dragoncon_lj_archive | Host hotels

You're viewing

dragoncon_lj_archive
Create a Dreamwidth Account Learn More

Reload page in style: site light

lilredriding.livejournal.com posting in

Sorry if this has been covered. But I'm planning for 2013, what are your favorite of the host hotels and why what the benefits of each hotel?

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

eidolon-bird.livejournal.com

Are you going for parties, panels, costumes or something else? Since the Westin was added as an official hotel, the location of the track rooms has been fairly stable. If there's one particular thing you are REALLY interested in, you may want to stay at that specific hotel (I have friends who are really in to Doctor Who so they stay at the Sheraton, while the people interested in Steampunk usually stay at the Westin.) It's really nice to be close to "home" and pop up to your room between panels for food/nap/costume changes/etc.

If you aren't interested in one particular track, then you will most likely want to stay in one of the three central hotels (Hilton, Hyatt or Marriott). I've seen Hyatt's Radius tower mentioned, but not the International tower. It also has its own bank of elevators, and while they're busy, it's nothing like the main tower. My one stay at the Hilton was horrendous (awful room, awful plumbing, elevators were constantly broken), and I have never convinced myself to go back even though people have said it's better now. I love the Marriott even though it's not the quiet hotel it once was when I first started going, but unless you can deal with the noise and crowds and know the best ways to avoid the elevator hell, it's awful.

Another thing to consider - are you flying in? Personally, I always wait until Tuesday to leave because otherwise there is absolutely no chance I would be able to attend Monday's panels. It's nice not having to worry about packing, checking out, waiting for elevators, checking luggage and so on. Instead, I can enjoy my last night of parties, get some sleep, go to any panels that look interesting, maybe relax in the spa, pack at a leisurely pace, get a good night's sleep, then fly home without most of the labor day crowds.