A Quick Blitz of Hotel Options
Last updated November 1, 2000
| Convention Center Hotels |
| Plan B Alternatives |
| Screw Location |
Needless to say, only one thing IMHO counts: Location, Location, and Location.
Being able to walk from your hotel room directly to the trade show floor is a powerful tool. Don’t underestimate the convenience factor, which goes up the closer you are to the exhibit hall space.
It also plays an important factor for basic transportation time; the larger the conference, the larger the taxi lines, with Comdex and NAB once again as examples of top billing in an ugly fashion. Fortunately, the larger shows operate bus lines to alleviate some of the transportation pressure, but it is not unheard of to wait 30-60 minutes in a cab line during the larger shows.
Hotel location also plays a role in planning after-hours hospitality. If at all possible, hospitality events should be within easy traveling distance of the trade show floor so your staff and guests can hoof it, rather than fight the taxi lines.
Normally, Vegas hotel room prices are more expensive on the weekends and cheaper during the week, but prices for rooms actually go UP during the week of at the massive trade shows such as NAB or Comdex. It’s sad, but true, reflective of the room monopoly hotels have during larger shows and the perception that the geeks don’t tip, don’t gamble, and don’t whore.
| Convention Center Hotels |
Las Vegas
Hilton
Once home to "The King," the Las Vegas Hilton will never have to worry about occupancy rates due to its immediate proximity to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). The Hilton has nice rooms, adequate restaurants, and the "Star Trek" theme attraction with "Quark’s Bar" to hold receptions. Many companies stake out suites in the hotel to hold dusk-to-dawn hospitality receptions… or is that dawn-to-dusk?
Don’t confuse this Hilton with the Flamingo Hilton on the Strip. The Flamingo has lots of neon, but is a long cab ride from either the Sands or the LVCC
The Venetian
Two words: Cash Cow. Put together for $1.6 billion dollars, the Venetian’s location to the Sands Convention Center – the second-largest available space in town and home to NAB’s Internet/Multimedia exhibit section -- will ensure high-occupancy rates nearly year round. Add on one of the town’s largest nightclubs (C2K), a world-class spa, and 16 designer restaurants, plus lavish rooms and it’s a killer. And they’ve got some sort of deal with the Discovery Network because the hotel shows up in some form on every cable channel except "Animal Planet."
Frankly, the rooms are world class with in-room mini-bar, dual sinks, marble bathroom with separate shower and tub, living/office area, two phone lines, and a HP fax/printer with its own phone line. About the only flaw in the design is the always-on night light down on the floor beside the step down from the bedroom into the sunken living/office area. Bring your own duct tape or wedge the long funny pillow off the bed over top of it with a suitcase to cover it up if you can’t sleep with it on.
| Plan B Alternatives |
Unless you reserve rooms really really early, most of the time you won’t be able to get rooms in the convention center hotels. Here are a couple of options to try out.
LVCC (Las Vegas Convention Center)
Anything with Marriott in the Title - Courtyard, Residence Inn, Suites
Marriott has
a smooth little monopoly on hotel properties within a short walking distance of the LVCC,
between the Courtyard by Marriott, Resident Inn, and the high-rise Marriott Suites. None
of these properties have casinos on the premises, not surprising when you consider the
owners. Out the front door, cross the street and you’re at the the Las Vegas
Convention Center. It’s a shorter walk from there to the exhibit show floor than from
most rooms at the Hilton once you wander through the twisty maze of Hilton restaurants,
lobbies, and meeting rooms. Reserve rooms at any of these properties EARLY.
Sands Convention Center
Treasure Island
It’s a little long in
the tooth, but it’s across the street from The Venetian and the rooms have been kept
up. Some floors are wired with high-speed Internet access, a feature The Venetian
hasn’t figure out yet. Restaurant offerings here are average, but Cirque du Soliel
"Mystere" show still is overwhelming after all these years.
| Screw Location |
You don’t care where you are at, because you’ve got a car, can catch a bus, or have someone to chauffeur you around.
Rio
Alleged to have the best buffet in town, the Rio is pretty much as far away from the Strip as you can get – across the highway – without being AWAY from the Strip. Huge rooms with good amenities, a spa downstairs, and lots of convention center space.
St. Tropez
Across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel, the St. Tropez has no casino – yes, that’s right, no goddamn slot machines, weird loud noises, or aimless crowds around the lobby and beyond. It’s peaceful, within walking distance of a convenience store and the Hard Rock if you NEED that slot machine fix. If you don’t mind the quiet, the rooms include VCRs, refrigerators, and a weirdly unique remote control for the air conditioner. They also have a continental breakfast service, but no real dining options on-site.
Alexis Park Resort
Next door to the St. Tropez and across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel, the Alexis Park Resort also has no on-site casinos and lots of quiet. Limited dining and drinking options, but at least you have ‘em if you’re too tired to go out after a long day running around town.
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