DF Meet & Greet - Hotel Talk

[JediSkipdogg]

First off, no, this is not a poll. Yet.......:whistling

From the previous thread: http://www.diabetesforums.com/meet-and-greet/13422-df-meet-greet-final.html, it has been determing that May 13 is the best date. Therefore, the 2007 Diabetes Forum Meet and Greet will be held in Las Vegas starting Sunday, May 13, 2007 going till Friday, May 18, 2007.

This thread it to discuss how hotels should be handled. At the end of this post are a few questions that need to be answered to determine how we should move on to the next step.

Below is a chart of all the hotels I could find and if I could find info on them this early. Some hotels aren't accepting reservations yet. The table after the chart shows the same info, but in a numerical format with it broken down into each specific day out there. If one wants to, you can hotel hop each day for the best rate, lol. Also, there is a total and then the total for that hotel with the estimated 9% tax they charge (that is a number I came up with from some hotel sites showing complete booking info with final price.)

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/324/may13chartty4.jpg

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/7945/may13tablebd3.jpg

The questions to be answered are.....

Should this be a free for all hotel choosing or should we try to book together? Free for all allows those to stay wherever they want. If Spike wants to treat his wife to the Four Seasons, he can, she might like that, but his credit card won't. A major advantage of one common hotel is we can just walk up to each others doors and knock if we want to do something. We could possible even get on the same floor together. There may ever be a group discount for say 10 or more rooms. However, it may be hard choosing one hotel.

Which hotel(s) do you recommend? This can be on the free for all or group level. Think of items such as location, distance to other places, amentities, etc. I know the two major ones talked about in chat are the Excalibur and Luxor. Both at the south end of the strip, connected with a monorail/people mover, and reasonably priced during our week. Also right across from the MGM Grand and next to New York New York.

Other Comments/Discussion Even if you are not attending, you may offer advice on hotel choosing. I'd like to have this topic hashed out so people can start booking by December to get cheaper rates.

[camjen1]

It would be nice to have everyone together but that is up to each person. I don't care where I end up just as long as I'm in the same hotel with at least one other person. What can I say this is my first time traveling by myself and don't want to be left alone.

[Lynne1]

I'm probably not going but thought I'd put my comments in since I stayed in the Monte Carlo last time I went to Vegas and it's very reasonably priced for the week you've chosen.

We went 2 1/2 years ago and we thought the Monte Carlo was a nice hotel. Has a nice pool and river ride (forget what it's called), food court, pub and a french restaurant. It's smaller than most of the other hotels, but it's in a great location right on the strip between NY NY and Caesars. I would definitely recommend it, especially for the price they are charging.

One thing to look into, though. Why is the price there so much cheaper than the others? Are they doing construction there? Just wondering.

[JediSkipdogg]

One thing to look into, though. Why is the price there so much cheaper than the others? Are they doing construction there? Just wondering.

As far as I can tell during the time we plan on going no hotels should be having any major constructions then. Excalibur is currently redoing their pool, but they say it will be open for spring. So that shouldn't be a problem.

That does bring up a point as well. We haven't made it to the planning stage for what will happen and it may just be a fly by night type planning, but staying in the same hotel, or as few hotels as possible does help just sitting with people. If some want to lounge at the pool for hours, you have to be a guest of that hotel to get into the pool. So, if everyone is at 10 different hotels, then there won't be much lounging around and chatting. Then again, a fence or security guard never stopped me from getting into a pool. LOL

[BriOnH]

I think a free for all would probably work best - but the closer we can get to the group the better.

I stayed at the hotel next to Paris but can't remember the name of it. It was cool. I liked it becuase it over looked the belaggio fountains and the paris pool :).

This is going to be fun!!!! If anyone is going to bring their golf clubs please let me know. A day or two of golf would be great.

[JediSkipdogg]

Any idea how much golf is out there? I could consider it. You can put two bags under the plane right? So my suitcase and golf clubs may be able to go.

[CaptDave4499]

May 18th that's my B-day, hope ya'all have a drink for me! :T

[jen_slc]

I think it would be nice to have everyone in the same hotel, or close by each other at the very least so people can "pop in"; however, my wallet dictates everything for me so I am likely to go for THE cheapest hotel, or close to it, if the rest of you guys want to go for something over $100/night. I'm just not willing to spend my money on a hotel room, it's just a bed and shower - I'd rather spend it elsewhere! I'll probably only come out for a few days at the most, can't afford an entire week.

[BriOnH]

Any idea how much golf is out there? I could consider it. You can put two bags under the plane right? So my suitcase and golf clubs may be able to go.

I'll find out. I'll help set up the golf stuff for the trip. Any other golfers going besides me and kev?

[jeggeman31]

I'll find out. I'll help set up the golf stuff for the trip. Any other golfers going besides me and kev?

I will drive the cart and keep your sugar in check :tongue:

I have not played golf in about 20 years !

[JediSkipdogg]

I'll find out. I'll help set up the golf stuff for the trip. Any other golfers going besides me and kev?

My biggest problem right now will be seeing if we still have a golf club carrier at my parents house. If not, then I don't feel like spending $100 for one. But of course, if you take your clubs Brian we can share, I'll just bring some golf balls and tees and my glove and my divot repair and....well, you get the point.

I will drive the cart and keep your sugar in check :tongue:

I have not played golf in about 20 years !

Just as long as you don't write our BG down on the score card for that hole. If you do, make sure you do it for Brian and not me.



HOTEL INFO:What I am partially leaning towards is the Luxor and Excalibur for the two hotels. I think if we keep it down to a minimum number of hotels then we will be fine. Of course, if one still wants the Four Seasons I'm not going to stop them. That way we at least get people in hotels next to each other and meeting up for a walk on the strip will be easy to do. Any thoughts on those two?

[camjen1]

This is going to be fun!!!! If anyone is going to bring their golf clubs please let me know. A day or two of golf would be great.

Hey I'm down for a game of miniature golf.:tongue:

[BriOnH]

HOTEL INFO: Of course, if one still wants the Four Seasons I'm not going to stop them.

What I want and what I can get are two different things :).

jeggeman if you want come play anyhow! It's just about having a good time.

Do you think we could get more off kev if we get a lot of people? Also I stayed at Bally's last time(my friend I went with just reminded me of the name) - it was pretty cool. I MIGHT be getting a suite with Michael(Cyborg). Anyone else want to go in on that with us?

[jeggeman31]

I have not been keeping up on the many many threads about the going ons of Vegas, however we don't have to do the entire week do we? Us picking the date now is good for me as I have to turn in all my vacation stuff by the end of the month. Plus figure out what I am gonna do with the kids and the wife and I are heading west in May !

[JediSkipdogg]

I was trying to see if we could pick a hotel before checking for group discounts. I believe most hotels want at least 10 rooms before a group discount is allowed. And right now it seems like we may be on the 10 room borderline. I'm off next Tuesday and Wednesday, so I'll call some places then and see what I find out.

Jim, nothing says you have to stay the whole time or you can't come a few days early and leave say Tuesday. The reason I picked Sunday-Friday was a few ones. During Friday and Saturday night, hotel rates skyrocket, many times at least doubling. Therefore I wanted to get the most cost effective days of the week and the least busiest as well. I will be staying Sunday-Friday and right now looks like I'll arrive in Vegas around 5-6 pm Sunday and then leave there around noon on Friday. But then again, I am waiting for Southwest to start taking bookings then since they are generally cheaper than the rest.

[Carwy]

Hey I'm down for a game of miniature golf.:tongue:

Any time Sandi any time.

[JediSkipdogg]

Can we get back to hotels please? We can talk about golf and love affairs later, but hotel chat now. I'd like a final answer by Tuesday of a plan before I start calling hotels to check out group discounts.

[BriOnH]

Sorry kev last post on golf(in this section :) )!! I'll play a round of miniture golf too!

[Carwy]

Can we get back to hotels please? We can talk about golf and love affairs later, but hotel chat now. I'd like a final answer by Tuesday of a plan before I start calling hotels to check out group discounts.

Okay grumpy grape I pick either Excalibur (Closer to the airport in vegas) or Circus Circus.

Okay it is 3.1 miles (7minutes) from McCarran International Airport to the Excalibur.

It's 4.5 miles (10 Minutes) from McCarran International Airport to Circuse Circuse.


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/carwy/Excaliburcircuse.jpg

I'll work on getting a map with them all on it and the airport.
remember most people will be flying in.

[Cyborg]

The whole strip is close to the airport...

[JediSkipdogg]

I'll work on getting a map with them all on it and the airport.
remember most people will be flying in.

No matter what people will have to take some sort of taxi or bus. Well, one could walk, but, I won't. And no matter what, the taxi is all the same price since they make sure they get you for 5 miles. When we went last time ours somehow made a turn down a construction road (he says it was new, the constuction looked 6 months old) then drove past the hotel the second time, all while his meter was ticking.

Here's a site with a map and some distances....

Las Vegas Map - Strip Map - Las Vegas Hotel Map | VEGAS.com (http://vegas.com/lounge/map.html)

http://cache.vegas.com/images/map_strip1106.gif

[Belinda]

The thing about the hotels (not able to go to DF meet and greet but wanted to give you my experience) is that you can call and ask for rates through cheap hotels. com and once in Vegas you pay 5-10 bucks for a round trip shuttle ride to the hotels. They take you to each hotel that a person is staying aboard a shuttle. It takes about 20 mins for them to drop off from Excalilber (stayed there....) and Circus Circus (stayed there too just 2 years ago) so the choice is the price if you really must know. All I have stayed in have been clean and there is a monarail and trolley that run the strip at all times.

[Carwy]

The whole strip is close to the airport...

yse but the strip extends east from the airport. So that means that some are futher away then other.

[Cyborg]

It's no more than 15 minutes to the airport from anywhere on the strip. Don't make your decision based on that...

[JediSkipdogg]

It's no more than 15 minutes to the airport from anywhere on the strip. Don't make your decision based on that...

That and like Belinda pointed out you can get a shuttle cheap. If you book with Southwest they even have the option at checkout to buy a bus ticket for $10 which takes you from the airport to ANY hotel and then back the day you leave. To me, that's great, $5 one way? Can't beat that in a taxi.

[Cyborg]

It's 5-10$ for a taxi. If I go, I'll be getting a car.

Who's driving there?

[notme]

Darn and I was going to vote for the Stardust!!! :-

[JediSkipdogg]

Darn and I was going to vote for the Stardust!!! :-

HAHAHA...Yeah, we can sleep where it use to be. Well, it's still there, just closed. Any idea when they are planning the implosion of it?

[Cyborg]

For the price, and the gambling, good food, shows, the Golden Nugget is hard to beat...

[Keezheekoni]

I like Circus Circus. :D I always hung out there when I was a kid and my dad was gambling elsewhere... he'd always come find me and give me more money. I loved the midway games!

Their buffet ROCKS, by the way.

[jen_slc]

It's 5-10$ for a taxi. If I go, I'll be getting a car.

Who's driving there?Barring any unforeseen catastrophe involving my car, I will be driving. It's only ~6 hrs and it'll be much cheaper for me. I might even make it on one tank of gas, woohoo! I can seat 4 comfortably, but 5 will fit, for any out-of-the-strip-trips.

Sorry, Kev, back to hotels: I think your two ideas sound good if you want to check out group discounts, but the other suggestions are good ideas too. I might even be willing to consider the pricier hotels if you can get the rates discounted to something <$100. :D

[JediSkipdogg]

I spoke with a few random hotels today and it seems that they don't do any group discounts for groups under 20 rooms. And some don't do any at all.

They said all a group code does is get you booked in the same location together and keep it at the current rate when I make the "group reservation." So, say I made it today, and rates doubled by a week before we got there, people could still use the code and pay today's rate fi they don't book till 2 days before. But we need at least 10 rooms in a hotel for that.

So......where to now? Are we all just handling hotels ourselves wherever people want to stay?

[spike]

So......where to now? Are we all just handling hotels ourselves wherever people want to stay?


I'll be staying at the Luxor, as usual.

[lilituc]

I'll be staying at the Luxor, as usual.

spike, does the Luxor smell like smoke?

[JediSkipdogg]

Ok, how bout we do this....everyone that is 95%+ sure they are going put where they are staying....

BrionH - Luxor (correct??)
Spike - Luxor
JediSkipdogg - Excalibur

[spike]

spike, does the Luxor smell like smoke?

The casinos all have some smoke here and there. The ventilation systems keep areas of the casinos reasonably smoke free, but a minute later, of if you walk a few feet in any direction, you may smell smoke. In other words it depends on exactly where you are located and how many smokers are nearby.

I always rent a smoke free room. As I approach the elevators to go down to the ground level, I'll smell smoke, especially in the evening.

I hate the smoke as much as anyone so I use steroid and bronchodilator inhalers, starting a few days before the trip. They protect me from cigarette induced asthma. Without the inhalers I would be miserable.

[Dewey]

Currently, I'm opting for the Excalibur, due to pricing. However, since the two hotels are linked by the walkway, I don't see it as an issue to be in separate hotels....We could each partake in the joys of one another's selections (at least I think we could??)! :D

[spike]

Currently, I'm opting for the Excalibur, due to pricing. However, since the two hotels are linked by the walkway, I don't see it as an issue to be in separate hotels....We could each partake in the joys of one another's selections (at least I think we could??)! :D

I agree. Krispie Creme is closer to Exalibur, so if that's important to folks...Mary and I used to take the walk to KC from the Luxor years ago, but we both got sick of the greasy donuts, so what was once a treat we now consider "yuck". :)

[koblenz]

I will begin negotiations with the wife on final hotel selection for us. Since our usual presidential suite at the Four Seasons is unavailable, I imagine it will either be the Luxor or Excaliber! :)

[BriOnH]

I'll stay wherever the most DF members are at. Anyone want to room with me? I am going to try to get a good sized room so we all can party/hangout there.

Kev can we have an activities thread too or is it to soon for that?

[JediSkipdogg]

Kev can we have an activities thread too or is it to soon for that?

I was trying to get hotel stuff straighened out before that. So people stick to one item at a time, lol. Also, I'd think some activities may revolve around the hotel, or maybe not.

I am ready to just say the options are Excalibur and Luxor. If you want to stay elsewhere, then you can.

[JediSkipdogg]

OK, this topic is mostly done. The consensus appears that most will be staying at the Luxor and Excalibur. If you want to stay in a hotel that someone else is staying in, just PM them and find out where and then you can book in the same hotel. If you want to stay elsewhere, stay there. It's all up to what you feel reasonable staying at.

As for now, let's talk about the events. Move on to here....

http://www.diabetesforums.com/meet-and-greet/13654-df-meet-greet-event.html

[w5wjp]

On your hotel list you left off the best kept secret in Vegas....the Orleans.

It is about a mile or so west of the Strip and they have a free shuttle bus to the Barbary Coast and to their other sister hotels...any one with a coast in their name.

Rates are very reasonable...between Christmas and New Years I got a special of $25 a night but regular rates are about $60-80 weekdays and $130 weekends (I think).

Hotel is well kept, friendly staff, good food, and VERY friendly slots...lol.

I have stayed their a few times and had no problems with anything.

[JediSkipdogg]

I tried to keep the list to on the main strip or close to it. I'll look rates up for that week and post them on here. I think most are just going to stay whereever they want to though.

[gettingby]

I'll stay wherever the most DF members are at. Anyone want to room with me? I am going to try to get a good sized room so we all can party/hangout there.

Kev can we have an activities thread too or is it to soon for that?

Hmmmmmm......... maybe I should rethink my decision of not going. Just Kidding Brian. ;)