hotel for fudcon tempe 2011

[Paul W. Frields]

On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 05:56:17PM -0400, Paul W. Frields wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 11:14:47AM -0400, Paul W. Frields wrote:
> > On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 10:05:13AM -0400, seth vidal wrote:
> > > On Thu, 2010-08-12 at 09:26 -0400, Paul W. Frields wrote:
> > > > > 
> > > > > I can go through the group reseveration proposal process, if you'd like
> > > > > but I'm worried I'll be nagging you for a lot more information.
> > > > 
> > > > You're probably right -- after all, it's been a requirement for the
> > > > person signing the actual contract to work this out.
> > > > 
> > > > > it's right here:
> > > > > http://www.marriott.com/meetings/group-travel/schedule-groupBooking.mi?marshaCode=phxte
> > > > > 
> > > > > I can fill it out tomorrow after consulting a bit on what our
> > > > > requirements are.
> > > > 
> > > > Usually, rather than filling out the form, it's easier to simply phone
> > > > the hotel directly and ask for the group coordinator.  More efficient
> > > > and you can generally avoid getting highballed (on price) that way.
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > Well, then here's all the contact information:
> > > 
> > > * Phone:  1-480-966-2800 
> > >   * Fax:  1-480-829-8446 
> > >   * Sales:  1-480-966-2800 ext. 619 
> > >   * Sales fax:  1-480-829-8446 
> > 
> > I'm going to call them this afternoon Eastern time (their morning
> > local time).  Thanks.
> 
> I called the Courtyard this afternoon and had a very pleasant exchange
> with John, one of the group sales coordinators.  Although their
> published rate is still actually around $149, Seth provided some
> online booking references for the $99 rate.  They are actually
> provided as part of a "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" deal, meaning 3 nights works
> out to an average rate of $99.  Since we are going to be using at
> least 3 nights for just about everyone who's there, I'm pretty
> confident about negotiating for it.
> 
> I also found out they have plenty of space for a 50-room block, and
> will not hold us to any kind of maximum attrition (meaning we don't
> pay for rooms we don't use).  We'd be required of course to give those
> rooms up out of the block after a specific deadline, meaning they go
> back to the general room population for letting to whoever comes
> along.  That's expected and perfectly acceptable.
> 
> I'm having an email conversation as follow-up with the coordinator, so
> please stay tuned -- I'll have more information soon.

The Courtyard tells me the $99 rate is limited to a maximum of two
rooms for the weekend as a special deal through hotels.com.  However,
they're willing to extend us a rate of $129/night, which is still a
pretty substantial savings in my opinion.

I'm going to try to rake them over the coals a little more, but if
that won't work, are there strident objections about going with this
hotel?

/me eyes Robyn, who spent quite a bit of time working on hotels
already.  If she can feel good about this choice, then so can I.


-- 
Paul W. Frields                                http://paul.frields.org/
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