[DarkMimi]

Hey guys, I need a little advice hotel wise. Since I've been going to ACen (started in 2010), I've let my boyfriend handle the reservation stuff while I took care of everything else. This coming con will be my first year grabbing up a room for myself and two friends. Now I'm not sure which one is the better of the main ones listed as having room blocks and discounts but I do know we're going to be at a limit of $400 total for Thurs-Sun with parking included (we'll all split it once we've decided on a set place to stay). Questions I have are...

Which hotel would be best for three to four people on such a budget?

If I do reserve in January or February, will any money be taken immediately or is it pay at the counter once we arrive?

[obakasan]

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS/OPINIONS

First and most importantly, if you wait until January you probably won't find a room anywhere *near* the convention no matter what the price...

I'll let others chime in on prices.

[linlindesu]

I'd say try the aloft. Reason being that it will be the closest to your budget needs and probably one of the few hotels that will still have room in the next few months.
Now it is a bit of a walk, it is around the movie theatre and it will be about a ten minute or less walk from the hotel to the con center. ( it is a cake walk compared to a trek to McDonald's)
Hotels may take a night's stay deposit out when you book so have that in your account and ready or they may not take anything out until a week prior ( and in that case, they may take out the whole total but that's unlikely)
The hotel will let you know when you book when their fees will be applied.
Also make sure you and your group budget for parking! That can be $30+ depending on where you park and whether or not you have in/out privileges.

[kotomichi]

WAHAHAHA. Sorry. Sorry. I'm really sorry.

Look, good luck getting a room. All hotel blocks have been booked since early last month. The last time I checked, Comfort Inn still had rooms in the 100s...109, maybe...but all other hotels such as the Regency and Hilton are booked. When I went to book my room at the Hilton three weeks ago, they had no more rooms for the con cost. Right now, my room is cost $390 a night and I consider myself lucky I even have a room.

Good luck. Usually, rooms tend to open up later, closer to the con as people cancel, but it's a gamble you're going to have to take. As for me, I'm not taking chances, thus the logic of paying 1.2k for three nights stay at the Hilton.

EDIT: (5 MINUTES LATER)

UH...spoke too soon. I usually check all the hotel block links to see if anyone canceled. Did this everyday since two weeks ago and didn't get anything. TODAY, I SNAGGED A ROOM AT THE EMBASSY FOR $569..or something. WWWHHHHOOOOOOO~~

This post has been edited by kotomichi: 12 November 2012 - 03:28 PM

[DarkMimi]

Oh, well that's some interesting opinions. Especially you kotomochi. Congrats on getting a room at the Embassy for cheaper

I say $400 because we're not positive on getting a fourth person just yet. We're all a little more comfortable with just the three of us but if we need another person then I can raise the hotel budget. I've heard of Aloft, sounds really nice and when I saw pictures? WOW. I think it's an idea in the works.

[TheStrongJaeger]

$400 for Thursday through Sunday is tough considering that most of the convention hotels after taxes will approach or exceed $200 a night. If you have a car and don't mind driving I'd go down the street a few blocks to a mile and there are a good cluster of cheaper hotels.

[PetitePikaPika]

Honestly i don't think you will be able to find a close hotel for only $100 a night. you have to pay to be close, but maybe the atloft will work. I got my room for 130 a night last year and there block hasn't opened yet. i booked at the hyatt this year for 175 a night because i don't want to walk to the atloft in the middle of the night. Good luck though!

[XenoBlade]

Honestly, for that range (thursday-sunday) motel 6 would probably the only available choice (others are probably sold out by now)

[DarkMimi]

I guess that means we're going to have to force a fourth person into coming with us, I need more nerd friends. Well thanks guys, all suggestions were helpful in con planning. I'm not sure who we could find to come with and help with room cost, but everyone agreed already on trying to stay closer. Walking late at night puts a downer on any of the late night panels we wanted to go to.