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Louisiana-New Orleans

Room block help?

Complete DW in the FQ-- We're inviting about 90 but I'm thinking maybe 60-70 will actually make the trip. 

I originally didn't want to do room blocks because if it were me personally, I'd want to stay at a B&B or rent out an apartment in the quarter or look on my own into any of the other hundreds of hotels.

Did anybody NOT block rooms and have everything work out ok?  Or do I just need to suck it up and for the sake of my guests' convenience book some room blocks?  How many for a wedding of that size?  Thanks ladies!

Re: Room block help?

  • RYLZRYLZ member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited April 2012

    I would be inclined to arrange room blocks.  It makes things easier for your guests (which will make them more likely to attend) and it can keep things running more smoothly if everyone is close to each other geographically (our 4 guests that didn't stay at one of our room blocks were always late for everything they attended)--especially the wedding party and family.

    I had room blocks for 60 rooms (split between 3 hotels).  We had 80 guests (which worked out to about 56 rooms) and all but 4 of them stayed at our 2 main hotels, using up every room in our room block.

    HTH

  • edited April 2012
    I would agree that room blocks are important, especially for out of town guests.  Your guests can choose to use them or not use them.  We blocked about 60 rooms at 3 different hotels (different atmospheres/locations/price points) and our guests have taken advantage of it.  I think guests find room blocks convenient and it's a no brainer for many of them. 

    It may sound daunting to set up, but it's really not - promise.  Try hotelplanner.com or just contact the hotels directly.  We have been working with the W (on Poydras, not in the FQ), the Royal Sonesta and the Astor Crowne Plaza, all of whom have been great to work with.  Plus, by spreading out the room count over 2-3 hotels you don't run the risk of being liable for the unused rooms.  Your guests will just have to book by about a month before the big date, at which time the rooms are released back into the general room pool.  Otherwise, easy peasey.
  • Thank you both!  That was the kick in the butt I needed and the information you shared is very helpful!
  • I definitely "third" the room blocks, for the reasons the ladies listed above, and also because as your wedding gets closer, you will see room rates go up quite a bit. Any late planners will find that your room block rates are typically the most reasonable. NOLA Navy Week is the weekend of our wedding and as soon as they announced the dates for it (dates hadn't been scheduled when we picked our date), hotel prices spiked dramatically. Our room block rates were far below most other hotels (especially in the Quarter). Good luck!!
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
  • We did a room block for our March 2013 wedding. Send an email to the convention center site, and they will send one out to hotels that meet your criteria, and the hotels will contact you directly. We went with the hilton riverside because they didn't have any "hidden" fees. if people didn't use the rooms then we will not be charged, no minimum to book, and also no charge for welcome bags at the bell stand, and some of the other hotels were charging $3.50-$10. just to hand them out as guests checked in...not delivering each to the room. The coordinator has been very helpful.
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