Friday, April 30, 2010

How to Book a Great Hotel for Your Destination Wedding

Trying to figure out how to book a great hotel for your destination wedding might be the part that feels like drudgery to you, but someone has to do it.

So, if you want your hotel plans for your destination wedding to be right, it's best that you take matters into your own hands.

I don't know about you, but when something is really important to me and it gets screwed up, I'd rather it be my fault. That way, I have no one to blame but myself. I'm sure you get my gist.

Here's what you need to know...

When you're shopping for a great destination wedding hotel, look beyond what everyone else might be saying (otherwise known as "the hype"), and check things our for yourself. In other words, don't believe it. Unfortunately, you can end up paying through the nose for what you think will be first-class accommodations with additional wonderful accoutrement, only to find out the hard way that the hotel room walls are too thin, the ceilings are too low, and the mattress on the bed isn't comfortable.

Do you like the hotel's location?

Naturally, you'll want to book your stay at a hotel that suits the desires of your destination wedding perfectly. Is it necessary for you and your wedding party to have rooms right at the edge of the beach or for you to have the dining choices and nightclubs located just steps away from the rooms for your grandparents?

An example of this is, if you want to go to the theatre in London, find accommodations in the West End. Otherwise, you'll spend a substantial amount of your evening thinking, "This could is like a sightseeing trip.", because you've taken such a long ride across town to get there.

Be cautious

Everyone knows that everyone opinions are relative. But, you know that sometimes word-of-mouth recommendations can be really helpful. Ask for your friends and family's advice, browse online, and read magazines to get good hotel and travel information.

Here's something else that's important. When you look at the hotel's website, sit there and really look at it. Then, ask yourself this question: What's missing? If you don't see any pictures of the beach, but it's being sold as a beach hotel - something is definitely wrong. And here's another thing... If you've made plans to stay at a brand new hotel, keep in mind that because it's new, they're probably working their staffing kinks out. In situations like this they usually offer good discounts, so you might want to consider it.

50% Off Photo Books! Limited Time Offer!

Book online

You can often find a better rate if you reserve your hotel stay online. But be careful. A third party website, such as hotels.com, might have sold your room to the hotel where you wish to stay, which means that your hotel might not be obligated to give you the room that you requested. And, you know that just won't do. Especially, when it's not only where you plan to get married, but it's also your honeymoon destination too. Something else to keep in mind is that every hotel has different definitions for terms like "deluxe" and "superior", so contact them directly for their specific meanings.

Check out the details

Always call the hotel yourself to reconfirm the room that you booked, whether you booked online, over the phone, or with the help of your travel agent. Be sure to ask what they're including in the rate (parking, breakfast, access to the health club, or discounts on spa treatments like a masseuse) and confirm that the pool or rooftop bar or whatever else is important to you will be open during your stay.

Be sure to let them know about your special requests: Do they have an iPod dock they could place in your room? Does your spouse-to-be prefer and want down pillows? Luxury hotels will do their best to accommodate you. And, if you're kind to them they will think of you as a real person and not just another number.