For those of you who don't get the GenCon emails, or didn't scroll down far enough, it says that the housing portal opens on 2/13 - Super Bowl Sunday.
Then again, I assume the portal will open at noon Eastern, and the game starts at 6:30. I wonder if there will be any downtown rooms left by the time the game starts.
If previous (non-2021) years are any indication, the downtown rooms all get snapped up in a couple hours, but if you check the housing portal in the months leading up to Gencon after the initial rush, rooms do pop up periodically.
Last year anyone who wanted a DT hotel in or out of the housing block could get one. So it really depends on how many people feel like buying badges with plans to attend at this time.
Wouldn't surprise me if downtown hotel availability is there past 24 hours again. I know a number of people that are on the fence just because they have no idea what vendors will be there, events and just how it will even look in 2022.
After attending GenCon for the past ten plus years, I must say that last year was quite disappointing. Based on the ridiculous masking policy they've announced for this year, I'm sure attendance will once again be at an all-time low. You should be able to get downtown rooms with no problem - of course you'll be paying full price as if there was no pandemic going on, getting little service and finding that they don't even come to clean your room daily unless you call to request it. Have fun!
I, too, spend a lot of time posting on forums for events I have no interest in attending
Mike
Speaking of the housing portal, how close to the portal opening does it usually get before the list of hotels (and rates) is released?
https://www.gencon.com/attend/hotelmap is the URL for the list of 2021 hotels and rates. The rates have been slowly increasing over the years, so I would predict at least a $5-10/night rate increase over 2021. Someone also mentioned on another thread there is a new Hilton property downtown, so it is yet to be seen if they will participate.
Sorry I was not able to actually answer your question though...
But if I was a VIG I guess I'd really want to know in that case.
Also just like to participate and read the occasional drama.
The hotel list will be coming out soon!
2022 hotel info is up:
https://www.gencon.com/attend/hotelmap?fbclid=IwAR0YfDoxYD5e3CUhEhj9mSJVuCYKuGquCPuXqiW8KeKa6ylhrE2lLY0lVDE
Just me or does it seem thin for hotels outside of downtown? This year, if I attend, probably will have to be outside of downtown to save money and doesn't seem like there are many there. Then again, I haven't paid attention to hotels outside of downtown since 2018...
I would definitely look into booking outside the block. Just a quick search of the Big 3 (Marriott, Hilton, and IHG), there are still a number of hotels available outside of downtown for <$150/night Thu-Sun of Gencon. The Candlewood Suites by the airport is $125/night- I stayed there 2015-2018 and it was fine (nice to have a full-size fridge). The only reason I don't stay there anymore is bc circumstances allowed me to migrate downtown.
Yeah, I should probably look at the my usual backup hotels again.
Only thing I can assume for hotels is maybe there is a belief that downtown will cover most of what the expected attendance will be. I'd assume there is some level of guarantee for room rentals by Gencon for hotels which is why they get in the block in the 1st place. Still reduced attendance = less hotels needed so... only thing I got as to why.