Rhode Island

Hotel Room Blocks

I'm getting married in Newport next year (Oct.) and all of my guests will be from out of town. I plan to block rooms at a hotel. I was thinking of doing Hotel Viking because they have a big enough property for my whole wedding party to stay. Although, they may be too pricey for some of the guests. I love the idea of a cozy B&B type place but I will be hiring transportation for my guests to go to and from the reception and I don't want my trolley to have to stop off at more than two establishments (meaning the B&Bs aren't big enough and time=money). Does anyone have a reccomendation for a budget hotel that is in (or within a mile) from Newport? Also, anyone have anything good or bad to say about Hotel Viking? Any other reccomendations for a mid-price hotel if we don't go with hotel viking? Most of all- anyone know of a hotel with their own shuttle service so I don't have to rent the trolley? And one more question.... I don't want to stay at any of the hotels my guests are in on my actual wedding night with my new husband...anyone have any reccomendations for a hotel with an awesome honeymoon suite for the night before we take off to our actual honeymoon?

Re: Hotel Room Blocks

  • edited December 2011
    Congratulations! 

    Hotel Viking is a good choice, tons of rooms, good location. There is also the Marriott and Hyatt downtown that could fit everyone. I do know that if you do a room block with the Hyatt or Marriott ( and I think the Viking does too ) that you have an event minimum with them. People just do a welcome reception or post wedding brunch. Since you're in October, that might not apply to you though.
    I have my room block at the Hyatt and they have a small shuttle that runs only to downtown seasonally, so you might need to get a trolley. 
    A B&B I've always heard good things about is the Pearl's of Newport. You can also rent out the inn for your guests. 
    You could look in Middletown at the Newport Inn and Suites. I'm pretty sure they don't have an event minimum and will definitely be cheaper then Newport. 

    For you wedding night, look at the Chandler. They have beautiful rooms and it's right on the cliff walk.  It's more expensive then most, but it's worth it.

    HTH!
  • edited December 2011
    We have a block of rooms at the Middletown Howard Johnson for our October wedding and it is VERY reasonable.

    Our other block is at the Hyatt, and we do not have an event minimum there.

    You can definitely find some larger B&Bs; in addition to the Pearl there's also Admiral Fitzroy (I want to say they have 18 rooms?)

    Good luck.
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  • edited December 2011
    Check out Middletown too...we have blocks at the Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn (on the beach), and the HoJo.  There are a ton within the mid range.  I think the farthest is 1.6 mi.
  • edited December 2011
    Our room blocks are at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Middletown.  Our wedding is this Sept. and I found the rates to be reasonable and the staff to be super helpful.  Also, prices tend to go down on hotels rooms in Newport after Columbus Day since that is the "end" of tourist season.
  • RoyalOrientRoyalOrient member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    About hotel blocks, I decided not to do it because the rates were actually higher for my guests so I gave them a short list of hotels close to our venue that were reasonably priced as well as a boutique style B&B like the Pearl's. I've been using this bride's guideline for hotels. She listed the hotel prices too. Very informative

    http://08-08-10.com/?page_id=9
  • edited December 2011
    I'm going through the same thing right now for my July 2011 Newport wedding.

    This link has been really helpful:

    http://www.ayleebits.com/2009/08/10/room-blocks-in-the-newport-area/

    also, i recently stayed at the viking on a trip up there and LOVED it.  I highly recommend it.  And it's big enough that I think you can stay there with your husband-to-be and your wedding guests the night of your wedding.  I'm sure they'd be more than accommodating if you wanted a little space from the rest of the rooms you've blocks.  Or I would stay at Castle Hill (but I'm a Castle Hill bride - so a little biased!)

    Good to know about the event minimums - I had no idea!  eek! Undecided
  • hollygb22hollygb22 member
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Middletown, even though its a different town, is literally 1-2 miles from downtown Newport. There's  a Howard Johnson, and a Hampton Inn and I believe a Best Western as well near the casino

    there's also a newer Comfort Inn --maybe 2-3 yrs old across from the Atlantic Beach Club as well
  • edited December 2011
    We have blocks at the Marriott and the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina for our wedding (in a few weeks!).  In terms of service, the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina has been excellent, and very accomodating.  The Marriott is a very nice place, but they were not as easy to deal with as the Harbor Hotel.  The Marriott also has fees for things like handing out gift bags for guests ($3.50 per bag).  We figured that the Marriott is a familiar name, and some guests would be more comfortable staying in a place they know. Also, when you are inquiring, ask about minimum night stays for room blocks- some of your guests may want to stay only 1 night, and the Harbor Hotel was ok with that (at least for April).

    I am staying at the Pearls boutique with my bridesmaids and parents.  It actually worked out to be a better deal for the bridesmaids by sharing suites.  I would suggest going there if you can, and checking it out.  We just dropped by and the owner/manager gave us a grand tour.  They have a lot of little perks to make it nice.  They also have some extra fees, so find out about everything up front.
  • edited December 2011
    Where is your ceremony and reception located?  I think this will help us give you advice.

    We plan to stay in a suite at our main hotel block hotel (the Hyatt) because we are getting married at Belle Mer and the Hyatt is the most convenient hotel for everyone and we are hosting an afterparty in our suite so this works out best anyway.  If you are looking for a great room at a separate hotel check out the Chanler, Castle Hill Inn, the Vanderbilt and then maybe some B&Bs.  I'm sure the Viking (if you go with them for your block) would be able to give you a room far away from your other quests. 
  • Chrissymm1976Chrissymm1976 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    cglennon,
    which hotels did you find were requiring a 2 night minimum for April?
  • Emily1224Emily1224 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    My wedding is at the end of september and we had a hard time finding "affordable" rooms for our out of town guests in downtown newport.  the Hyatt and Mariott quoted us at $300+ a night, 2 night minimum.  we ended up finding great block rates at the Marriott Courtyard ($135!) and Residence Inn in Middletown.  Also Best Western, which is located right off of 138 when you get over the bridge.  Only downside is that none of these hotels offer shuttle service and have 2 night minimums during peak season.  For those who only want to stay one night, we gave them an option in South Kingston RI, which is about 10 miles away, and will set up some kind of shuttle service. 

    Good Luck!
  • edited December 2011
    LisaTyler...
    Myhusband and I are throwing a 10th Anniv party in Newport in Oct.  I booked rooms at the Viking because people can walk everywhere from there.  The rate was 229 per night, instead of 329.  I plan on telling people about this room block, but then will list cheaper alternatives for them to book on their own, should they choose to do so.  I am having a post party breakfast the next morning in a private room...but this was NOT a requirement for the room block.  Good luck!
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