Guest Hotel Dilemma...

Jay+Marissa · January 2010

So I'm in the process of finding hotel(s) to block rooms for our out-of-town guests.

The facts:

--We have a guest list of close to 300. About 200 are out of town.

--Quite a bit of Jay's family is coming, and they will likely want to stay in the same hotel

--The four locations that our guests will need to go to are:
       The Church (Coppell)
       The Reception (Downtown)
       My house for the Sunday brunch (Flower Mound)
       DFW Airport

It seemed like a no brainer to me and my mom that we would get a hotel around Grapevine Mills--10 minutes from the airport, my house, and the church, easy highway access to downtown, lots to do, lots of other accomodations if someone wants to stay at a resort, but be near other traveling family

The problem is Jay's parents are creatures of habit BIGTIME, and his mom thinks the Summerfield Suites off 114 in Irving (near where they used to live) is perfect. They stay there EVERY time they come up to visit my family in Dallas (even though there are similar hotels much closer). She wants to block rooms there for Jay's family to stay in. Granted, it's about 5 minute closer to the reception, but further from everything else. And they don't live in Irving (or DFW) anyway anymore, so why there??

We probably will block rooms at 2 hotels, but to me it makes much more sense to block rooms at 2 hotels (one cheaper with standard rooms, one nicer with suites) in the SAME area to give all the guests options.

For example, I have an uncle coming with 4 kids--he probably would like to get a suite, but it will be a pain for him to be that far away, especially since they are staying after the wedding to visit my family.

Is it unreasonable to try and ask her to change? The reasons she gave are that it is close to everything regarding the wedding (it's only closer to the reception hall and not by all that much) and there is stuff to do in the area (there is much more to do near Grapevine Mills) Or should I just suck it up?

ewinkler1977 · January 2010

Did you want everyone to stay at the same hotel? If not, then have her block of the rooms for her side of the family and you can block off rooms at a hotel in Grapevine for your side.

IF you do want them at the same hotel, my advice would be to appease your future MIL and let her book the hotel in Irving. It's not too much more of a distance and it will make her happy. And think about it, she can take care of blocking off rooms and that is one less thing on your to do llist.

fallbride1109 · January 2010

Since you need 2 hotels anyway, pick the one you want, let her pick hers and let the guests choose. You can always tell the guests about other options also. It's not worth the battle.

Incidentally, I hope you are having lots of help with the brunch. You are going to be exhausted--Ben and I had to drag ourselves to ours and all we had to do was go downstairs on the elevator.

juliebug1997 · January 2010

While I think you should ask your MIL to give in a little, I don't think that two hotels are going to be enough really. The places out by Grapevine Mills can fill up with business travelers, mall goers, etc very quickly. Bill and I have been turned away from staying out there on nights when I am out late for teacher things. Let her have her hotel out on 114 and pick two other hotels for the rest of the wedding guests. You never know: they might decide to stay closer to the house.

I do see your point though about it only being a few minutes closer to downtown. And it does seem a little silly on her part to insist on the hotels.

mandasue178 · January 2010

Book all three. If she really wants Irving, it's not worth the argument. Book what you want, and let her book what she wants. List all three and let your guests choose what works best for them. Your family and friends will likely stay close to you, and if her family wants to stay in Irving that's fine! It's not worth getting riled up over

pphqt10 · January 2010

I agree with everyone just book 2, atleast the one in Irving is close to the airport and only about 10 min from Gravine. Hope everything gets worked out with as little drama as possible!

Tiffany618 · January 2010

I agree that it is probably not worth a confrontation. Just book two hotels (or even 3) and let the guests decide. It may actually work out for the best since, as Julie said, the Grapevine area hotels can sometimes book up quickly.

BalletBride620 · January 2010

I didn't read any of the responses, but here's what I'm thinking. Why not book three hotels? If your MIL is anything like mine, nothing you can say will change her mind the her hotel is the best option. However, if people call and ask which you recommend you can say the ones you chose. (Also tell your mom and dad to suggest to your family the ones you chose.) Hope that helps!

amb0237 · January 2010

I completely agree with everyone else. Let her book that hotel and you book the ones you and want and list all three. I am sure your guests will appreciate the variety of hotels you reserved. Because, like you said, there may be some guests who want a suite.

Buttercup509 · January 2010

Just book 3. Pick 2 near Grapevine Mills like you want and book the hotel she wants. Just make sure that you are not responsible for any rooms left unreserved.

MissesKB · January 2010

I personally don't see it being a big deal to where you have to stress over it. As long as you can get a hotel contract where you are not responsible for unused rooms, what difference does it make? And if there are 200 guest coming from out of town you may want to reserve 3 hotels with that many guest and give them different options anyway. With the guest having to go to multiple locations for your events, clearly they have to have some sort of transportation and if they want to get there, they will. Don't worry so much about tyring to make everything in your opinion convienent for the guest because what makes sense to you does not make sense to all.

JessTX · January 2010

Yeah, make your life easier and get multiple hotels. Personally if your wedding is at night and I was attending, I would want to be closer to downtown so after a long day and reception, I could just be close by to crash.

almoyo · January 2010

Book all three.

That's a lot of people, why not give them options?

Jay+Marissa · January 2010

I emailed FMIL to see if she wants to use Embassy Suites instead of the one in Irving, and I'll just see what she says. Otherwise, I guess we will just book all three. Blech...it just means that I have to worry about gift baskets for guests at yet another hotel, and those guests might be left out of the hospitality suite if they aren't willing to drive to Grapevine for it. Oh well. Not worth stressing over.

Guest Hotel Dilemma...

Re: Guest Hotel Dilemma...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards