That is crazy! Did your gym not give you options? Or at least discuss the costs prior to choosing the hotel. If not then they have no consideration for the parents.
Devil's Advocate....What happens if Coca Cola, Beyoncé, National Quilting Bee, Humane Society, etc. plan something the same weekend and block those hotels. Are we, as attendees, still happy if we have to drive 20+ miles to the venue in icy weather? And again, I'm just basing this off what two managers told me when I was inquiring about the high pricing in Nashville. These managers had no problem telling me about spray tans in showers ruining shower curtains, towels, and staining grout and how long it takes them to get glitter out of carpet. I'd love to blame everything on Housing and Stay To Play, but both of these managers made it pretty clear in their nicest way possible, we aren't the hotel industry's favorite consumers.
The gym did not know of the "take all the money at once" policy in advance, and has been trying to get the situation ameliorated, but they are coming up against all the arguments/excuses you are seeing here. The gym is still hopeful that something can be worked out. EDIT: I am less patient than my gym owners.
That a still a lot of money for a weekend whether her they take it now or later! Hope u can share it with someone!
Yes, last year I got a better rate and only had to pay one night up front, and I believe it was refundable.
Definitely! I was trying to save and spend less this year but it turns out even with my roommie it's more out of my pocket than last year!
Last year I did, the year before wasn't much more money but we didn't have to drive the hotel shuttled us. Even if your gym picked a hotel further out for a much better rate they could get by on charging the athletes like $40 per kid and they could have their own buses to and from for the whole weekend that would take kids/parents friends and family . We did that last year at one comp and had our own 3 busses for us .. It worked out great. I'm just saying there is a much more cost effective option then the gym charging that much for 3 nights.. I know some parents have it but I for one do not. It was just an observation because to me $800 is a lot of money. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It is a LOT of money! But I still don't see it as the GYM charging me- the hotels this year are mostly more expensive and further away than last year. Several of the hotels from last year are not on the list this year. If I had to rent a car or use a taxi (don't get me started on the Dallas taxis!) it could make a cheaper hotel cost about the same. The price is outrageous, but the policies and the "service" provided by the event are responsible.
It's all because of that shoe convention one year And you know what... we would be fine if Beyonce, Coca Cola and the Humane Society are all converging on Dallas...because we are Cheer Moms and we plan a year in advance and Bey would be begging US for rooms. LOL! The reality (at least in downtown Dallas) is it's a business district and really the only draw during weekends is whatever is at the convention center. So he who gets the convention center is likely he who takes over most hotels. Seriously though, I get what you are saying and I understand that spray tanned shower curtains are no fun...but don't penalize me unless it is my room. Don't double my rates because Suzy Spray Tans Mom was drunk when she was aiming the gun. (And obviously spray tans are not the only issue... but still... same idea)
....but, NCA now starts during the business week. We actually don't disagree on much, I just don't agree that the Stay To Play rule is driving up hotel pricing, our pricing is actually the same or within a few dollars of last year and our block prices are cheaper than booking outside of the block. I, also, agree that technically businesses should charge the person that creates the damage, but realistically, I know it is much cheaper for a business to charge the masses than keep track of individual room damage and glitter ownership, and then try to collect damages that the customer will more than likely dispute with their credit card company. I'm really not a huge business sympathizer, but I used to work for a CFO of a retail corp and every single suggestion was always followed with: How does that affect the customer? Our profit? Our employees? I tend to believe most smart businesses do the same.
Since you stayed at Springhill, I've asked a couple people and I'll ask you, if it's not a freakin' ice storm outside, is it a reasonable walking distance to the convention center?
Actually, I stayed at the Hyatt, but per others from our gym, it is definitely reasonable walking distance. The ice storm in Dallas last year invaded our room at the Hyatt. I have pictures of all of the ice on the INSIDE OF THE WINDOW.
