Hotel Information Posted

sirtwist · #1 02-01-2007, 11:23 AM

http://www.hostingcon.com/connect/in...erence-hotels/

For those that have been wondering which hotels we're going to have group discounts at.

**Jamie Harrop** · #2 02-01-2007, 02:51 PM

Great news George.

Just out of interest (I may have missed this somewhere), how close are both hotels to where the conference is taking place?

EWD · #3 02-01-2007, 04:07 PM

Looking at google maps it seems both are walking distance to the pier.

-> Map

EWD · #4 02-01-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirtwist

http://www.hostingcon.com/connect/in...erence-hotels/

For those that have been wondering which hotels we're going to have group discounts at.

Thank you

sirtwist · #5 02-01-2007, 06:39 PM

Yes, they are both within reasonable walking distance to Navy Pier. In addition, the Sheraton is right on the Navy Pier Trolley line which is a free trolley service to/from Navy Pier. I believe you can walk a short distance from the W and catch the trolley as well. The nice thing about the trolley is that even though the W is a pretty short walk from the front of Navy Pier, HostingCon will be held at the end of the pier. The trolley will take you all the way back to the entrance where HostingCon will be held.

That being said, it's not really that bad of a walk all the way back anyway. From the W, probably 10-15 minutes. From the Sheraton, 15-20.

If you're really in a hurry and don't want to walk or wait for the trolley, you can probably get a cab to the end of the Pier for about $5 each way. Next time I'm down there I'll take a cab from the Sheraton over to the end of the Pier to get a good estimate.

**the_pm** · #6 02-01-2007, 06:49 PM

I found this too - http://www.hotels-rates.com/hotels/l...go/IL/usa/268/ - just in case rooms run out or you're tight on your pennies

But $179/night for downtown Sheraton is a pretty nice price for a pretty nice hotel!

sirtwist · #7 02-01-2007, 06:59 PM

Just so everyone's aware, summer rates in Chicago for hotels are pretty pricey. Last time I checked on Expedia and Orbitz I couldn't find a rate for the dates of HostingCon 2007 at a decent hotel that was reasonably close to Navy Pier for under $300. I'm sure there are some places you could get into for a bit less money somewhere but they're few and far between. Unlike Vegas, where there are a billion hotel rooms and you can get them cheap, I think it's going to be in most people's interests to stay at one of the conference hotels this year.

We went with two different hotels to give people some choices. They are both very nice hotels, but the W is more upscale than the Sheraton. For those that really want to have a Wonderful experience and don't mind paying some extra, the W is the best choice.

**Jamie Harrop** · #8 02-01-2007, 07:01 PM

George, were you able to obtain discounts for suites at the Sheraton?

sirtwist · #9 02-01-2007, 07:02 PM

Oh and based on the current standard rates that the two hotels are getting for rooms during the HostingCon time period, HostingCon attendees will probably save $80 a night at the Sheraton and $110 a night at the W.

sirtwist · #10 02-01-2007, 07:05 PM

Yes, but they're still not cheap.

$499 and up for the suites per night.

DPI · #11 02-01-2007, 08:06 PM

You guys might be better off grabbing a room near O'Hare and taking a cab in, same hotels, cheaper rates. Nightlife is different in the suburbs though.

sirtwist · #12 02-01-2007, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPI

You guys might be better off grabbing a room near O'Hare and taking a cab in, same hotels, cheaper rates. Nightlife is different in the suburbs though.

Probably not good advice.

Taxi rides from the O'Hare area to the loop are going to run you probably $35-40 each way. Add an extra $70-80 dollars a day on to the price of your hotel and it's not looking so much cheaper anymore.

On top of that you have the at least 30 minute ride each way to the city, more likely 45-60 minutes at the times you'd be traveling for HostingCon. Honestly, it's just not worth it in terms of both money and aggravation.

DPI · #13 02-02-2007, 07:05 AM

Which cabs are you using? Most of the cabs will do flat-rate from O'Hare to the loop for $20-30.00 and I'm sure if you tell your cabbie to be back at the end of the day, and then again the next morning at the hotel, it'll work out well for both of you.

As for time, yeah, you got me there. Can't say I didn't try though