Contract With Hotel Question?

Hey All-

I`m getting ready to sign a contract with a hotel for the ceremony and reception. One thing struck in the contract. The hotel can cancel at any time, without cause. They list dollar amounts we`d be given if they canceled 6 months out, 1-6 months and less than a month.

I was wondering if this is standard? I can see a clause for "act of nature" or something, but to be able to cancel on us without cause. I worry about getting bumped for a big more profitable party less than a month from the date. Am I just worrying too much?

Thanks!
Posted by John; updated 11/03/03

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My contract was at a big name hotel and I did not have any clause such as that. I would ask them to take it out or else I would look elsewhere.
Posted by Dana; updated 11/03/03

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I see absolutely no reason why any place of business can cancel a contract without providing the payee a full refund. Clearly if the hotel chooses to cancel, regardless of when, the persons should and is entitled to a FULL REFUND!!!! I have worked with many reputable hotels and that stipulation has never appeared in any of my contracts, and if it would have I would have brought it their attention, gotten clarity and then rectified the contract.

If I were you I would not sign that contract, because the chances of that happening may seem slim now, but it certainly can turn into a reality in the future. Unless you already have signed the contract…HAVE YOU??????
Posted by Denise; updated 11/03/03

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That`s for the advice. I think you are saying what I already knew; I just needed another voice to tell me I wasn`t being too crazy!

Nope, I haven`t signed anything yet. If they canceled at any point on us we would get our full deposit back. The closer to the date the cancel the more money they would give us. But still, what good is $3,200 15 days before my wedding with no venue and all out of town guys?

I would like to have it addressed. This is a major chain hotel so hopefully we won`t have trouble getting a change made.

Thanks again for the replies. I`lll let you know what happens.

For reference, this is the exact verbage of the section:

"Either the Hotel or Group may cancel this contract without cause at any time prior to the event by paying to the other party liquidated damages (agreed no to constitute a penalty) based on the following scale..."
Posted by John; updated 11/03/03

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A friend who recently got married had a bit of a problem with this sort of thing. While she did sign a contract and give a deposit, the hotel decided that in the interest of making more money, they would cancel her wedding reception to get a bigger one. They returned her deposit, but left her without a venue two months before her wedding.

There`s some bad stuff that can happen out there!

KD
Posted by Kimberly; updated 11/03/03