Finding great rooms for an affordable price is an essential part of the wedding planning process. Most likely, at least a third of all of your invited guests are going to be driving or flying in from other places. Thus, it's important that you cater to their needs and make the entire process pleasant and convenient. There's already enough stress on out-of-town friends and relatives who need to work out all of the other kinks – things like the babysitter, flights, time off work, so forth and so on. The last thing they need to worry about is getting a hotel room.

The price for hotel rooms vary – depending primarily on time of year, location, and holidays.

Additionally, most hotels will offer you a group discount for blocked-off rooms. A simple phone call and little foresight could end up saving your wedding guests a couple hundred dollars! But act quickly; hotels rooms, especially those in popular vacation spots, will get booked very fast. If you're planning a destination wedding, reserving rooms for the party is of utmost importance.

The most essential factor to keep in mind when looking for Phoenix hotels, is location.

The hotel should be in close proximity to an airport, and if possible – just as close to the reception and ceremony venues. It would be highly inconvenient for all of your wedding guests to have to hail down taxis just to get around. Having said that, don't try to plan your entire wedding around the hotel location; if you want to get married on a mountain, then go for it. Just make sure that you at least rent a shuttle bus that can transport the guests to and from the hotel to the wedding.

If you want to go the extra mile for your out-of-town guests, arrange to have small packages or baskets left on the hotel beds.

Inside, you could put in a map of the town, an itinerary of the weekend activities, and a few fun gifts such as chocolates and magazines. Attach a handwritten rehearsal dinner invitation for all of those that you wish to invite. After hours of traveling on the road, or going through airport security, they'll need a pleasant diversion to get them in the right state of mind.

Be considerate when selecting a hotel. When checking out the premises, ask yourself – Would I want to stay here? If you find it satisfactory, chances are they will too. Select a moderately-priced hotel as well as a 5-star establishment; this way your guests have a choice between two different places.


Phoenix Hotels
Doubletree Hotel (602-225-0500; www.doubletree1.hilton.com)
This is an award-winning hotel in more than one way! If you want to relax in style, there is no better place. All of the guest suites have been newly renovated and now come standard with a microwave, refrigerator, dual television, wetbar, and a separate bedroom. The hotel is only 10 minutes away from the U.S. Airways Center, and a few minutes away from the Sky Harbor Airport. Plus, their rates can't be beat. For more information, or to book a room, call them at the number listed above, or else visit their site.

Camelback Inn (480-948-1700; www.camelbackinn.com)
If you're looking for the ultimate luxury experience, there is no better place than Camelback Inn. In addition to exquisitely decked-out rooms, they offer casitas separate from the rest of the hotel, and even an epicurean manor which they only rent out during certain times of the year. Each room, suite, and mini-house comes complete with high ceilings, and fantastically rich décor. The Manor House has it's own private pool separate from the rest of the hotel. There are also plenty of up-scale restaurants to choose from right on the Camelback premises. If you want to have an unforgettable weekend getaway, there is no better place. Call today to make your reservations.

Clarendon Hotel (602-252-7363; www.goclarendon.com)
This hotel needs no introduction. Just upon looking at their state-of-the-art pool you can tell that this hotel is going to above and beyond your wildest dreams. The atmosphere is rich with contemporary style and colors, and was voted best “midtown hotel” by 944 magazine. The rooms have a distinction of their own, each fabulously embellished with vibrant modern art pieces and faux walls. The standard rooms come with over 80 free channels, a well-stocked bar, and complimentary internet access. Call today and check their current hotel room deals.