Here’s Why Hotel Banquets Are Better Than Going to a Restaurant

Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, family reunion, youth sports get-together or retirement party, there’s sure to be food involved. People often turn to restaurants for group gatherings, but as a member of a large party, how many times have you waited a long time just to be seated, waited even longer for your food, felt rushed by the waitstaff, or been unable to catch up with everyone because of a lack of space?

Next time, instead of crossing your fingers and making that group reservation, consider using hotel event rooms to host your gathering. “I recommend a hotel for any group of 20 or more,” says Steve Norment, director of sales, Comfort Inn Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia. “Hotels employ a staff trained for group meal functions who ensure everything runs smoothly for everyone to have a great time, from planning stages to cleanup.”The advantages of using hotel event rooms to host a group function go beyond professionally trained catering and waitstaff. Here are seven reasons why it’s easier—and ultimately more fun—to go the hotel route.

Easy planning

You’ll be assigned a meeting planner when you book hotel event rooms for your gathering. This person helps create the event timeline and coordinates among the different parties needed for your event, including catering and banquet staff.

Everything in one place

Hotel event space can be arranged to accommodate a variety of parties and celebrations. Photo courtesy of the Inn at Henderson's Wharf, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member in Baltimore, MD.

“The benefit of working with a hotel for an event is they typically have the tables, linens, catering and even audiovisual equipment, which saves you from having to work with multiple vendors,” says Vanessa Svensson, owner of Two Friends’ Events, based in Macon, Georgia.

More privacy and personalized attention

At a restaurant, your waitstaff is also responsible for other tables. But at a hotel, you’ll get a dedicated staff for your party. From your private hotel event rooms, you won’t have to worry about other diners, and you won’t be rushed out to make the tables available for another group. Instead, you get the time and space you need to fully enjoy your event.

Greater flexibility

Hotels offer the convenience of rooms that can be used for meetings, luncheons and other get-togethers. Photo courtesy of the Comfort Suites Highlands Ranch Denver Tech Center Area in Highlands Ranch, CO.

Want to host a casual get-together where your guests are free to roam about? Or are you looking for a more formal, sit-down meal? Rather than having to shop around for the ideal venue that provides just the right menu and atmosphere, use hotel event rooms, where a meeting planner can cater to almost anything you dream up.

Space to stay

Hotels are obviously a great choice for events when you have overnight guests, but don’t let a lack of out-of-town invites deter you from choosing hotel event rooms for a group function. “Use of the facilities is completely open to the public, and you do not have to reserve guest rooms to reserve the meeting space,” Norment says.

Endless food options

Whether it’s tacos, potatoes, sundaes or candy, people love being able to choose what they want to eat and how much they want on their plate—especially the kids! Hotels can generally accommodate a wide variety of food options, and hotel event rooms give you the space to have stations or make-your-own bars, which double as opportunities for party-goers to mingle.

Splashing allowed

If your group is staying at the hotel, take advantage of its other facilities to make your event memorable. Invite guests to come enjoy a menu as simple as pizza and sodas before heading off to swim in the pool. Hotels with indoor pools are a perfect year-round option for birthday parties or youth sports gatherings.