Originally Posted by
quarryking
Thanks for the link. Was wondering if the bookings are made via the above site, whether they'd count towards eligible stays on the HH program..??
* Stays have to be booked on the Hilton site to be eligible for stay/night credit. Having said that, often when booking conventions through the named convention agency, those do count for credit. Just make sure if you book through agency that you provide your Hilton or Marriott et al number, and eventually get a confirmation code that the chain recognizes. Usually a few weeks before the show, the agency transfers all the ressies over to the hotel.
Originally Posted by
Madelaine
My husband and I have gone to the NAMM show for the past 9 years, and have stayed at a lot of the nearby hotels. We've stayed at the Marrriott twice, and the Sheraton Park once, but haven't made it into the Hilton yet. Last year we were in the new Doubletree, and have also been in the Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and Hyatt previously.
If you want to stay absolutely near the convention center, Marriott and Hilton are your best bets, but do be aware that the hotels are very noisy during the convention, and it takes forever to get an elevator. I did like the Sheraton Park (be aware of the difference between Sheraton Park and Sheraton Anaheim) for its relative proximity without the heavy crowding of the Marriott or Hilton. If you want to save a few dollars, anything north of Chapman on Katella are in decent walking distance, or a lot of hotels have shuttles to the convention center (though remember the crowding issue).
As to the rates, sadly, the NAMM rates are good for that week, as all the hotels seriously jack up their rates during that time. One year I got a package through Disney for park tickets and a stay at the Marriott that was cheaper than the non-NAMM hotel only rate. Also keep in mind that there are resort fees and taxes, parking is about $12 per day, and Marriott/Hilton/Sheraton don't have free internet.
The year we stayed at Sheraton, I used SPG points to book, and I think I booked as far out as September. Have only done partial stays at Marriott with points (ie one points night, two paid nights).
Can't speak for Hilton or Sheraton, but if you're Gold or Platinum with Marriott you now get free internet due to your status. I think the other chains might be similar re: status-based free internet.
Never been to the NAMM convention, but if it's a large size that explains all the hotels jacking up their rates. Quite common in convention cities. Hotels aren't stoo-pid; the old supply & demand thing. I've got an overseas trade show coming up, and it's been declared a 'citywide event' (aka, code for jack up the rates). The negotiated rate at my hotel is 261Euros; non-negotiated rate is 345Euros.
Cheers.