is next to Northpark

professorscience

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_blocking-rooms-hotels?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:4fba3d91-f5e5-4ea9-bb42-9b180cf917f1Post:9f327a3b-75a5-46ac-814b-fc2902e2ef96">Re: Blocking Rooms at Hotels</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow.  Thanks for the information about the final day.  That's great to know.  You used Doubletree right?  I was thinking about Palomar, Doubletree, and Magnolia.  They seem to be some of the closer nicer ones to White Rock, but I feel like I could be drawing a blank. Do you know if transportation to and from the venue can be coordinated with the hotels or should an outside transportation vendor be used? Thanks!
Posted by KHollyTX[/QUOTE]

They gave me the name and number of a guy they recommended for shuttle service: Everett Carew, I think.  Most of the hotels I talked to had very limited shuttle services.

According to my seven-year-old nephew, Hotel Palomar is "THE NICEST PLACE WE'VE EVER BEEN."

KHollyTX

Thanks Ladies!  This is all very helpful information.  I don't feel quite so clueless now.