How do free shuttles from hotels to venues work?

peaches85

Do you have to have a room block at the hotel in order for your guests to use the free shuttle service?

How does the shuttle driver knowwhen to bring guests to the venue and when to pick them up to go back home after the reception?  Do guests have to make a reservation ahead of time or is it like those buses down in Disney that are constantly shuttling people back and forth at all times of the day?

Denise91980

Yes...you do have to block off rooms. There is an agreement you make with the hotel. They usually take 2 trips to the venue prior to the ceremony or reception and 2 trips after.

mbcdefg

We blocked off rooms at the Hampton Inn in Fairfield, and guests could take the shuttle to the hall. When I called to inquire about this, they said they'd send a shuttle at 5:15 and pick people up from the hall at 11:15 (reception went from 6-11).

IDK how many shuttles to the hall they sent, since we didn't take it. And I didn't hear anyone saying that they asked to see a room key, so I imagine that you could just grab the shuttle even if you weren't a hotel guest. They sent several shuttles when the reception ended and we (me, MH, bridal party and a few other friends) were on the last one. They didn't send any shuttles while the reception was going on - just the beginning and end of the party.

I'd call your hotel and ask.

tanyavreeland

i got a free shuttle with the marriott .. for every 15 rooms that get booked they give you a shuttle that holds 40 people. they have a certain pick up and drop off time. but its completely free to me that was really important.. another hotel i looked into said that they can get me a shuttle for $60 a person

obviously the more rooms that get booked the more shuttles you will need they give you and unlimited amount.. not everyone needs to be staying in the hotel to ride the shuttle if there is extra room.. the hotel is arranging all of the shuttles i just have to tell them what the pickup and drop off should be

when you reserve a block of rooms the hotel will give you a code..make sure guests tell the hotel that the code when booking

Shand18

For the hotel I'm using, the shuttle is only free if I book 10 rooms.  Every 10 rooms on the block earns me another shuttle.  If I have less than 20 rooms booked, the shuttle only makes 1 trip to the venue prior to the ceremony and 1 trip at the end of the reception.  If I am interested in having more shuttles and/or more trips and am under the 20 room mark, I need to pay for that additional shuttle/trip.

I agree with PPs, definately check with your hotel.  I don't know if they all work the same way. 

peaches85

Sounds good.  Thanks ladies!

Danes983

Mine was for at least 10 rooms. But as of now (6 months out) we already have 23 rooms booked then night of the wedding so they are ensuring us they will run 4 simultaneous shuttles at their expense since they dont do a bus anymore and it looking like we will have between 60 and 80 guest rooms.  They are also going to take the bridal party separate and early from the  rest. My suggestion to you would be to get this all in writing on your contact so you know exactly what you should get.  The times can be arranged later.

hcer0708

Danes, What hotel are you using? I asked the Brownstone and they said the closest one would be The Holiday Inn on 46.

Danes983

Hcer, I am using the Ramada in Wayne. They are really great. Although its on the service road the rooms are so nice and I am getting an $89/ night rate that includes breakfast the next day.  Also, they are great with the shuttles as I said below and they are good with comp rooms.  I got our room the night of the wedding (suite) as well as both parents rooms comped with a low amount of rooms booked. Since I booked so many i also got us 2 rooms the night before (suite for me and standard for FI). Marilyn is great. If you want their number let me know.

Danes983

Oh, whatever you do. Dont use the Residence Inn.  The woman is nasty, they are not willing to work with you and wont let you use the shuttle on the weekend. STUPID!

hcer0708

Thanks Danes. I called the Crowne Plaza in Fairfield and you have to guarantee them 20 rooms in order to get the shuttle. The guest would have to pay $150 for the rooms which i think is to much. I would love the info for the person that you are dealing with.

Danes983

Marilyn Roper 973-256-7000 I dont have her extension.  She seems a little bit spacey, but she does have it all together. 

hcer0708

Thanks so much!