I recommend setting up room blocks in Newport, as hotels in the area get booked up pretty quickly around Summer time.
We inquired with 6 hotels in the area. We went with Best Western for the proximity to venue and prices; and Howard Johnson Middletown for their better reviews and prices. Click here to download the list of questions I compiled to ask when inquiring about room blocks.
Below are the info I gathered for each of the hotels we inquired about for our May 22, 2010 wedding (Howard Johnson Middletown, Best Western Mainstay Inn Newport, Hyatt Regency Newport, Newport Beach Hotel and Suites, Holiday Inn Express Middletown, and Marriott Newport):
Howard Johnson, Middletown RI
- How many rooms can we block at a time?
10 - Is it possible to add more in the future if we need more?
Yes, based on availability - What is your policy with rooms in our room block that don’t get booked?
The unbooked rooms get released 7 weeks before the first check-in date - Do we have to pay for the rooms if they don’t get booked?
No - Is there a deadline to book in our room block? When will the rooms be released from our block?
7 weeks before the first check-in date - Do you offer discounts?
Yes, 15% off the rack rate - How much is the rate?
$186.15 (standard), $203.15 (deluxe) - How do guests book rooms in our room block? Can it be done online?
Rooms in blocks cannot be booked online, guests will have to call - Can our guests book special rates (e.g. AAA, government/military, senior)?
No - Is there a minimum number of nights required to book?
No - Do you distribute welcome bags to guests? If so, is there a fee for this service?
Yes, at no additional cost - Is there a fee to set up a room block?
Yes, but it was waived
Best Western Mainstay Inn, Newport RI
- How many rooms can we block at a time?
20 - Is it possible to add more in the future if we need more?
Yes, based on availability - What is your policy with rooms in our room block that don’t get booked?
The unbooked rooms get released 6 weeks before the first check-in date - Do we have to pay for the rooms if they don’t get booked?
No - Is there a deadline to book in our room block? When will the rooms be released from our block?
6 weeks before the event - Do you offer discounts?
No, but guests can use special rates such as AAA - How much is the rate?
Rack rate ($159.99) - How do guests book rooms in our room block? Can it be done online?
Rooms in blocks cannot be booked online, guests will have to call - Can our guests book special rates (e.g. AAA, government/military, senior)?
Yes - Is there a minimum number of nights required to book?
2 nights for Saturday weddings - Do you distribute welcome bags to guests? If so, is there a fee for this service?
Yes, at no additional cost - Is there a fee to set up a room block?
Yes, non-refundable $50
Hyatt Regency, Newport RI
- How many rooms can we block at a time?
10-15 - Is it possible to add more in the future if we need more?
Yes, based on availability - What is your policy with rooms in our room block that don’t get booked?
The unbooked rooms get released 1 month before the event - Do we have to pay for the rooms if they don’t get booked?
No - Is there a deadline to book in our room block? When will the rooms be released from our block?
1 month before the event - Do you offer discounts?
Yes - How much is the rate?
Mid $200s - How do guests book rooms in our room block? Can it be done online?|
They can book online or by calling - Can our guests book special rates (e.g. AAA, government/military, senior)?
No - Is there a minimum number of nights required to book?
2 nights for Saturday stays + food and beverage minimum for 30 people - Do you distribute welcome bags to guests? If so, is there a fee for this service?
Yes, $3/bag - Is there a fee to set up a room block?
No
Newport Beach Hotel and Suites, Middletown RI
- How many rooms can we block at a time?
10 (5 in the Historic building and 5 in the new addition) - Is it possible to add more in the future if we need more?
Yes, based on availability - What is your policy with rooms in our room block that don’t get booked?
The unbooked rooms get released 30 days before the event - Do we have to pay for the rooms if they don’t get booked?
No - Is there a deadline to book in our room block? When will the rooms be released from our block?
30 days before the event - Do you offer discounts?
It is possible, but not guaranteed with rooms in the Historic building only - How much is the rate?
Rack rate - How do guests book rooms in our room block? Can it be done online?
Rooms in blocks cannot be booked online, guests will have to call - Can our guests book special rates (e.g. AAA, government/military, senior)?
No - Is there a minimum number of nights required to book?
2 nights in the Historic building, 3 nights in the new addition - Do you distribute welcome bags to guests? If so, is there a fee for this service?
Yes, at no additional cost - Is there a fee to set up a room block?
No
Holiday Inn Express, Middletown RI
- How many rooms can we block at a time?
10 - Is it possible to add more in the future if we need more?
Yes, based on availability - What is your policy with rooms in our room block that don’t get booked?
The unbooked rooms get released 30 days before the event - Do we have to pay for the rooms if they don’t get booked?
No - Is there a deadline to book in our room block? When will the rooms be released from our block?
30 days before the event - Do you offer discounts?
Yes - How much is the rate?
$179 - How do guests book rooms in our room block? Can it be done online?
Rooms in blocks cannot be booked online, guests will have to call - Can our guests book special rates (e.g. AAA, government/military, senior)?
Yes, but cannot be combined with other offers including the discounted room block rate ($179) - Is there a minimum number of nights required to book?
2 nights for Saturday stays - Do you distribute welcome bags to guests? If so, is there a fee for this service?
Yes, at no additional cost - Is there a fee to set up a room block?
No
Marriott Newport, Newport RI
- How many rooms can we block at a time?
10 minimum, 20 maximum - Is it possible to add more in the future if we need more?
Yes, based on availability - What is your policy with rooms in our room block that don’t get booked?
The unbooked rooms get released 21 days before the event. However, couple is responsible for all rooms if couple cancels the room block altogether. - Do we have to pay for the rooms if they don’t get booked?
No - Is there a deadline to book in our room block? When will the rooms be released from our block?
21 days before the first check-in date - Do you offer discounts?
Yes - How much is the rate?
$225 - How do guests book rooms in our room block? Can it be done online?
Guests can book online and call - Can our guests book special rates (e.g. AAA, government/military, senior)?
Yes, but cannot be combined with other offers including the discounted room block rate - Is there a minimum number of nights required to book?
2 nights - Do you distribute welcome bags to guests? If so, is there a fee for this service?
Yes, free when left at the front desk, $3.50/bag for personalized bag left in rooms, $2.50/bag for non-personalized bag left in rooms - Is there a fee to set up a room block?
No
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