Hilton HHonors - The Kentucky Derby

This is the first week of May next year (2007).
And, all but one of the Hilton hotels say they're full.
...That's a $399/night Hampton Inn.

Do you think they're -ALL- truly full???

Yes, the Derby in Kentucky is huge, this does not surprise me at all. I would expect the same people book and pay for rooms way in advance.

This is also why the tickets to even get into the derby are hard to come by, and expensive.

Good luck!!

...That's a $399/night Hampton Inn.


If you are a AAA member, it is only $359!

I can just hear all the diamonds here snickering.

In the past, you had a min stay requirement of 2-3 nights also:(

I live less than 3 miles from Churchill Downs. Just for fun I called the dumpy LaQuinta down the street from me the see what their advertised "Derby Special" was. It was 3 night minimum, $300 a night package. That's when I decided I'll try to rent my house out next Derby season. :) You wouldn't believe what people can get for their houses around here at Derby time.

Also, used to be the same in Indy for the 500

I was staying in Louisville the week of the Derby and when checking in, I was given a form to sign stating that I would check out on (either Wed or Thurs, I forget)

I asked what if i dont check out.

Wes told some very astronomical cost per night for 3 nights.

Also, used to be the same in Indy for the 500

I live less than 3 miles from Churchill Downs. Just for fun I called the dumpy LaQuinta down the street from me the see what their advertised "Derby Special" was. It was 3 night minimum, $300 a night package. That's when I decided I'll try to rent my house out next Derby season. :) You wouldn't believe what people can get for their houses around here at Derby time.

What's the flyertalk rate for some floor space at your house? :D

What's the flyertalk rate for some floor space at your house? :D
:D Oh, let's see ... I'd consider a trade for a few hundred thousand Hilton points!

I can't even go to Derby unless I do the infield which I swore off in college. I'm in the "lottery" to see if I win the priviledge of buying tickets.

:D Oh, let's see ... I'd consider a trade for a few hundred thousand Hilton points!

I can't even go to Derby unless I do the infield which I swore off in college. I'm in the "lottery" to see if I win the priviledge of buying tickets.

Damn...what no VIP package with reserved seating. What about breakfast coupons. Can I use my 5/10/15 free night certs?

That sounds like the masters practice rounds lottery.

Wow.
...all around.

What to do... $399 reg, $359 AAA, or maybe the $80 gov't rate.
Which will I pick?

That will be an interesting check-in.

Is the gov't rate even available? If so, print out that online reservation now as back-up documentation. Normally 'special events' override a lot of negotiated rates.

Cheers.

Is the gov't rate even available? If so, print out that online reservation now as back-up documentation. Normally 'special events' override a lot of negotiated rates.

Cheers.

I was up there during this years Derby. Still up there as a matter of fact. No one on my team could get a government rate anywhere even close. On Thursday we had to check out and then drive to where ever we wanted to work out of the briefcase on Friday. I ended up in Cincinnati. There were some places closer but I just wanted to drive there. The only close hotels (that were decently priced, we could have gotten $400 rooms) were still about 50 miles away and were still no name places or lower name places (think Knights Inn).

I live less than 3 miles from Churchill Downs. Just for fun I called the dumpy LaQuinta down the street from me...

Sure hope this wasn't the LQ on Preston. I stay there every night prior to my flight due to an early flight and it is fairly nice. No 4 star by any means but nice and clean and not anything at all what I would call a dump.