I'm lucky enough to be a companion for a VIG this year (Coolest Brother-in-Law Ever). I have missed the last two Gen Cons after making every single one since 1989. My favorite hotel is the Homewood Suites, but that's not in the block. I have spinal stenosis that limits my walking range to 2-3 blocks. I'd like a hotel close to the convention center, with a hot tub (really helps back), and walkable meals under $50. Any suggestions? I think I'd go Marriott, but I think they got rid of the pool. Omni is a bit further and has no free wi-fi.
First off, yes, coolest brother-in-law ever, mine just kept me on his YouTube Premium family account (not that I was complaining)
The Embassy Suites has everything you are looking for, but it might be just on the edge of your comfortable walking range? I love the Homewood Suites too, and yeah in general I try to stay at either Embassy Suites or Homewood Suites in general, both good options
Embassy checks everything, but is on your outer range I think. If you use the skywalk though you cut through the mall and there are (at least in the before times) benches scattered trough out you could use.
Question: is the Skywalk through the Mall open when the Mall itself is closed?
The Artsgarten skywalk definitely closes at some point, which I think is the one you are talking about? Maybe not, honestly, but since parts of the skywalk close at various times that probably means yes for your question too
From the Embassy, take the skywalk path through the artsgarden and go through the Hyatt instead of the mall. It's shorter, and in my experience has always been open late at night and very early mornings.
You can also walk down to the Union Station and catch a pretty direct skybridge to the ICCC/Stadium meeting point. I use either the skybridge or the walk across the plaza depending on the weather.
Unfortunately, the Plaza is due (is already?) to be demolished and a huge, ugly hotel put in its place, which will change migratory patterns.
_____________________________________ Alec Usticke, Fans of Gen Con Facebook Group
I just checked and my housing portal time for tomorrow is 2:57 pm EST. When does the housing lottery actually start? What I mean is, what time are the earliest lottery slots? And what I am driving at is, how likely am I to get a room via the housing lottery tomorrow? I have an event the attend that happens to begin at 3:00 pm EST, and am weighing the worth of arriving late in order to try to get a room via lottery.
The portal opens at Noon Eastern.
However, it's difficult to say what you can get. In a normal year, it would not look good for getting a connected downtown room. Last year, downtown rooms didn't sell out. Will this year be closer to normal?
I was unlucky enough to have a late time and rooms were completely sold out when i tried to book on time.
I just managed to get a room through the Housing portal - but it's ~7 Miles away. I've tried looking for information on if the hotels will have convention shuttles, but I seem to be overlooking it if it is there.
I'm hoping some openings will happen in the close/attached (via skywalk to mall or etc), but this is our first time to GenCon. Any advice on how often I should try and check portal to see if I can switch hotels? I've been checking every day from the housing reservation link - but I feel like a fool for stopping due to always seeing the 'Sold out Inventory' still on the Sold out advisory.
If anyone would care to give some guidance/advice I'd welcome it. Thank you
My first two years (2018/2019) I stayed quite far out of town and used Lyft to get back and forth, probably worked out similar or less cost to staying downtown (cheaper hotel) but obviously less flexible. I thought about renting a car but we didn't fancy driving on the wrong side of the road.