Negotiating with Hotels

radharc

We've just started looking at potential venues for our 2011 wedding and tbh we're a bit taken aback by the prices. The question is how much we can expect the hotel to come down from their first quotation?

For example we're being quoted €66pp for one place, could we expect a reduction in the price if we negotiate or will they just throw in plenty of extra stuff like chair covers and bar extension but keep the overall price per head?

kizzabel

Talbot Hotel in Carlow is €29 pp with loads of complimentary extras....

i would get all the brochures posted out, going thru them, shortlist 3 or 4, see who does the best deal, visit them all, compare them and if your favourite isnt the best value id go back to them and say one of two things

1 > we will put down a deposit today if you include x, y and z aswel... i.e corkage, chair covers, bar extention

or

2 > we will put down a deposit today if you can bring your price more inline with a price we got from another hotel which is €xxxx

worth a try, my friend, an events manager in a 5star hotel was just saying how over a barrel hotels are at the minute with the down turn. she encounters alot more negotiating and trys to accomodate as much as viable

dollybird2

Be upfront and tell them that you have no intention of dealing with them at those prices and you have better quotes from others so goodbye. They'll either negotiate and meet your expectations somewhat and if they don't hasta la vista baby.
There's loads of hotels in this current economy that are desperate for business. Make sure that whatever package you get it includes chair covers, drinks reception, evening food, discounted meals for children, centrepieces/flowers for tables

We found that there is loads of room for manouvere with the cost of evening food, corkage for wines and the charge for a choice of dishes in the menu particularly.
Best of luck!