Just so's everyone has an idea of relative costs, the hotel room prices I've been getting quoted range from $89 a night to $139 a night.

The $89 place Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel is on the far east side of town, which really doesn't have a lot to recommend itself. The hotel is very pleasant, we had my mother's memorial party there and they did a good job with the catering. Just, it's far out and there's not much around it in the way of food/shopping/etc. The number 6 bus runs right in front, though, and that will take you straight downtown.

The two places I like the best for location are the:

Best Western InnTowner. It's on the west side of the campus, within walking distance of State Street (about 25 minutes), the Monroe street area (about 15 minutes) and University Station (about 10 minutes.) All nice shopping areas with plenty of good restaurants to recommend themselves. Room rates are $109 per room, flat rate up to four people per room. The Highland Club (which is part of the hotel) has fancier rooms starting at $149. Of note, this is a non-smoking hotel.

Best Western Inn on the Park. Right on Capitol Square, which anchors one end of State Street. Close to all the museums, bunches of restaurants and stores, bars and pubs galore and on Saturday a huge ass Farmer's Market that is set up all the way around the Square. Rooms are running $119 for a single (1 bed, 1-2 people), $139 for a double (2 beds, 1-2 people.) We had one of my high school reunions here. Can't say I remember much of it, but it's nice enough and the location is prime.

There's a third hotel I like, but the location isn't optimal. It's the Candlewood Suites. It's in Fitchburg, which is an up and coming part of town, so this hotel is fairly new. Rooms are $109, single and double. It's got a very good restaurant, I was quite impressed the one time I was there for dinner. It's close to some newer shops, more restaurants and a brew pub. I'm not familiar with the bus routes, so I have no idea how hard it would be to get to the downtown area for fun and games.

I've gotten a few more proposals, but I'm not at home so I don't have them handy. The ones I listed are the ones that I've printed out hard copies of the info for side by side comparison.

Oo, I'm loving the Best Western on the Park. So cool that it's in such a great location, too!

My guess on Houston hotel prices (based on some googling) is that to stay within literal walking distance of the Galleria would probably involve at least $100/night.

However, I also think you could easily get something very close (either a shuttle ride or a cheap cab ride away) for $75 or $80.

Also, the Galleria has an ice-skating rink.

My cousin lives in Houston. I could drag him out and stun you all with the vagaries of genetics. He's 6'7".

Another gorgeous Detroit hotel is this one: [link]

Regular AAA rates are about $135 for a double.

The Best Western Normandy Inn [link] on 8th Street, is $99 per night, has a suite we can use as hospitality, a room we can use for Prom, and complimentary wireless access. It's pretty close to All Things Downtown.

The Minneapolis Marriott is $135 per night [link] (non-group rate), has a hosp. suite and a Prom room, and complimentary wireless. It is Right Downtown, just off of the light rail line from the airport.

In St. Paul, there is the St. Paul Hilton, which is $119 per weekend night [link] and has the above amenities. St. Paul is the type of city that rolls up the sidewalks at night, but the daytime activities (lots of art galleries, museums, many examples of WPA architecture) are numerous.

Near the airport (and therefore, the Mall of America), we have the Embassy Suites at $119/night [link] and the Ramada at $109/night [link] Each of these hotels has the rooms, the wireless, and free shuttle service to the MoA and the airport (from which (continued...)

( continues...) you can grab the light rail and go in to Minneapolis).

I haven't contacted any of these properties about a group rate, so all of the rates above are retail.

I could drag him out and stun you all with the vagaries of genetics. He's 6'7".

single?

Heh. He's the perennial bachelor, but apparently he's been dating one girl long enough to bring her home to Connecticut for the holidays. Seriously, shocked the hell out of all of us. He's...42? I think. Anyway. Producer for Fox Sports, so he's on the road all the time; hence, not very good at relationships.