An overlap of legislation, graduation and a rush of early booking has left Tallahassee hotels booked and some students scrambling to find a place for their families to stay.
The Doubletree Hotel, located at 101 S. Adams St., is booked solid due to its close proximity to the Capitol. Senators have booked rooms at the hotel through May 5.
Diana Ingram, an employee at Comfort Suites, located at 1026 Apalachee Parkway, said there are only two vacancies left at the hotel with most of the rooms booked for graduation visitors.
Baymont Inn and Suites Hotel, located at 3210 N. Monroe St., worked to ensure there were rooms for graduation visitors and senators alike, but the availabilities are slimming down.
“At the rate that people are calling, they’ll probably be sold out by the weekend,” said Cedric Zackery, a customer service employee at Baymont Inn. “We get a lot of last-minute calls.”
Nick Vergara works the guest services at Residence Inn, located at 600 W. Gaines St. Vergara said hotel rates for graduation weekend can be pricey, causing many guests to shop around. During that time, rooms get reserved and prices go up as the date nears.
“Graduation gets booked way in advance,” Vergara said.
He also said that senators are more likely to book tickets online or book last-minute. The hotel is a mile away from the Capitol. He said even without legislative meetings, Residence Inn would still be booked.
Aloft Hotel, located at 200 N. Monroe St., allows for rooms to be booked six weeks in advance with a deposit. Guest services employees at Aloft are also trying to deal with the overlap of graduation and session.
It’s very common for Governors Inn, located near the universities at 209 S. Adams St., to be booked during graduation, according to Kelsey Montes, a manager at Governors Inn. She said many guests book early, although some walk in and make reservations.
“We have a mix of both crowds,” Montes said.