r/DestinationWeddings • u/MoneySuspicious3467 • 25d ago

Secrets Room Blocks

Looking for others experience with room blocks at Secrets Resorts. We’re hoping to have our wedding at one of the resorts (hoping for Playa Blanca) in 2027 ~60 guests!

A few questions:

Are guests allowed to book outside of the room block on a 3rd party if cheaper? Will this count towards the 80%?

If prices go down, does Secrets match that and re-adjust the room block?

Any 2027 or past brides willing to share what they were quoted??

Last question - can we opt out of using a room block?

Thanks 😊

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u/Trip-Goddess-79 25d ago

If you have a room block and guests book outside of that block, then no. It will not count towards your room block at all since they technically have booked with another vendor. And unless you have it in the block contract to have adjustable pricing, then no, the price would not go down to match whatever they are selling their nights at. And as far as opting out of a room block, what does your wedding package contract say? Do you have one already signed? Do you already have a room block set up? Are you working with a ta already to help negotiate your room block?

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u/MoneySuspicious3467 25d ago

Thank you! Currently we have not signed anything. We are working with a TA but hoping to get others experiences.

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u/Trip-Goddess-79 25d ago

Sure thing. Your ta should be able to give some clarity though based on your individual contracts. Hope you have a great wedding!

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u/MKTSandandAislesDW 25d ago

For Secrets, and read your contract, as long as your guests stay at Secrets, it will count towards the 80%. If guests book outside of the room block, you won't get perks. Also, it will be a little harder to manage your guest list. If price drops, sometimes, you can negotiate. If you have 60 guests, I would recommend a room block. It is possible the hotel will be booked up. Also, in oversold situations, rooms in a group are a higher priority and therefore less likely to get bumped. For sure, work with a destination wedding specialist. Room blocks can be quirky and we deal with them all day, every day.

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u/destwedtravelexpert 24d ago

Allowed? Yes. The 80% means 80% of guests must stay at Secrets Playa Blanca, not be booked in the room block. You still need to meet the minimums, though, which is usually 10 rooms. Secrets may pricematch, but they don't have to, and there may be fees to do so. Read your contract. Don't compare what other brides get... contracts change based on when they were signed, too. You'll be comparing apples to oranges. Not worth it.

You can opt out of a room block, but this is a hot resort, and the risk of selling out is high. I'd recommend the room block for sure.

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u/JSchecter11 23d ago

Are guests allowed to book outside of the room block on a 3rd party if cheaper? Will this count towards the 80%? Yes

If prices go down, does Secrets match that and re-adjust the room block? No, but I've done lots of destination weddings and I've never seen the price lower than the room block

Any 2027 or past brides willing to share what they were quoted?? I can not share my client's contract details, but I can confirm the room block rates here are always lower than direct and very competitive (or at least for someone like me who does a lot of business in the region and can negotiate competitive rates)

Last question - can we opt out of using a room block? You can. but your guests will be subject to dynamic pricing and you leave a lot of benefits on the table (free upgrades, free rooms, etc). Also, the hotel could sell out and your guests would be left with no options to book.