I've got a room at the Marriott for $395 (still not happy about it). I think I also booked a room at the Hilton (about same rate) as a back-up. Will cancel that just before the show, but hold the res in case any biz colleagues need it.

As I mentioned, there's a trade show (IBC) that fills up ALL the hotel rooms in town, even the no-name ones, and the hotels (because they know this) all jack up their prices. My room rate drops to $315 the day after the trade show ends (which is still high).

I'm on the exec level at $395; to get the same room I've had for 5 years would cost $455 (they've recatorgized it as a junior suite).

The only way I can pull off the outrageous price tag is that I have more than 1 client sending me to the show, so I divvy up the expenses btwn them so they each pay less, but it's really borderline close on pulling that off this time, given the high hotel rate. I'll probably have to eat some of the costs myself.

And insult to injury, because the rates are so high, I decided to connect on UA in IAD so I'd arrive in the am (I go in a day early to the show) & have time to do things/feel like I justified the hotel rate. Of course that means the first part of the trip is domestic - and no champagne on the plane, unlike when I route through LHR. Bummer. Next year I might book somewhere else the first night & go back to my LHR connection.

Or - win the lotto, never attend this trade show again, & just go to AMS for pleasure at a time when rates aren't so high (of course if I won the lotto, I probably wouldn't care ).

I thought of the Schiphol Hilton, but I have a lot of late night events w/ this show & don't want to have to commute back late at night (more due to the inconvenience sake than safety).

------------------
Sharon

[This message has been edited by SkiAdcock (edited 05-18-2003).]