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Room Blocks (Not an etiquette question, but thought it fit here best!)

sweetart7799sweetart7799 member
First Anniversary Name Dropper First Comment
in Wedding Etiquette Forum
I just spoke to my coordinator, at the hotel where our reception is being held, regarding setting up the room block. He sent the paperwork over and the cost to book a room under this block is higher then if the guest just went online and booked a standard room on their own. There is one category of room that could be chosen that would be the same amount as he gave me, some also cost more, but there are quite a few options that are less then the group rate. Has anyone experienced this? If so, is this something that I should be negotiating? I am really, really bad a negotiating!! Thanks for your help J
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Re: Room Blocks (Not an etiquette question, but thought it fit here best!)

  • Cookie PusherCookie Pusher member
    Knottie Warrior 2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers

    Are the rooms in the block super nice rooms at a significant discount? I would definitely see what's up because that doesn't sound right. Every hotel I've ever worked with was willing to work with pricing on ALL rooms if it guaranteed them bookings (especially during non-peak times).

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  • cowgirl8238cowgirl8238 member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer

    To me that seems to defeat the purpose of blocking rooms...unless you are in a highly popular destination during a busy season, I would try negotiating some kind of discount on the rooms.  For us, the discount was a savings of about $20 off per night, but that is typical of our area.

    How many people will be coming from OOT?  Where is this hotel?  Are there other hotels near by?

    I would look around at other hotels before you agree to anything and see what they are offering.  If you go back to your hotel with information they may negotiate with you.  Also, don't agree to anything that leaves you finacially responsible for the rooms!

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  • photokittyphotokitty mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    edited January 2014
    The benefit to having a block isn't always the pricing as much as the hold - that the rooms are guaranteed to be available until the release date in your contract. I would still get the block and then tell guests they might be able to get a better package by looking on the hotel's web site. Also the price might be less now bc of how far in advance the booking date is, but could be cheaper than the posted rate when invites go out and guest start making arrangements.

    I always check both ways before I book. I think most folks do :) GL!
    :kiss: ~xoxo~ :kiss:

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  • InkdancerInkdancer member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its First Anniversary First Answer
    That could easily be an initial, high-ball price. Negotiate and try to talk them down.
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  • melbelleupmelbelleup member
    500 Love Its 1000 Comments Second Anniversary First Answer
    edited January 2014

    To me that seems to defeat the purpose of blocking rooms...unless you are in a highly popular destination during a busy season, I would try negotiating some kind of discount on the rooms.  For us, the discount was a savings of about $20 off per night, but that is typical of our area.

    How many people will be coming from OOT?  Where is this hotel?  Are there other hotels near by?

    I would look around at other hotels before you agree to anything and see what they are offering.  If you go back to your hotel with information they may negotiate with you.  Also, don't agree to anything that leaves you finacially responsible for the rooms!



    All of this. The point of blocking rooms means that people would get a cheaper rate than anywhere else and have a place to lay their head even if the hotel gets sold out. I wouldn't want to do a block room and end up paying more than I should of. I would point it out to the hotel and ask if it's a mistake if it is the exact same room for more. Make sure you don't owe them anything (other than your own room) if people do not fill up the block.

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  • sweetart7799sweetart7799 member
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Comment

     

    Thank you so much for your responses! The reception is in Baltimore, MD (The Inner Harbor Area). So there are other hotels nearby as well. I just liked the idea that guests would not have to leave the hotel after the reception at all (if that’s what they chose). I’ll research and go back to the coordinator with the lower pricing offered on the web and also clarify what room type (in case it is a super great room, at a discounted rate).If they are unable to lower pricing, I will absolutely check into other block-rates nearby, to give guests more options and definitely tell guests to double check prices prior to booking through the block as well. I did make sure that I have no obligation fulfill the number of rooms being held. I am no good at this wedding planning stuff! I worry that I am being bridezillaish/annoying if I try to negotiate a price that is quoted, ask too many questions ect… Should have eloped!!
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  • dramamonkeydramamonkey member
    250 Love Its Third Anniversary 100 Comments First Answer
    edited January 2014
    @sweetart7799 Also look at what is going on around in Baltimore that weekend. Rooms around the Inner Harbor area can be PRICEY if there's a Ravens game or Orioles Game. 

    Also, the rate available online NOW is not necessarily the rate online when your guests go to book. How long until your wedding? The closer it gets to a date, room rates can go up and they may be factoring that in now. A block guarantees your rate and that x number of rooms will be held. A discount is a perk, but not always the case. 

    Edited for minimal clarity. Does my post make sense?
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  • Chipmunk415Chipmunk415 member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Second Anniversary Name Dropper

    Don't worry sweetart, you're not being bridezilla if you politely ask why the block rate is so high compared to going on the website and not using the block information.

    You would be bridezilla-ish if you went to his office screaming about how much money you're spending on the hotel to use it as a venue, its YOUR DAY, EVERYTHING MUST BE PERFECT, he's trying to screw you over, blah blah blah, whine, whine, complain, ITS ALL ABOUT MEEEEE.

    Contact the coordinator, ask how the rooms at this block rate compare to the room rates available on the website, if there's anything extra included. (With my block, we had the option of price A or price B- price B was higher by $10, but included full breakfast for everyone in the room. If we'd chosen price A, the guests in the rooms would have to pay $10 per person for breakfast. We went with B and stated on our website that the price includes full breakfast). Your profile indicates you're in the Baltimore area. You should have plenty of options for hotels. And re: the extra inclusions, if the only one the coordinator states is "it's convenient for the guests to have everything in one place, that doesn't count- that's the guest's decision to determine if its convenient or if they have other reasons for staying elsewhere that outweigh convenience.

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  • sweetart7799sweetart7799 member
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Comment

    @dramamonkey- Your post makes complete sense! We have 10 months. Plenty of time, I just wanted to have everything narrowed down prior to sending save the dates (wedding website info included on it).

    Thanks so much ladies, I appreciate your feedback!!!

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  • huskypuppy14huskypuppy14 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    I agree with @photokitty, it's not necessarily the price, but the hold of the rooms that is important for a room block. There is no discount at my venue, but there are not that many rooms either, so the hold was the most important part. However, I have never heard of paying more for a room block, usually it's the same or less.
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  • majesty318majesty318 member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer
    Mine are also not at a significant discount because the hotel is offering "free" shuttle service to & from the wedding. The "free" really comes from the room rates.
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  • MoreChocolatePleaseMoreChocolatePlease member
    Second Anniversary 10 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    I'm getting married abroad, but in my case the advantage of the block was that the rooms were being held until a particular date, not any discounts (unfortunately!)  

    I am actually happy my block is expiring in a few days because I found a newly posted discount through the hotel's website that they will honor for individual traveler but not wedding groups. It annoys me to no end that they won't let the group use it, but I'm just alerting people that they will be able to us it in a few days. 
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  • nightstarlitenightstarlite member
    10 Comments Name Dropper 5 Love Its First Anniversary
    I just went through the same thing!  I recently set up a room block and noticed that the guests could get a better deal online.  I asked my room block coordinator and they said the price offered did not reflect current promotions hence why it was higher.  I am getting married in the Las Vegas area so things might be different here.  I am keeping the room block for the convenience of my guests who might not book right away and/or wait till last minute. The room block is held so guests have a set price that does not fluctuate.  I am letting all my guests know that they can find different options online.  I am not held liable for any rooms that aren't filled.  Be sure to check what if anything you are held accountable for in your contract.

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  • andiecainandiecain member
    First Comment
    Room blocks are such a pain. I ran into hotels that did that so chose not to use them but recommend them as non-block options. However, one thing to consider is that as more rooms are booked in a hotel, their rates may increase. If you get a block at a low rate right now, you're locked into that lower rate should rates increase.
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  • Chipmunk415Chipmunk415 member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Second Anniversary Name Dropper

    POD andie. My town also happens to be the state capitol. My wedding falls at the start of the legislative session. Prices for hotels (including the one I have the block at) are now $120 more MINIMUM per night unless its one of the sketchy/disgusting/dangerous hotels...those are only $50 more, and I made it clear in my information about the hotels that the prices would be higher than the block at this particular time of year.

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