Hotels and dining and such (was Re: Ideas)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: annie
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>I think one of the ieal things would be get a deal from some
>hotel / motel to get everyone to stay at the ame place.

We've been down this road a few times for DLV, and the end
result is that yes, some hotels are willing to offer a token
discount for multiple rooms, but there are usually strings
attached, such as prepayment and guarantees. The bottom line,
except in one case that I've seen, has been that these
"discount" rates are easily beaten by anybody with just a
few mouse clicks.

If somebody wants to do the legwork on this, I'm willing to
listen, but I'm not holding my breath. :)

People also have different wants and needs regarding hotels.

Some want to be in the center of the action and don't mind
paying a bit more. Others want more reasonable rates and don't
mind driving. Still others want to party at Hunters until
0-dark-hundred and just walk (stumble?) next door or across
the street to their room. :)

Some will want to be close to other Pinkfesters, for all kinds
of various reasons, such as companionship, feeling of security,
etc. Others will want a bit of their own space for the weekend.

>Perhaps we could even get a banquet room for a meal or two
>together. Possibly our own brakfast area.

Ok, let's see ... how can I say this without sounding like I'm
poo-poo-ing your ideas?

Let me just speak very freely.

At Pinkfest, we don't want to replicate what's available at
the mainline TG events. Those who are looking for more of
"a safe place to dress" can do Be-All, Fall Harvest, or any
of several other events of that type. Pinkfest is very much
"on the town", and is intended for those who want an event
that's different from the conventions, and a "step up" into
the mainstream so to speak.

If anybody disagrees with my last paragraph, please say so.

I really don't see dinner or breakfast in a banquet room
for Pinkfest getting much traction. (No, Ginger, I'm not
gonna say it.) :)

Chicago has countless great dining options, and it's really
hard to find one that's not TG friendly! Some of our faves
(Winberies, Ann Sathers, Hard Rock, Ed Debevics) are perfectly
safe for those who are newly-out. Others (Chicago Chop House,
Carsons Ribs, Magianos) might be seen as a bit daring. I think
if you give some of these place a try, you'll find the overall
experience very rewarding. :)

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(This posting was entered by annie, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura
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I am willing to do a little bit of leg work on the hotel thing. I was
planning to be in Chicago this weekend anyway. I think Pinkfest has
some advantages in finding a hotel in that the venue does not need a
large banquet room or vendors' area to be a viable option.

My family had a big private dinner at Magianos downtown a couple of
years ago. We got a private room for twenty people and had a great
time. It was affordable and the food and service was wonderful.

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(This posting was entered by Laura, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura
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Chicago is a huge, diverse, fun, and intersting city with many unique
neighborhoods. Gay, straight, transgender, or otherwise, I have always
thought Boystown to be one of the most fun neighborhoods in Chicago.
Pinkfest has had many successful events in this neighborhood in the
past. I thought this article was helpful in thinking about places to
stay near Boystown:

Chicago: Where to Stay

Chicago's lodging options can accommodate any traveler, and even
those on a modest budget can stay in the heart of the action. Hotels
that are located close to the Boystown bar scene are especially
gay-friendly (perhaps T-friendly too). Travelers will find that the
city's premium hotels are in the heart of downtown, a.k.a. "The
Loop," and scattered along Michigan Avenue and throughout River
North. Because of plentiful public transportation and taxis, however, no
lodging in central Chicago is ever too far from the action.

Three gay-popular boutique hotels are marketed as the Neighborhood Inns of Chicago. Visit their Web site at www.cityinns.com. Rooms at all three are comparable, and all rates include concierge, honor baskets, luxury robes, data ports, complimentary morning newspaper and a continental breakfast served in the hotel lobby. Parking at all three properties is an additional $18-19/day. The crown jewel of the Neighborhood Inns is the Majestic (528 W. Brompton Place; 773/404-3499 or 800/727-5108, fax 773/404-3495; $99-199), with 52 rooms featuring modest English country estate decor. Six of the rooms have enclosed sun porches on the front of the building. The Majestic is on a shady residential street a few minutes north of the heart of Boystown. City Suites Hotel (933 W. Belmont Ave., 773/404-3400 or 800/248-9108, fax 773/404-3405; $99-199) is steps away from the Boystown strip on busy Belmont Avenue. The hotel's location one block from the El is both a
blessing and a curse if the sound of passing trains bothers you. But in
many rooms you might not even notice them, and this property has the
largest gay following by far of the three. Willows Hotel (555 W. Surf
St.; 773/528-8400 or 800/787-3108, fax 773/528-8483; $99-199) is a
European-style hotel with 55 rooms. It is a few minutes south of the
heart of Boystown. Other nearby options include the
gay-owned-and-operated Villa Toscana Guest House (3447 N. Halsted St.;
773/404-2643 or 800/404-2643; www.villa-toscana.com;
info@villa-toscana.com; $99-139), in the heart of the nightclub district
with seven themed rooms (Art Deco, British Colonial and so on) and a
predominately gay clientele. In Boystown, the Hawthorne Terrace Best
Western (3434 N. Broadway St.; 888/675-BEST or 773/244-3434, fax
773/244-3435; www.hawthorneterrace.com; $139-189) is located just blocks
from shopping, dining and nightlife. This small hotel is quite unlike
most of its Best Western counterparts, thanks to a stone facade and
courtyard, and 59 tastefully appointed rooms and junior suites in
various price ranges. The hotel offers a cardiovascular and weight
training equipment with a sauna and whirlpool. It's only two blocks
from Lake Michigan's bike and in-line skating and jogging paths,
golf courses and tennis courts. Wrigley Field,
home of the Chicago Cubs, is a few blocks away.


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(This posting was entered by Laura, an external user of MyDLV.)