I don't care where I stay as long as it's where everyone else is! Let me know and I will reserve wherever!

The Aloft looks kinda cool as it is new, is it close to Ngaire's house and does it have a bar??

30 rooms

Go for it Frank. The Westin Galleria is right near my office on the Dallas North Tollway.

ABout thirty minutes to my house but the GOOD
thing about that is the MALL is attached which is so nice for everyone.

Everyone go dig about and see what you can find.
I am not heavily promoting the HYATT PLACE it is just reasonable and very well located.

Intercontinental would be okay too - inbetween our house and our office.

Just stay on the DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY - NORTH OF 635 OR LBJ FREEWAY AND NOT MORE NORTH THAN 121 HIGHWAY.

The key here is TRANSPORTATION. Getting 60 people around is really the key issue.

I liked Hyatt Place because it includes breakfast and free internet (though anyone I would email will probably be in Dallas :D )

I'm like Karen, just want to be in a convenient location with everyone else. Bar is more important than a mall to me...

November 15th is Karen's birthday too !!

I'm happy wherever we end up, but personally speaking, I really like those Starwood points!! ;) ;)

I booked the Hyatt Place. Too late now to change. Getting a low rate is important but I think one can waste a good bit of time trying to save what amounts to very little in the overall scheme of life. Location seems to be a good one.

Karen birthday how great. She is a Scorpio and that means she is one of the great people. I know a couple of others that are scorpio's , hint,name is Carol.

We reserved a Starwood property: I think this is the one Karen (edit: and Peter) are talking about:

ALoft Plano
6853 North Dallas Parkway
Plano, Texas 75024
Rate: $ 75.65 edited
Free Internet
2 miles from The Hyatt Place ..edited

Yes, 7,000 Starwood points per night.
Editing to say: The $75.65 rate is AAA thru Starwood's website. Can cancel up to 24 hrs prior to arrival & has a bar opening up into a bigger lounge area *and has a liquor license (some areas are still "dry" :) ) .

I'd go for the "Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria" at 14901 Dallas Parkway. AAA rate is $80. Website does say exterior painting will be going on with scaffolding visible around the building. But, not in the bar! I'm sure!

Edit to say that I have 118 nights in Marriott properties just this year, so far, so I'm a bit biased, but still can be flexible. So wherever the gang is, we'll be there!

I just sent the request of to Starwood Preferred Planner and they said they would have a quote by the beginning of the Week for the Westin/Galleria.

Told them 30 rooms, lets see what rate they come back at.

FV

LOL - I'm usually a big supporter of Hyatt but just don't really like Hyatt Place properties. For what its worth, I'm top tier with both Hyatt (Diamond) and Starwood (Platinum) but makes absolutely no difference at these lower end properties.

Hyatt should be running a great promotion called Faster Free Nights during this period (where every 2 stays at any property in the chain earns you 1 free night at any property in the chain). I'd often do mattress runs (just check-in but not really stay at a "local" Hyatt) and pay the sub-$100 rates and use the free night at their top properties like the Park Hyatt Sydney (which is usually $750 a night), Park Hyatt Tokyo, Park Hyatt Chicago, or Victor South Beach.

Booked the Hyatt Dallas /Plano ....We only plan to sleep and bathe there. Hope they have a decent bar serving great Manhattens.

LOL- Peter I like the way you think, I have been doing Mattress runs with Starwood for years to retain my Platinum status, and I agree with some of the places we have stayed in Europe and in Asia it really goes a long way when you use the free nights and get really nice upgrades...

FV

I wss just re-reading this thread to find out what everyone's hotel plans are and saw Ngaire's post that the party is getting so large that she has (or is thinking about) putting any additional attendees on a waitlist. I got to thinking..... I don't think I have ever been to a party that had a waitlist to get in! My next thought was this could turn out like some of the exclusive nightclubs where there is a roped off area outside for those waiting to get in.....then I thought .....gee if this gets much bigger Ngaire may need a bouncer!

May have to rethink things...as perfect as the Hyatt Place sounded to me for everyone's needs, I just called and NO BAR. They serve wine and beer 24 hours a day but no bar.

We will definitely need to have a place to gather wherever we stay.

That LOFT looks really nice! Good location.

Everyone has their own priorities. Not everyone has to stay at the same place and I know many will have rental cars to get around.

We can "gather" where ever we decide to spend time and also do not all have to be together all the time.

Now if ONLY my house could accommodate 90 people for sleeping then we would have no issues at all!

I just read Marcie's post about my birthday, it's the 15th, not the 14th so I can't celebrate until midnight

Tony's shopping for your gift now - :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :o :o

Please tell him all I want is a big giant hug!

I just reserved the ALoft, I think that one looks like a better choice than the Hyatt Place. Isn't it brand new? And I like the bar/lounge area.

Do not tell Karen, but Ngaire has made arrangments for Capt. Dag to be at the party and sing happy birthday to Karen at 12:01 that night.

Remember keep it a secret, do not tell Karen.

Shhhhhhh! Don't tell Karen!!!!

So ummmm can we get a list of where everyone is staying? What is the ALoft? We would like to stay where there would be a group of people, so it might help to have a "hotel roll call" :D We do not know our way around Dallas by any means, so any help would be great.

I don't know my way around Dallas, either. But, I just booked the Marriott at 14901 Dallas Parkway, for a AAA rate of $80.10/night + tax. It's called "Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria" and seems to be within the location Ngaire suggested. Also, I can cancel the reservation if it seems like there's a better option. Just wanted to have something locked-in.

whisper: I think it's so cool that's it will be Karen's almost birthday! :whisper

Ken and I went after work to see the ALOFT.

VERY close to the house it took 7 minutes down a NON busy road. Straight shot too just two turns in the entire route. Saw some Long Horn cattle on the way. I seldom use this road North so never knew they were there! They have a 15 person shuttle and will take you anywhere within a five mile radius so they would shuttle TO my house. The shuttle closes down after 9.30 pm but it is so close Ken could do runs back and forth.

It is fine, very contemporary. The bar is large with LOTS of chairs so that would be nice. Lot of snacks things you can buy. On Friday nights they have this BLARING and I mean BLARING loud music BUT we will probably be listening to our own blaring music at Billy Bobs or the restaurant we go to so that does not matter. They only do that on Friday night.

New property with the emphasis on simplicity and contemporary. No bathtub, big walk in shower. One raised sink on the vanity. Remember the Diamond where the hangers went front to back instead of side to side. These are the same, maximizing the use of space. Free wifi internet, breakfast not included. King roooms are smaller than the two queen bedded rooms. BIG flat screen TV in front of the bed on the wall. One desk with a chair and the bed. No additional seating area in the room. It is very functional as these types of new modern hotels tend to be. There is a pool and a really nice gym which is nice.

Both this and the Hyatt Place are good values. If you asked me which one I would stay it would be hard to answer. The Aloft is newer but I liked the space in the Hyatt room. That big sectional area and having a bathtub.

Cant go wrong at the price for either property really. Both are great locations.

All those on the tollway are fine. Anything in this corridor will be good. The Westin if you got a good rate might be really nice with the mall attached.

Why not see what Frank can get at the Westin, it will probably be more but you never know.

DID ANYONE CHECK THE INTERCONTINENTAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY RATE? That is lovely hotel I have used that when I used to do big three day conferences for the personnel industry.

I did a search on my Friends and Family link.

Friends/Family discounting, as follows:

Rates are $84.00/per night/room only, King Bed Premier, 2 Double Beds Premier, 2 Double Beds Wheelchair accessible, or Deluxe Room.

King bed Executive Suite is $174.00/per night/room only.

Rates are pre-paid, non-refundable, when booking on my site. Taxes are not included in the rate.

Thanks Denise that is a lovely hotel. If we did a Sunday Brunch this is the place to go.

I think with non-refundable rates at some places I just suggest you let the dust settle before booking and see what develops. If you want to lock something in but can get a refund that is fine.

Just to add that I did a search for the date of Nov. 14, for 1 night only. Not sure if there are variances in rates for other days.

Aloft is Starwood's new "budget" W (hip upscale) flag. Its about the same level as Hyatt Place but I believe they are all new builds while most Hyatt Places are Amerisuites "lightly" remodeled.

Intercontinental, Westin, and Marriott will be more upscale "full service" traditional type of properties.

I'm sure that the Westin "group" rate will be more than $100 since the lowest non-refundable rate is currently $155. There is a senior rate of $159 that I believe is refundable.

Sorry to create this confusion about which hotel to stay at :)

I am at the Aloft.
I will not have a car, though, since I am coming on my own and hate dirving where I don't know where I am going. It's so close to the house, I can cab it if I can't get a lift.

What a great great event!

Keep suggesting hotels and I will keep reserving rooms

Seriously, I think I am done reserving till we decide where to stay. I think the closer to Ngaire's house, the better!

So far, Hyatt place has no real bar (correct?) and Aloft does?

I think the Intercontinental is a little too far away for my liking.

JoAnn,now that would be a roll call to manage, to have it in a current "list" mode. It seems to change by the minute!

Yes - Hyatt Place is strictly limited service with no "real" bar or restaurant just a lounge area for continental (very continental) breakfast and limited food & drinks at other times. Aloft is a "downscale" version of W which is centered around a "hip" bar scene so there is a "real" bar.

I booked Aloft - but who knows what I'm really going to do - a large part depends on what other stays I have at Hyatt planned (I'm still 7 stays away from keeping my Diamond status - and if they're doing Faster Free Nights "qualification" at that time - if I "need" stays I might "hop" between the hotels every other night or even check-in at both). As crazy as that sounds, it can be amazingly profitable - for Starwood 2nd Quarter Free Weekend Nights (with 2 stays) promotion - I got over $3600 in value on a spend of $1300 (which I never stayed in) - redeeming for 7 nights at St Regis San Francisco - 3 nights at Le Meridien Munich - 2 nights at SLS Beverly Hills - and 1 night at St Regis Atlanta.

I'm done with Starwood status though - part of why I did it is for the 1 night pre-cruise for TUT next year - will be in a Starwood property - either the Grand Bertagne or the Arion Blue Palace Complex on the sea.

Diane - I will be at the Aloft. If Clay comes we will drive, arriving on Friday. If I'm by myself, will fly (hopefully into Love) and rent a car so you are welcome to hitch a ride with us/me. I don't want to drive to and from Billy Bob's on a Friday night though. I do have to return to Houston on Sunday since I'm leaving for the Voyager on Tuesday. If there is a Sunday Brunch, I will stay for that.

I made a reservation at the Aloft which I can cancel if we decide on another hotel. Looks like the $75 AAA rate is the best deal. The reviews on Tripadvisor are all very good but they all point out the rooms are small, hip and geared to a 20's-30's crowd. I'll rent a car so I can take at least two other people. Tom.

I will try calling the GM of ALOFT tomorrow to see if a group rate could be less than the $75 AAA rate.

IF you all decide to do Billy Bob's then I think the sensible thing is to charter a bus. Everyone at various hotels can gather at my house and we go from here. The bus could go to ALOFT and pick up that group as it sounds like this may be the biggest group.

Then we are not drinking and driving home either. It is quite a drive. Those at Hyatt Place Ken can drive the entire two minutes to get them home.

That is the most sensible plan. Those that want to drive can drive of course.

We could also just have a private room at a restaurant and not venture to Fort Worth for Billy Bobs. In fact some could go to Billy Bobs and some could stay and just go to dinner. We could all do our own thing that night as well.

I have never been to Billy Bobs so I cannot really advise you on that choice.

THESE DECISON ARE YOURS - NOT MINE. AFTER YOU HASH OUT THE HOTELS THEN YOU CAN START ON THE SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE WEEKEND.

Wouldn't it be kind of hard to hear conversations at Billy Bob's? Never been there, but the website looks loud.

Billy Bobs is a honkey tonk dance hall. Yes, loud country music. These are fun places to watch all the dancers and if you can country dance a lot of fun but not good for conversation.

However if you go to the website and look at Billy Bobs they do have private rooms where we could have a meal and not be in the actual dance hall where it is so loud. Texas barbeque of course. On Friday nights they have live bull riding. Lots of pretty unique TOTALLY TEXAS entertainment. Looking at this I started to get more enthused about this as an option.

http://www.billybobstexas.com/

This is what makes the world go around, some would love it and some would not. That is why I said we all do not have to do the same thing.

We booked the ALoft, got the AAA rate. Working on air later today.

We're in!!! Not missing this party.

Flying in on Delta the 12th, superstitious Marilyn wouldn't do friday 13th. We'll keep the light on for ya'

Count us in for Billy Bobs...it screams "TEXAS" and I 'd love to see bull riding.Sounds like a blast.

Like the idea of a private room so we can talk and catch up.

Love the idea of a private bus leaving from the hotel with the most guests.....We don't like to drink and drive and I will NOT be a designated driver in Dallas.

Sunday Brunch is right up our alley, as well...do they serve Mimosas and Bloody Caesars or as we call them up here...Heart Starters.

I will check this morning for group rates at Billy Bobs and charter bus rates.

I currently have 3 different hotels booked, all are cancellable so when the dust settles I'll cancel (Hyatt Place, Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum; Aloft Plano) I got good AAA rates at all 3.

Count us in for Billy Bob's. I think after long travel day 3 hours will be our max.