Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I called to check on prices and information about blocking hotel rooms for my guests and this one place wants us to put down a 50% per room deposit to block off the rooms and if the rooms aren't booked we lose the deposit. That's close to 1000.00 in deposits alone!

Is this normal?

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I didn't put down one penny to block rooms. But if we don't fill the minimum amount, we will have to pay for those room(s), altho I don't think (hope) that won't happen! Check around elsewhere.

edited to say: we're booked at the JFK Sheraton.

Message edited 5/29/2003 12:28:03 AM.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I reserved a block at Danford's and we didn't have to put down any kind of deposit. They hold 10 rooms. If the rooms don't book we dont have to pay anything either. The rooms just have to be reserved by a certain date (1 month prior to wedding date).
Putting a deposit down like that sounds like a rip off to me!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I reserved 10 rooms at the Huntington Hilton. No deposit required and I will not be responsible for any rooms that aren't picked up.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

we were able to hold ten rooms without a deposit, as those filled up, they'd hold 10 more. Up to one month before the wedding.

We didn't have to lay out $.01

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I was able to block rooms with no money, too.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I'm using the Marriot in Islandia & didn't have put down a penny. I am not responsible for any unbooked rooms either!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

WOW!! I didn't have to leave any deposit and I am not going to be charged anything if they are not booked. I blocked off 30 rooms at the Huntington Hilton and the guests have until a month before to book at the rate I got. A month before my wedding they unblock any excess unused rooms and I am not getting charged at all. They are even giving us the HoneyMoon sweet for half price. What hotel wants a 50% deposit? If you don't mind me asking.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

i never heard of a hotel that wanted a deposit from the couple. that doesn't make sense - are your guests going to pay you?? how does the hotel reimburse you for the deposit??

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I didn't have to put down any deposit on the rooms I blocked, however I think it could depend on the area where you're blocking the rooms. My friend got married last year in the Hamptons and she had to put down a deposit on the rooms she booked. I would look around to see if there are any other hotels who do not require a deposit.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I booked at the Islandia Marriot as well. They took a credit card only to the hold the suite for our weddding night, but otherwise no money down...Where fdid you book again?

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

Blocked rooms at the Radisson and we didn't put a thing down and we are not responsible for them. The only catch is they will only hold them until a month before the wedding!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

No deposit here either

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

Another satisfied customer of the Huntington Hilton that put down no money, and didn't owe if rooms weren't booked. As others said, they stopped holding the extras a month before.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

same as swags

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I blocked off rooms at the Rockville Centre Holiday Inn. I didn't have to put $$ down and I am not liable if they are not all filled.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

We blocked rooms at the Best Western in Riverhead, no money and ten rooms. No credit card number either. I would argue with the hotel, unless it is a busy time, then they may be doing it to truly hold the rooms. Edited to say, wait a minute, you are getting married in January. That is definitely not a busy time, you should in no way be paying a deposit. I am guessing that you are booking the East Wind Inn, try the Best Western, not the "most beautiful" place but less expensive, no deposit, etc.

Message edited 5/28/2003 10:52:55 PM.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I blocked rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott and didn't have leave any money. I am not held responsible for any money if rooms don't get booked.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

We blocked at Harrison House and at the Howard Johnson, to give guests 2 price options, and didn't have to put anything down, plus...if the rooms aren't booked we're not responsible for them. I wouldn't put money down if it were me.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I haven't blocked rooms yet, but I have checked out several hotels and they all told me they would hold my block of rooms at the group rate with no deposit and if the minimun is not met by one month before my wedding they would release the rooms - with no charge to me.

Only one hotel wanted me to put my credit card down, but that was because the group rate was higher than the internet rate so if I wanted to block at the internet rate I needed to put the card down and be liable if the rooms aren't filled.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

When we blocked rooms we did not have to put down any deposit at all, and we blocked for a holiday weekend.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

No, that is not normal. I blocked off 3 different hotels and did not put any money down. I would say find another hotel!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

i don't think that is normal. I'm holding 40 rooms and didn't need to put a deposit on anything. The extra rooms get released one month prior. I had looked into 4 different hotels before we decided and none of them wanted deposits.

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

I blocked rooms at the Wingate Inn in Garden City..no deposit and they just release the unused portion of the block a month before wedding. I am not responsible to pay anything either.

If I were you I would check into other hotels!!

Re: Is a 50% deposit per room the standard for blocking hotel rooms

No, is not the "norm" but as someone else said, it depends on the area. Every hotel room I booked for my wedding in the Hamptons had to either be paid for upfront or 50% deposit in order to hold longer than 30 days. This is also because you are not dealing with large hotels but mostly inns and B&Bs. Luckily most of the rooms are already gone...where are you trying to block rooms?