Jim and Shannon at MarsCon in Williamsburg, VA - 1/14-16/2011

[Chiroptera]

...and then she was fired for drinking on the job.

[Serack]

What Serack is neglecting to mention is that he forgot to get a reservation anywhere.  I let him use the second bed in my room (a double being cheaper than a single for some reason) and when I went to pay the extra $15-$20 nusiance charge, being a fine upstanding citizen (stop laughing!), the lady working the desk just stared at us with her mouth agape and said:

"Nobody's ever admitted to adding a person before.  Let me get you an extra key.  No charge."

So I gave her a beer as thanks.

Bah, I asked you if I could use the room in Mid December

[Starbeam]

Thank you thank you!

Posted here-- http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,23834.0.html  

[Priscellie]

What Serack is neglecting to mention is that he forgot to get a reservation anywhere.  I let him use the second bed in my room (a double being cheaper than a single for some reason) and when I went to pay the extra $15-$20 nusiance charge, being a fine upstanding citizen (stop laughing!), the lady working the desk just stared at us with her mouth agape and said:

"Nobody's ever admitted to adding a person before.  Let me get you an extra key.  No charge."

So I gave her a beer as thanks.

Weird.  I asked for four keys to my "double," and they didn't blink.  Nor did they charge me extra.

[Starbeam]

I'd guess that they pretty much expect that kinda thing for conventions.

[Electric MacButters]

The rates said something to the effect of: '+$6.99 for each additional person.'

This was also the Motel 6 next door.  Sorry for any confusion.

[Priscellie]

Huh.  One more reason to like that hotel.

[Shecky]

What Serack is neglecting to mention is that he forgot to get a reservation anywhere.  I let him use the second bed in my room (a double being cheaper than a single for some reason) and when I went to pay the extra $15-$20 nusiance charge, being a fine upstanding citizen (stop laughing!), the lady working the desk just stared at us with her mouth agape and said:

"Nobody's ever admitted to adding a person before.  Let me get you an extra key.  No charge."

So I gave her a beer as thanks.

[whingnut]

I think that Holiday Inn did a fantastic job along with the Con organizers it was clean easy to navigate and well laid out. we things went a bit sideways they moved quickly to make sure it was fixed and the room rate was very reasonable . my one and only complaint was not being able to get the room cool enough, but even that couldn't put a damper on my fun. Fantastic weekend that passed WAY to fast.

[Shecky]

Again, amen. No con (or hosting hotel) is going to have everything go exactly as planned, and while there were a few ball-droppings I heard about that weren't rectified, most of the issues I saw did get fixed, and most of those fixings were done with politeness and alacrity.

[MarsCon1]

We are often asked why we don't change hotels to a larger one. We could always use more space for programming and gaming, but it is very difficult to leave a place that truly wants you. The Patriot is a older hotel but unlike other older hotels in the Williamsburg area, the owner is making improvements every year. I visit the hotel often and I'm always noticing improvements. Last year he put on a new roof to the tune of $200,000. By next MarsCon, every TV in the place will be replaced with new HD flat screens. Most of you probably didn't know this, or even noticed it, but the owner was there the whole weekend. He enjoys the con just as much as the fans. The display in the lobby is done to keep him happy. Three years ago, we did a SteamPunk theme for our con. My wife and friends built a time machine and he allowed us to put it in the lobby. He keeps telling us stories about the postman and police officers coming in and looking at it. So every year since, we have been building a display in the lobby. We could never do some of the things that we do in other hotels. Hard to leave. Now if we could just solve the problems with reservations.

Butch

[Paynesgrey]

Sounds like you've got a class-A venue there.  Regret missing it, but maybe next year.   

[Shecky]

A good relationship between con and venue is beyond price.

[Aine]

Butch~

As one of the many displaced by the reservation "problems," I concur that getting those fixed would be nice.

[Shecky]

Butch~

As one of the many displaced by the reservation "problems," I concur that getting those fixed would be nice.

^ One of the ones I was mentioning earlier with the "a few ball-droppings" comment. Most were taken care of, which is why those few surprised me all the more.