|
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Madison Heights, MI
Drives: Mini-Van
Feedback Score: 2 reviews
|
NG10 - Need Your Input
Forgive me for my rambling... I just got home from Indy and need to announce this... Please read carefully and ignore any typos - it was a rather treacherous trip home.
I'm sure many of you have noticed a lack of information regarding NG10. Unfortunately, that's going to continue, to a degree, until the sponsors have received their packages and the info first. However, I have a dilemma that we need to get your input on, as well as some information for you.
First, the dates.. June 22-27. That was announced previously, as was the fact that it'll be in Indianapolis.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, planning this NG has been far more difficult than the past few. Indy is NOT an easy place to have the gathering, but there's far more to it that we won't go into. Let's just say we have quite an event planned, and we're working hard to plan a huge event for NG11, so long as NG10 goes well and breaks even (as always).
So here's the dilemma... We have 2 hotel sites as possibilities. I'm going to outline them. Please take all facts into consideration before responding.
First, hotel #1. It's located about 5 miles from the track. Nice and close. It's actually a property with 2 hotels on it, run by the same people. One of the hotels (with less amenities, but the amenities next door can be used) is $63 per night. The other hotel, with more amenities, is $73 per night. The first has a free continental breakfast and slightly smaller rooms. The second has a hot breakfast (free), pool, hot tub, game room (don't get excited - it's not worth it), play area for small kids (like McDonald's has), and larger rooms where you could easily get several people into a room. The rooms are VERY nice. Right now we could block up to 110 rooms. There's another small group that'll be there when we would be. Every type of restaurant you could ever want is about 3-4 miles away. There is a liquor store directly across the street.
Hotel #2 is further away (I timed it at 23 minutes in construction). They have a HUGE indoor atrium area, but voices in there echo terribly so it would have to be occupied by people who stay up all night with the group. The rooms are on the smaller side, and a little run-down, but definitely not bad. I stayed there, and I'm well-known for being a bit of a hotel snob. The beds were definitely comfortable, but there's no way you could get more than 4 in a room. No real amenities in the room, but hot tub, pool, sauna, fitness room, pool table, ping pong table, game room, bar with karaoke and pool, mini bar, and a 4-acre lot for hanging out in.. And here's the best part. They normally charge $90/night. They originally came down to $65 (plus the 17% Indy taxes). Their final offer was $34 per night!!! They serve a free continental breakfast, or you can upgrade to the hot breakfast buffet (eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, has browns, etc) for $5.50, but for our group it would only be $4. Not bad. There are some inexpensive restaurants (fast food and sit-down) directly across the street or within a few miles.
Both locations offer ample parking. Hotel #2 is patroled FREQUENTLY by the police (I saw 7 of them at the corner where the hotel is today, all at the same time). I'm happy to answer any other quesions about the hotels, but we need to give them an answer and sign an agreement very quickly, so I really need to hear your responses...
Does the price of the hotel make a difference in whether or not you'll attend? Does the fact that it's only $34 a night scare you, or do you trust me that it's a decent place? Not great, but definitely not a roach motel, either. Tell us what you think, please, so we can make a final decision and lock this thing down.
|
