I am thinking of attending a conference in Hyderabad at the end of September, 2008. I will most likely go. The one thing that may prevent me is the location and getting to it. I have gone to this meeting the last three years it has been held, in Kyoto, Montreal and Helsinki. But they are a lot more convenient to get to than Hyderabad it seems. So I was trying to find out more about suggestions on getting there as well as what is there.

The meeting will be at the convention center, I would probably stay at the host hotel, the Novatel. Can anyone share any info about that site or the hotel? What are some interesting things to see and do in HYD? Ive been to several places in India, MAA, DEL, BOM, Agra and Jaipur but not HYD.

Also, looking at routings it doesnt look great. Im an EXP on AA and 1K on UA so I could do either or their alliance partners. I would seem to have a much better chance at getting an upgrade on AA from ORD-DEL than on LH directly form FRA to HYD. But then I would have to transfer in DEL. Is it that bad if I bite the bullet and just stay at a nice hotel for a day and dont try to wait it out at the airport? Or would I be better off taking the flight directly to HYD on LH and having a lower chance, if any on an upgrade. Thanks for any suggestions.