hotel block- pay for unused rooms?

Re: hotel block- pay for unused rooms?

• mbcdefg member

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Can't you just block 25 for now, and then ask them to add on more as they're needed?

  

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• caketime

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Agree with MB and what hotel is this?  Usually you do not have to pay for unused rooms and can block in sets of 10.

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• stapletond

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  The hotel gives first preference to people having events at the hotel.  So if the hotel is hosting a wedding that evening, they get first dibs on the hotel rooms that aren't blocked.

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• kdimartino98

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Yes, that sounds about right... at least for me anyway.  They allowed me to hold 25 rooms aside, but if those rooms booked up and there is additional availability, they would add rooms to the block at any time for us.  I would up the room block to at least 30 if you know definitely they would be used. 

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• cateyes624

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Most hotels usually hold the block until a month before and then release the rooms that have not been booked therefore allowing the rooms to be used.  I personally would not use that hotel just for that fact.  That could be a really large bill. What area are you looking in?  Maybe someone can suggest a different hotel.

  

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• Danes983 member

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Typical hotels do practice this way. So dont think they are scamming  you.  Here is how to get around that.  Most hotels will allow you to add more rooms as they are booked so you can always have 25 to be used (does this make sense?)  So block 25. Have  your immed family, bridesmaids and groomsmen who are staying call and make a reservation.  Then, call and ask for more rooms.  Next when you send out your STD's see if you can put it on there and say space is limited call asap. OR something like that. So then they can call and book too.  Check back once a week to make sure you still have rooms in the kitty.  Typically about 3 weeks after any unused rooms get put back to hotel inventory.

  
  

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• I <3 Seabass

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  That sounds pretty normal to me. I don't know if our hotel does the same thing because we didn't need to block that many rooms but I could see where they are coming from. I would block the 25 and then once those book up ask the hotel to add more rooms to the block. Another option would be to set up blocks at 2 hotels. That way you give your guests a choice and if the rooms don't book up like you expected you're not stuck paying for the unused rooms.

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• stapletond

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Great!  Thanks everyone for your suggestions.  I'd prefer for people to stay at the hotel (Pearl River Hilton) because we are having the brunch there on Sun.  I'll book the 25 for now and will add on more rooms or add a second hotel.Thanks!

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• acablitas member

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  Agreed with what pp said.  I only blocked 10 rooms b/c I'm pretty sure that most out of towners are staying with family.  But we don't get charged for any rooms that aren't booked.  What hotel are you using?

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