DF Meet & Greet - Hotel Talk

JediSkipdogg · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 04:14 AM

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

From the previous thread: DF Meet & Greet - Final Date Selection, 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.)

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 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 06:06 AM

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 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 06:14 AM

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 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynne1

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 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 10:23 AM

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 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 10:34 AM

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 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 10:55 AM

May 18th that's my B-day, hope ya'all have a drink for me!

jen_slc · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 12:33 PM

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 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

jeggeman31 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriOnH

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

I have not played golf in about 20 years !

JediSkipdogg · #11 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriOnH

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeggeman31

I will drive the cart and keep your sugar in check

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 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriOnH

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.

BriOnH · #13 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

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 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 02:48 PM

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 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 02:53 PM

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.