The National--Accommodations
 

Can any Ohio locals chime in and tell me about the various hotels surrounding or near to the convention center? I know the Sheraton is where all the action will be again. Still and not to sound cheap, but Priceline says the Howard Johnson's Cleveland Airport has rooms for $49, whereas the Sheraton weighs in at $169. That could add up. Since I'm really only looking for a place to crash that doesn't have iron bars running from ceiling to floor and a stainless steel, no-lid toilet, how bad can the Ho-Jo be? Other suggestions or booking tricks to save a few drachmas would be appreciated.

A few comments
 

1) $169 sounded way too high to me. I checked my reservation for the Sheraton and the reseveration made through the National said the average price was significantly cheaper than that. Having said that

2) There are plenty of hotels near the airport which are cheaper. I'd check with the National accomodations people and see which ones have the shuttle to the National. Otherwise, you will either pay parking (unless you have a Super VIP ticket) or a cab to take you to the show. Either way; some of your savings disappear that way. I will tell you that the gentleman who coordinates the National accomodations is very easy to ask questions of and may be able to help you arrange a better hotel than HoJo at a reasonable pric.

3) The Sheraton will have action; but in Cleveland, I usually prefer Hotels which are not the Sheraton most of the time. Many of those hotels are within walking distances of places to eat and thus you don't have to eat overpriced hotel food. That also depends on making sure I'm out for dinner each nite I'm there.

4) I once stayed, on a show trip to Cleveland; at a HoJo type place for several days to do what you said about just a place to crash. That was fine for that purpose but not for much more.

Think about those other costs before making your hotel decision and plan accordingly

Regards
Rich

If you don't know many people, you may want to consider ponying up for the Sheraton as it may be more social.

Disclosure - I have never been to The National and will not be going, I am just giving my impressions...

Edited to add that $41 bucks a night is super awesome. The other option might be that if you camp, perhaps ther

Todd,

For me, I'm not trying to be cheap. I'm just a poor slob, so I can't afford to stay in the Sheraton & the other host hotels. But, I am definitely going to the Cleveland National. I treat the excursion as a mini vacation. After hotel, gas, food, admission, nightlife, etc,... I'm not going to have much money left to spend at the show, but what the hell... I still love everything about the National, particularly the social aspects. I'm paying about $41 (before taxes) per night at a respectable chain hotel, actually much nicer than where I stayed for the 1997 Cleveland National :D. Since I'm driving, I don't have to worry about the hotel's shuttle schedule. And, since I plan a lot of activities in the evenings after the show ends, I really am only at my hotel to crash.
Contact me if you want the hotel specifics. http://vbbc.forumotion.com/users/17/...les/136179.gif

Alan