I had an excellent expreience today with the hotel wedding coordintor and I thought I'd share.
I had originally wanted to book a block of rooms with the Hilton Bayfront and looked forward to the guests staying close to downtown and the venue. I called the "group resevervation specialist" and he was rude from the get go. I started explaining what I needed and he pretty much cut me off and told me that he would be happy blocking 5 rooms for $250 a night. I told him that we needed 15-20 and he simply stated that their policy is 5. Whatever. $250 would buy our guests a room at the Casa Monica which is highly superior. (and I told him that)
So, on to the good part! I drove over to the Hampton Inn at the beach and was warmly greeted. The coordinator was very helpful. She gave me plenty of options in regards to room types, a link for the website to reserve a room under the guest rate ($120.00) and offered to hand out the gift bags as guests check in with no charge. I was very pleased with her and the hotel. I'm excited that our out of town guests will be able to stay on the beach, with a nice pool for an affordable price in a very accomodating hotel!