#SMPWedding101 - Reserving a Hotel Room Block
Reserving hotel room blocks for our guests was one of the most frustrating tasks of wedding planning. From negotiating rates to reviewing confusing contracts, it was overwhelming. Oh, how I wish I had known about Skipper (formally Jetaport)! This streamlined (and FREE) solution to quickly and easily book room blocks takes care of sourcing the best rates - and today, they're sharing their secrets for conquering this dreaded task. Read on and if you're like me and ready to hand this job off, Skipper is just a click away!
Tip 1:
Don’t wait! Book a room block as soon as you’ve picked a wedding date and venue for a higher chance of availability and lower rates.
Tip 2:
Choose a wedding date outside of major events and holidays to keep hotel rates lower and to ensure guests are able to attend. Also, shoulder season (between peak and off-season of a destination) gives you the benefit of attractive hotel deals and the town to yourself!
Tip 3:
To estimate the number of hotel rooms needed, take the total number of out-of-town guests and divide that number by two. If you have a large number of out-of-town guests, choose hotels at different price points and room categories to provide more options.
Tip 4:
Convenience is key! If you can’t get a hotel walking distance from the venue, choose hotels close to the wedding and see if the hotel can offer you a complimentary shuttle.
Tip 5:
Try reserving a courtesy room block over a guaranteed room block to avoid any financial penalties for unused rooms - generally limited to 10-20 rooms. If you need more than that, then it’s best to select multiple hotels for your guests.
Tip 6:
Make sure to communicate booking details to your guests early and clearly. Most hotels require a cutoff date meaning that the hold on the rooms is “lifted” and rooms are added back into inventory. Cutoff dates are usually 30 days prior to arrival.
Tip 7:
Ask Skipper's Travel Advisors any questions along the way. They are there to make sure all of your needs are met in the group booking process.
Tip 8:
Hotels often offer perks for more rooms booked. These perks can include a room upgrade, a complimentary suite or a special amenity.
Tip 9:
Be sure to sign your e-contract as soon as you can to lock down those room block rates. Don’t forget to share your hotel room block information with guests!
Tip 10:
If you use Skipper, avoid reaching out to hotels on your own. It adds confusion to the hotel sales managers who are already working with Skipper and ultimately slows down the process.
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