I'd say we should definitely try to get the king next to the hospitality suite - I don't think we've ever had an issue with the hosp room being too big...Bringing our own booze could save a fair bit of money so it should be more doable. The only thing that really concerns me is the noise issue, since in a warm place it may not be just smokers wanting to go outside a bit.

We are very talky people, and in the past when we've had an outdoor area we have not been quiet. I'd be concerned about this, especially once we add some booze. I say this as one of the people to potentially be unintentionally a noise problem.

Previously, hotels have been willing to move the beds out of the hospitality suite for us and put chairs in the "bedroom" instead. Do we know if this is an option here?

Funnily enough, I asked about that, and the response was "Might be possible, but probably unlikely, especially in June" so that's 90% a no, really. The lady's facial expression definitely suggested it wasn't likely.

A few things. Yeah, the ballroom was basic, but the high ceiling made a lot of difference. Didn't feel pokey. It's an attached building and we were told that we'd be able to be loud in there and it wouldn't be heard outside. The 'bring your own drink' thing was if we got a banquet license, which apparently is not hard to get.

The ballroom adjoins the hotel via an open area on the second floor that has typical outdoor tables & chairs. This would be the spot for smokers and the likely trouble spot for noise issues. We were told that it was one complaint gets a warning, 2 complaints gets us shut down. She said she's try to have the Buffistas fill the rooms closest to the ballroom but there's still no guarantee.

There's 2 shuttles, each with max occupancy of 12, and with the set schedule that means they aren't as useful as we'd hoped. However, given that this hotel is measurably cheaper ($119 vs $179 and $189) does mean there's more cash for rental cars.

I'd estimate the Hospitality Suite to be about 15% smaller than the SF one. The two rooms are about the same width, but they're a little shorter.

As for whether we'll want the door open, well that's down to the roulette wheel of Seattle weather.

Edit: The spelling, oh god, the spelling!

The 'bring your own drink' thing was if we got a banquet license, which apparently is not hard to get.

Apparently, you can buy the Temporary Banquet License for $10 at any liquor store. I find this strange, but that does allow us to bring in Fernet if we so choose.

Previously, hotels have been willing to move the beds out of the hospitality suite for us and put chairs in the "bedroom" instead. Do we know if this is an option here?

Yeah, she said they can take out the couches and put in a conference table, but taking out the beds seemed to not be anything like a possibility, from her face.

We are very talky people, and in the past when we've had an outdoor area we have not been quiet. I'd be concerned about this, especially once we add some booze. I say this as one of the people to potentially be unintentionally a noise problem.

Yeah, and it's true that in June, it's likely that the weather will be very nice outside, especially in the evening. So it's something--a danger that prom could get shut down at 10pm (I think we've mostly always had the danger that the hospitality suite could have noise complaints)

I know affordability is a major factor, but I don't like the idea of risking the prom being closed down. If they're bringing up the possibility now while still courting us, it says to me there won't be any leeway at all once we're actually there.

Well, I think the phrase "second warning, you're closed down" should tell you all about how little leeway we have.

However, until the other hotels have been inspected, there's really no way to judge if this is a risk we will have to accept. After all, the other hotels could be more expensive AND more restrictive. We'll see.

FWIW, when I was in high school we held conventions at that Crowne Plaza every year. Granted I'm sure some things are different now because I haven't been in high school since Buffy was, but we were always a noisy bunch. I think we only reserved the ballroom for dances until midnight and we had a decent amount of supervision, but if they put up with hundreds of high school kids crammed 4 to a room and kept asking us back year after year they can't be too strict. Course I haven't lived in Seattle for a few years now, so things may have changed, but it was a beautiful place at the time and a good value, luxury-wise, for the price.

I have no opinions about ballroom space other than yay, ballroom space. But I did want to mention that, for the first time in several years, I'll be coming to the F2F. Which is also very yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay. I haven't seen most of you folks in far too long!

(Thanks Cass for reminding me when it was. < 3 )