That sounds like fun... but if I adhere to ALL of my criteria, I've already been to Phoenix/Scottsdale .
Hey, Wannabee, I know of at least three other DFers who join us in that category. We're not as alone as all that!
That's good to know! . I was beginning to think i was the only ballroom dancer west of the Mississippi, south of the Mason-Dixon, and east of the Rockies lol. Now if only they would host 5 or 6 decent sized comps a year within easy driving distance of me...
Same here. Though I'll even go so far as to skip the venue hotel if there's a cheaper hotel in the vicinity. At Michigan, assuming they're at the same hotel under new management (I don't remember what the old Hyatt became) I'll just stay at the Extended Stay America that's a four-minute drive around the loop. I also vend at steampunk events and just did the same thing--I got a much nicer room for a better rate at the Comfort Suites next to the Marriott where the convention was. Five-minute walk or two-minute drive, saved probably $200 over the four nights.
Amenities are nice I guess but one thing nobody mentions is that many comps are held in convention / meeting hotels that are really set up for large groups during weekdays. Weekend staffing and quality of meals and service drop decidedly, usually when you are needing this the most at a comp. Comps that are in isolation in an industrial park or non walkable area also means you are a captive to their food hours, prices, etc. Getting food at 11pm (after you dance) can be impossible. Add in daily parking and drivability to the real cost of a hotel stay and it sometimes is much better to stay away from the hotel for these conveniences. And, hotel food is not really very good for you most times lol...
Well, high cost of hotel and airfare had always been an issue and biggest barriers for entering the comp, with this bad economy, most of the time the deciding factors for whether or not entering a comp really depends the deals from hotel and if could find reasonable enough airfare, plus if comp is good schedule, no need for an extra day hanging there paying extra day hotel and cannot work. We had to decide to not going some comps because bad scheduling such as our events were on a Friday and Sunday, leaving Saturday for us hanging there, taking extra day off work but had to pay hotel. At some Florida comps, it is possible to find cheaper smaller hotels near venue and paying a fraction of comp hotel price, We've done that. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a package deal from website such as travelocity, sometimes it is cheaper to book directly from hotel using my hotel credit card and earn points. I've tried all possible ways.
I can see that, but it seems that during a comp I am often going back to my room for something...between different rounds. It helps if my room is at the comp hotel. That being said, I hardly ever take full advantage of the hotel amenities ( like the wonderful spa at Grove Park Inn in Heritage.. I've done that comp twice, and still have not used the spa), in fact, I hardly ever even see the city that I am in! I may have to change that! Meals at any hotel during competition week can be a disaster... I agree with that!
you are missing out on a lot if you are not seeing any of ashville! such a gorgeous city, great food and art, the biltmore is awesome to tour, excellent live music.
If I'm not doing a local comp, I try to do one that either A) has nicer weather (e.g., Florida in winter), or B) is the home city of close friends or relatives with whom I can go out to a meal post-comp. It's a different way of getting bang for the buck.
I know! I did get a chance to tour the biltmore but would love to see more of the city. Maybe this year!
