I have been having a strange conversation with the hotel. I realized when I printed out the confirmation that it said "smoking." I called the reservations people, who said that, while it does say in my reservation that I requested "no smoking," they can't guarantee a nonsmoking room because I'm part of a group. The person I originally made the reservation with didn't say any such thing.

WTF? Has anyone else run into this?

Ginger, yes. I originally booked a king room, but wanted to change to a double/double. I was told that they couldn't make any changes to my reservation because I was part of a group and the group rate expired. If they did make changes, it would knock the rate up to the regular rate.

They ended up putting a note in the record requesting a change to double on check-in.

V. strange.

They say weird things don't they? But all the rooms are non-smoking, but with balconies, from last I talked to them.

I did, too, Ginger. I thought Deb talked to Lilibeth about it and was assured we'd all get non-smoking rooms, but I think the folks in reservations just don't have a clue.

Eggs Benedict (Hec made me hungry):

Perkins, could you put me down for a mani-pedi, I hope?

WTF? Has anyone else run into this?

Ginger, I ran into this when I booked months ago. Deb gave the following instructions for the fix:

Here's what you do:

1. Call the HICC directly. Phone number is 415.626.6103

2. Ask for Inhouse Reservations

3. Tell them Buffistas and give them the dates. Tell them your preference.

4. If anyone experiences any difficulty, let me know. Don't suffer in silence. Making this as easy and as stress-free an experience as possible is part of the point-person gig, but I can't do it if no one tells me about a problem, okay?

We are now at 13 people, and climbing for nail appointments. What I would like to suggest is seeing if we can extend the range of appointments and some of us (those not going to Alcatraz, most likely), tack our appointments at the end. We can still go and hang out with people (with wine!) (or maybe absinthe), but then we stand a better chance of actually being able to fit everyone in.

What do people think, and who would be willing to go later?

Sounds like an eminently practical plan, Perkins. I'd like to reserve an earlier appt. since I'm with the Alcatraz peeps.

Sparky, thanks for that! Ima give them call.

edited to credit the right person. duh.

Since I'm not an Alcatraz-goer, I'd be happy to take a later appt.

I would be early Perky as I am going to jail.