Hotel Name: Fairmont
Would You Book Next Year: Depends on where my other friends are staying.
Pros: Clean hotel, friendly and helpful staff, and I actually liked the short walk to the hotel since I did artist alley and was sitting down most of the day. Also, when I checked out they told me about (and let me sign up for) their free President's Club so I didn't have to pay for internet usage.
Cons: Having to pay the entire bill plus a deposit up front with no warning. Please see the special notes section.
Special Notes to Share:
I've been going to conventions since 1998. I can say pretty confidently that the "entire stay plus deposit" policy is not standard practice at hotels. Last year I was at the St. Claire, which doesn't charge like that, so I really had no reason to expect it this year.
I want to be clear, I have no problem with the hotel having this policy. They've probably been burned before. But in the entire booking process there wasn't even a hint of it. I had no reason to call about a possible deposit, since the confirmation e-mail said "Deposit Policy: Credit Card Guarantee or Check Deposit of 1 Night's Room & Tax." I ended up having to call my mom at 11 PM her time to send me some emergency money since my roommates weren't there and hadn't paid me yet, plus we needed an extra $100 per night deposit, and we were staying for five nights. (We drove in from out of town and didn't want to drive tired.)
Would You Book Next Year: Depends on where my other friends are staying.
Pros: Clean hotel, friendly and helpful staff, and I actually liked the short walk to the hotel since I did artist alley and was sitting down most of the day. Also, when I checked out they told me about (and let me sign up for) their free President's Club so I didn't have to pay for internet usage.
Cons: Having to pay the entire bill plus a deposit up front with no warning. Please see the special notes section.
Special Notes to Share:
I've been going to conventions since 1998. I can say pretty confidently that the "entire stay plus deposit" policy is not standard practice at hotels. Last year I was at the St. Claire, which doesn't charge like that, so I really had no reason to expect it this year.
I want to be clear, I have no problem with the hotel having this policy. They've probably been burned before. But in the entire booking process there wasn't even a hint of it. I had no reason to call about a possible deposit, since the confirmation e-mail said "Deposit Policy: Credit Card Guarantee or Check Deposit of 1 Night's Room & Tax." I ended up having to call my mom at 11 PM her time to send me some emergency money since my roommates weren't there and hadn't paid me yet, plus we needed an extra $100 per night deposit, and we were staying for five nights. (We drove in from out of town and didn't want to drive tired.)