<p>I just called Hotel ZaZa to see about reserving rooms for graduation in May. The person I spoke with said they have no availability, but then she also said to call back in December. I'm not sure if I am way behind on this (has every parent out there already reserved hotel rooms for graduation) or if am I way too early. When do most people start thinking about hotel reservations for graduation weekend? We've never had trouble reserving rooms for parents weekend, drop off and pick up, etc. So I really wasn't expecting any difficulties with graduation weekend.</p>
<p>I would like to know also. We have Juniors this year. Based on what you experienced, we might need to reserve rooms soon.</p>
<p>Probably cant hurt to snap something up as soon as possible. The ZaZa is not a huge hotel, and can easily sell out. </p>
<p>Nice place though!</p>
<p>Not Rice, but we booked for D1’s graduation literally the first day we could (364 days before we wanted the rooms). But we did book more rooms than we ended up needing (her dad, my ex-H, decided not to attend after all). So we ended up cancelling one of the rooms I had booked. So… cancellations do occur. But the early bird gets the hotel rooms in general for graduation weekends.</p>
<p>My son graduated this last May from Rice and we booked rooms at the Marriott Medical center last November. I had tried to book the Hilton right across from the school at that time but they were already full. Rice does give special rates for graduation at the Hilton and a couple others but I was never able to find available rooms. So we just kept the Marriott reservations. You should book as soon as you can.</p>
<p>Based on everyone’s recommendations, I went ahead and booked a 2-bedroom suite at the Wyndham. At this point, I don’t know who all will even attend graduation, but the suite will sleep 6-8 if need be (although if we actually try to stuff 8 people in there, I think I will sleep in my daughter’s dorm room instead). Depending on who wants to attend, I may try to call ZaZa and get rooms there instead. Another question - is it typically just parents who attend? Given all the out of state, and out of country, students, I’m guessing that many families don’t bring the entire extended family to graduation. My daughter would prefer that just my husband and I and her brother attend, but I’m wondering how well that will go over with the grandparents. What do most people do?</p>
<p>It entirely depends on the family. My parents, sister, aunt, cousin, cousins husband and their 9 month old were there - they flew in for it. When my then gf graduated, she had 20 odd people there (lot of family in the city). Another friend only had his mom there.</p>
<p>In many ways, graduation is more about the family than the graduate themselves. It is the moment for parents to see the results of their years of effort. I didn’t really want anyone to show up (graduating is the minimum expectation, so wasn’t really going to celebrate) but the family didn’t see it that way. </p>
<p>Not sure if this helped at all 
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