TOPIC: Hotel in 2012

After many years at the Marriott, we're switching to the Westin this year. It seems like it will be closer to TD and everything else I'm interested in at GenCon. Anyone have any tips or recommendations?

I tried to talk my group into going to a downtown hotel this year. After shopping around, we found a Days Inn for $39. a night. Compared to 190+ a night, they decided that was the route (again). Oh well.

Bring enough money to eat at Shula's.

And don't forget the lava cake.

darkangel866 wrote: I tried to talk my group into going to a downtown hotel this year. After shopping around, we found a Days Inn for $39. a night. Compared to 190+ a night, they decided that was the route (again). Oh well.

Personally I think the convenience of staying downtown and not having to worry about transportation costs and times far outweighs the additional cost.

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As for the Westin, it was fine last year. Decent bed, acceptable easy chair, desk, good TV, good bathroom.

Best point was there was a small safe in the room, big enough for my PSP, netbook, and URs I wasn't using.

Absolutely agree, Xavon, it's worth it to stay downtown. You must have had a king room (vs. 2 queens) last year? I didn't think they had an easy chair in the latter. And no fridge, right, unless you requested one? Good tip about the safe - I'll have to remember to put my URs in there.

The elevators - slow and crowded? If so, I'll see if I can get a low floor, and take the stairs whenever possible. Is there a stair entrance anywhere near the walkway to the ICC?

Yeah, I was in a King.

There was a fridge, but it was full of all the expensive hotel foods. It was suggested that I could ask them to take that stuff out so I could use it, but I didn't try.

I was only on the fifth floor, so I can't tell you about the speed. But they had four elevators, and I never encountered any space issues.

Has anybody ever tried getting a multi room suite? With a few people depending on the price I think that would be a good solution, however, the housing beauro mafia appears to have every hotel room in a 3 sq mile radius locked =(

Anybody have any luck making early reservations nearby?

Thanks!
Fizz

No, we ran into the housing bureau lockdown as well. We have a contact trying to run interference for us; we'll see.

We stayed at the Westin last year, and it was smackdab in the middle of things. It was great. And, with TD right at the foot of the esclator, it'll be perfect.

binia - We had no problems with elevators; we were on 10th floor.

Yes, Shula's was awesome. One of us was raised by a butcher, and he said he had the best steak he's ever eaten. No wine; simple mid-price meals, three people; final bill $250!

We may pass this year, but we'll hit PF Chang's and the Brazilian for sure.

Fizzikx wrote: Has anybody ever tried getting a multi room suite? With a few people depending on the price I think that would be a good solution, however, the housing beauro mafia appears to have every hotel room in a 3 sq mile radius locked =(

Anybody have any luck making early reservations nearby?

Thanks!
Fizz

A couple of times we were able to get a suite at the Marriott, through the housing bureau. You just enter the request when you enter your reservation (in the 'comments' field), but you don't find out *for sure* if you get it until shortly before the con. I'm requesting one this year too, at the Westin. We'll see if it comes through...

We have to wait for badge registration to request a room reservation right? I think that starts on the 29th.

Badge registration is on the 29th. Hotel registration is on the 31st.

Why do they make hotel reg on a Tuesday?