Originally Posted by
some dude
When you are trying to book using "local offices", how do you do this? Generally, if you call a hotel's phone number, there is an automated system ... If you select the option for reservations, it bounces you to the SPG call center.
Of course you can to be transferred back to front desk, but it makes it seem that they don't actually want to do what you are suggesting.
What I meant was using someone local to the property in question and when they call to talk with someone in the local (but may not be onsite) sales office. Many times when you call a property and ask for "reservations" they will dump you over to central reservations that really don't have the ability to arrange group bookings. But the sales office does. The front desk is not the place to discuss room bookings, meeting/conference arrangements and the such.
I was fortunate to have local offices of our company that build relationships with properties near them and they would use these contacts to secure what was needed.