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 )

The Hood Canal bridge, connecting the Port Townsend area to the Seattle area is closing from May 15 to June 30 this year.

FYI.

Sorry, y'all, didn't manage to hit the other two hotels before leaving for DC for a week, as I got hit with a cold instead. :( Am arrived in DC tonight (complete with annoying plane delays) and hacking up a lung (grrrr, argh, NOT the vacay I had in mind). Will do the hotel-looking when I get back.

The Hood Canal bridge, connecting the Port Townsend area to the Seattle area is closing from May 15 to June 30 this year.

Well, unless a Buffista is staying in the area for awhile, it would be an odd choice for the F2F. It's a long round trip. You'd miss so much hugging & smooshing.

Well, I asked my boss today and she said I could (probably) have the 18th and 19th and 22nd and 23rd off - I initially was hoping for, er, 7 days, which was a bit optimistic, but she's going to try to let me leave on Wednesday - which is going to mean jetlaggadelic, but should mean, if my travel agent can pull it together, that I CAN HAZ F2F.

crosses fingers