Wedding invitation for July 09-Hotel looking for accommodation costs upfront

suitseir

A cousin of mine is getting married this summer and I know I am on the wedding invitation list.

I rang the hotel where the wedding is being held, to book the accommodation. I requested two rooms and was told that it is the policy of the hotel to charge the full cost at time of booking - no refund(in the event of cancellation or any other unforseen circumstance). I was taken aback as I was under the ILLUSION that they would be just looking for a deposit at this stage? Anyway, just want to know if this is common practice? The total cost would be in this case, is €700-00! I don't think I could afford to lose this amount of money in the event of a cancellation!!! and as it is quite a few months away, any situation could arise..........even for the HOTEL in this day and credit crunch age!!!!

Any comments appreciated.................

I am not adverse to booking a B&B instead:eek:

dohda

Ridiculous! These days they should be happy that you are contimplating staying with them rather than a B&B at those prices.

Ring back, ask for a manager and politely tell them that you very much wish to stay in the hotel for the wedding but unless they take a deposit, or send you in writing that they will allow cancellation of the booking up to 3 days in advance (I think thats the std for hotels here), that you will be forced to stay in a b&b and they will have no chance of getting your hard earned 700 bucks.

ecaf

Did you try looking them up on line and see if you can book them there instead.
Most hotels if you book online just charge a deposit. I'd imagine they are charging full cost because it is a wedding and in case it was cancelled with 20 / 30 rooms booked and nothing else to fill them!

Our wedding is in June and I have yet to ask them, but I will be booking the rooms for the families - 20 are already in my name at a discounted price.

For other family weddings recently this was also the case, and they just put the names to the rooms, when we were checking in we paid in full individually (each couple) or gave the credit card number.

Try online line or else try what the previous poster suggested and speak with the manager. It's madness being expected to pay fully with no refund.

suitseir

I did check online. It has nothing to do with weddings. It is a condition for any bookings.

In any case, I have decided to go with a local B&B minutes walk from the hotel and it is costing €70-00 per room per couple. State of the art as well!

I wouldn't be bothered with booking the hotel now tbh. What if it went belly up for the hotel? I asked of them........same answer.....you lose your deposit.

ecaf wrote: »

Did you try looking them up on line and see if you can book them there instead.
Most hotels if you book online just charge a deposit. I'd imagine they are charging full cost because it is a wedding and in case it was cancelled with 20 / 30 rooms booked and nothing else to fill them!

Our wedding is in June and I have yet to ask them, but I will be booking the rooms for the families - 20 are already in my name at a discounted price.

For other family weddings recently this was also the case, and they just put the names to the rooms, when we were checking in we paid in full individually (each couple) or gave the credit card number.

Try online line or else try what the previous poster suggested and speak with the manager. It's madness being expected to pay fully with no refund.

ecaf

Well hopefully more people will do what your doing and the hotel might have to re think their policies.
At least your saving yourself 90% of the original cost!