I used to work in an office out of the Hotel Pennsylvania and would like to vote a big fat NO on it for the reasons Tom has already mentioned. It's icky.

The Brooklyn Marriott might be a good option - it's a chain so they'll definitely have group rates, I can vouch for it's being clean and comfy, and it's across the street from two stations that serve almost every single subway line between them.

The Brooklyn Marriott is a lovely hotel (one of the many places in NYC I've stayed at).

On the down side, if we go to NYC... you all could meet my ex.

Do I get to be mean to him? Cause that could be fun!

I have also stayed at the Hotel Penn and vote heck no on that.

I ask again...Baltimore? Lots of buffistas in driving or train range, cheap airport, some interesting museums/aquarium for an outing, a couple fun shopping hoods...

Baltimore and Philly both sound wonderful.

DC we already did and while that doesn't automatically eliminate it, it seems a bummer to repeat when there are so many other options.

I kind of feel that way about New York, too-- for me, it's not so much a special "place," although that would go back to what javachik said about it F2F being about the people. New York with you guys would undoubtedly be a much different New York than what I'm accustomed to.

All cities nominated will be put on the initial poll.

I've had a blast at the big cities we've gone to, I've had an equal blast at the smaller ones. I've not been to RI since I was 8 and that would be awesome, as would Philly where I've never been or Balitmore where I've been for one night.

This post brought to you by where my 'Fistas go, so goeth the Miracleborns.

Do I get to be mean to him? Cause that could be fun!

No, but you won't want to. He's eccentric and smart and fun. We broke up because he came out, not because of anything bad. He's still one of my best friends.

There's really no downside to Buffistas meeting him. He knows about you guys. I just feel weird when my worlds collide.

We broke up because he came out, not because of anything bad.

oh, that's fine then.

I think Baltimore is lovely, there's lots of stuff to do and it's quite close to both DC and NYC. (according to my driving experience. YMMV) However the summer weather thing is an issue....june through september can be really sticky and disgusting. But as long as the major locations have A/C and there's a pool...