Thank you, Toddson. It looks like a lovely hotel. Sadly, government contractors don't qualify for Hyatt's government rate, so it's not an option. (It's nice that they spell that out on their website, though. I've been to places that only mentioned it when I checked out. Finance was not happy.)

Calli, I live too far out for dinner or drinks to be a good idea, but I can easily Metro up to your area for lunch one day.

Can't really recommend much in the way of hotels in my area. There's a Holiday Inn at -- I think -- 5th and C, SW, that's about two blocks from L'Enfant Plaza Station. From which it's easy to Metro to the Convention Center. But I don't know how nice the hotel is, and it's in a neighborhood of government offices, so there isn't much there at night.

Thanks, Fred. I'll check out the hotel rec. And grabbing lunch one of the days would be great!

Calli, there's also a Marriott on 12th Street at H - they might be better.

DCistas, especially those in MD, I have finally confirmed my business trip, if anyone is up for getting together during the week next week.

I should arrive at the Courtyard Marriot in Rockville around 6:30-7:00 pm on Tuesday (March 2). My meeting is 10am-11:15 on Wednesday. At some point that afternoon, I head out to the Eastern shore and then make my way back the next morning sometime. My flight out of Dulles is at 2:45 on Thursday.

I'm assuming my sales rep will be willing to take me out to dinner, but I could bag that to do a dinner thing out in the MD burbs that night.

Or do lunch on Wednesday or early Thursday. I know that during the week is not great timing for most people, but I will be renting a car so I will be mobile and happy to meet people wherever.

I haven't been around for about a month. Y'all sure talk a lot!

Is next year the mid-west? I've been checking routes on JetBlue and they have numerous direct flights to Austin. I vote Austin for the next mid-west circuit.

Frommer's Budget Travel mag has a number of articles about NY, plus a snap guide.

[link] - NYC Hotels.

Snap guide: [link]

[link]

Hotel Beacon Price From $179

'Hood Upper West Side, a leafy, brownstone-lined residential neighborhood, near Central Park and subways.

The Gist The posh Hotel Beacon has earth-tone rooms with modern conveniences like flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations. Online reviews generally praised the appealing neighborhood and the convenience of in-room kitchenettes (Fairway grocery store is across the street). It's the official hotel of the adjacent Beacon Theatre.

Free Wi-Fi? Yes.

Credit Cards Accepted AmEx, Mastercard, Visa.

Thanks for Sharing: Reader Richard Frank wrote that the Beacon is a good value and has large rooms and suites that make it especially convenient for families.

Hotel's direct website: [link]

erin, I may not have rehearsal that Saturday, so my afternoon may be free for stuff. If we do have rehearsal, you are welcome to come watch.

Heard back from the Weehawken Sheraton with some early numbers.

Hotel Rooms: Until your dates are narrowed down a little further, I can offer you a range of rates between $129-$159. Once you are able to narrow down your dates, I will be able to provide a more accurate quote.

She also mentions that:

the only dates I would caution you to is June 19/20. This is a high demand weekend due to the Red Bull Air Race being held at Liberty State Park.

I have much more information. If anyone would like to see menus, floor plans, hosp. suite/party room possibilities let me know.

I'm just happy we're getting one possibility in! If there is ANY chance we can go, I need to get the dates/place in the next couple of weeks. I have to book our tickets home for the family reception, and I've been waiting for a decision here to see if it might fall on one side or the other of that weekend and therefore be a possibility for us.

Not that it's all about me, of course. Just one case.