How to be an accommodating host

Where will your guests stay?

Having your friends and family all together is one of the best things about getting married. But remember that any out of town guests will need to find somewhere to stay during the wedding. If you are planning to ask people to board planes, trains and automobiles in order to attend your celebration, it’s not a bad idea to provide a varied list of possible places that you would recommend. Once you start digging you will probably find a number of wee gems, even if you've never noticed them before. What's really helpful is that your local accommodation choices are expanding all the time.
Remember that for some people price will be key, whereas others will look for specific facilities (such as a gym and swimming pool) so it really is important to offer a wide selection. But once you have done a little bit of early preparation, don’t get dragged into organising bookings and reservations – you have more than enough on your plate already! Whatever you suggest make sure there is something to suit all budgets. So what are the options?

Bed and breakfasts: B&Bs are becoming more varied in décor and design, and you might be surprised by the amount of contemporary and stylish ones on offer. Unlike hotels with star ratings, B&B accreditations are not as widely understood as benchmarks, though the personal service you receive is probably as important as any facilities. A bit of research at your local tourist information office or website is sure to provide a good selection of quality venues, some even offer nice little extras like a dram of whisky on arrival!

Hotels: As you have no doubt noticed, these range from the boutique hotel to the large chains that pop up in most major cities, which themselves can vary considerably in price and style. You may want to consider distance from and to the wedding venue (and your own home, or wherever you're staying) when compiling your list of hotels. Remember that chains such as Travel Lodges, Premier Inns and Holiday Inns can offer very reasonable rates, and that any guests who leave their arrangements very late may be able to get a great deal from websites such as www.lastminute.com or www.laterooms.com.

Serviced accommodation: Make your guests feel at home away from home, by making some suggestions that fall into this flexible category. With your own apartment-style suite – usually including lounge areas, bedrooms, a kitchen and bathroom – this type of accommodation is great for groups or families who need or want to stay close to each other. In a way they offer the best of both worlds, with rooms that are generally decorated to hotel standards (with all the mod cons) and serviced by visiting staff, yet they have the same self-catering set-up and home comforts as a private residence.

Browse accomodation here...

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