I'm planning a 50th birthday party for my wife, in mid-July. We'll have about 50 people, from all over New England. We're planning a big time bash in the Boston area. This will include 20 or so rooms, a banquet, lots of fun! Budget is about $5000 - I pay for everything.

Here's the question: How can I spend this $5000 to maximize mileage/hotel credit? My first thought is to use the Westin Waltham. Would I be eligible to collect 10K Starwood points if I spend the entire $5000 at the hotel? Is there a better way to do this? Her only requirement is that I gather as many of her friends as I can, and that they need not spend a dime.

Suggestions? Another hotel chain better? I'm thinking a business-oriented hotel rather than a tourist-oriented hotel (or Boston proper hotel) will give us more bang for our bucks, not to mention 20 or so rooms available in mid-summer in Boston. It will be a Saturday night.