Accommodation

[arysteia.livejournal.com]

A perennial bugbear, it remains a regret we don't have an all-in-one space like the sinpozium venue in Sydney, but we do what we can.

Hotel Option:

If you move quickly, and you're willing/able to splash out a little more this year, I heartily recommend the Brentwood. (I've never actually stayed there, before anyone makes me sign in blood, but I have been to functions and enjoyed them.) Do twins and triples, but in each case you can pack in an extra person (ie triple and quad) if two of you are willing to share a queen bed. About $50-80 pp depending on combos and packing. Big advantage: literally across the road and down a wee lane from the venue. Also, free pick-up from airport, so save on taxis.

The Brentwood



Motel Option:

The 747

Odd combinations, twins definitely, double + single, also trundle beds available which makes me lol, but may be an option for those of you who are pixie sized -- I know some are! About $30-40 pp depending on combos and packing. Looks small but cosy. Big advantage: literally across the road and round the corner from the venue.

Hostel Options:

X-Base

Nomads

The two nicest hostels in Wellington. Full range of rooms, from dorms to en suites. $30-50 pp depending on combos. Both are on the direct bus route to Kilbirnie. Many of you have stayed there, many times. ;-p

Feel free to use the comments on this post to discuss options/organise roommates. And of course to ask any accommodation related questions. :D

ETA: Many thanks to dewey3067 for organising and booking the hotel rooms. Check out full details in comments.

Comments

I can book for a group

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

I'm good to go in with whomever. Of my previous roomies, I assume Mab is up for it *g*, Pru is a local so I assume not, and no clue about Jasmine. (hello- are you out there?) So who needs a bed?

I'm quite happy to book rooms with my credit card for a group and have folks pay me back on the weekend. As long as the place fully refunds cancellations I can even overbook in case someone isn't completely sure and cancel before the day.

My first choices would be either the Brentwood or X-Base:

Brentwood looks like they want either a deposit or credit card so that's fine. I can do that. Triple room with 3 people would be $53/night. If two shared the queen bed it would be $40. (website mentions quad rooms of 4 single beds but it doesn't come up on booking - I can call and check if they have them)

X-Base - Mab, Pru, Jasmine and I have been there the last two years and it is clean and convenient but a bit noisy at night. Closer to $30/night if I recall but no free shuttle to airport so that adds cost. I'll just bring my earplugs if folks want to stay here again - It's fine with me.


But also willing to hear other options.

Re: I can book for a group

[shihadchick.livejournal.com]

I'm leaning towards going for the hotel, too. Hrm. My credit card can also handle booking deposit if necessary.

(And hee, thanks for commenting in the other post -- this is what I get for opening multiple tabs and not checking which one I'm commenting in. *g*)

Re: I can book for a group

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

That's two then... Let's give it a couple of days and do a headcount to see if there is a consensus.

Re: I can book for a group

[shihadchick.livejournal.com]

Excellent plan! :D

Re: I can book for a group

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Hi - it's been pretty quiet. Any word from the Auckland contingent? I'm going to book a couple of rooms tomorrow, we can always adjust it later but I'd like to lock something in.

So maybe a rough count - how many people from up north do you think? And Fri & Sat or are there also some Sunday stayers?

(I'll be there all three nights and I'm happy to have the booking in my name)

Re: I can book for a group

[shihadchick.livejournal.com]

Hi! I think the rest of them are still not sure where/if they'll need hotel accomodation, but I am right now looking at being there Fri night, Sat night, Sun night. Will check in with the others when I see them and get back to you! Also, that would be super helpful, thank you. :)

Re: I can book for a group

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Yay! Just an estimate on the optimistic side would be wonderful.

Re: I can book for a group

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Done - please check comment (http://get--together.livejournal.com/70404.html?thread=700676#t700676) below for details. I'll update when you get specifics from the other Lindas.

Re: I can book for a group

[sethra2000.livejournal.com]

I'd be willing to do a quad or triple at the brentwood. Let me know if there are any others and I can also make a booking if we have more than one group.

PS: I'd most likely be flying in on the Friday night after work and out on the Sunday Night. No leave left.

Re: I can book for a group

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Okay! I'll mark you down. I'm going to book a couple of (several?) rooms tomorrow and I can always cancel one if we don't need it.

Re: I can book for a group

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Done - please check comment (http://get--together.livejournal.com/70404.html?thread=700676#t700676) below for details.

Re: I can book for a group

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

I'm happy with a block booking either spot, but obviously the Brentwood sounds very handy. :-)

Re: I can book for a group

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

\o/ Sunday as well or only Fri/Sat?

Re: I can book for a group

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

Just Fri/Sat, thanks. :-)

Re: I can book for a group

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Done - please check comment (http://get--together.livejournal.com/70404.html?thread=700676#t700676) below for details.

[scarletscarlet.livejournal.com]

*kind-of* an accommodation-related question - how early/late do things tend to start/run? I live in Jville/Churton Park and am public transport only, so am wondering if the cost of four bus trips a day on two different bus lines and the time in transit might not actually make it worth staying in Kilbirnie or town for a couple of nights :).

Though if someone's driving in from out of town and is too short of funds to stay in a backpackers, I have a sofabed (and possibly couch it someone is pretty short) I can offer up in exchange for trips to the venue :).

[arysteia.livejournal.com]

Good question!

The 'formal' (lol) part of the proceedings starts at 10am and finishes at 6.30/7ish. We then head off to dinner locally (ie in Kilbirnie) which depending on how fabulous everyone is feeling might run another two hours I suppose? (Obviously that is not compulsory!) And occasionally proceedings continue at someone or other's house, but that's usually the more mobile types, *g*. If enough out of towners wind up at the same hostel, then obviously dvd watching etc takes place on an ad hoc basis.

[scarletscarlet.livejournal.com]

Great, thank you! Could well be worth staying closer, then :).

[arysteia.livejournal.com]

Heya,

Dewey is looking at making a preliminary booking today for out of towners. Any more thoughts on whether you'd want to go in? (They're looking at three triples I think...)

[scarletscarlet.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads up but nah, that one's out of my budget range. I shall bus, and it will be all good :).

[labellementeuse.livejournal.com]

Just cruising by spying on the out-of-towners - if you come & do end up wanting to stay for a dinner or something else that runs later than you can catch buses, I live quite nearby and can provide a clean and reasonably comfortable* mattress-on-the-floor sitch so you don't need to worry about evening buses. Hot & cold running wireless. Not wheelchair or mobility disability friendly, but if you're TAB should be all good. I will identify myself on the Saturday at some point so you know to grab me if you're keen :)

*I've slept on it happily but some people complain about it being too firm

[scarletscarlet.livejournal.com]

Ooh, lovely offer, thank you! I'll bring an overnight bag on the saturday *just in case*, then :). I've no mobility/pain issues for stuff like stairs or firm mattresses, so all good.

Yay, options! Much appreciated :).

Booked 2 rooms

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Okay! We are booked at Brentwood for 2 rooms – Triples with queen and 2 singles (quads were already gone ). I should get there on Friday about 1:30 – 2:00 so can check in and have also held it with my credit card. If you get there before me it is under my RL name – Linda White.

They are giving me the conference rate of $155/room for 3 persons in a room. (We can slip another two people in if some don't mind sharing the queen bed.) These rooms are upstairs - about 20 steps - and no lift. Probably the reason for the cheaper rate. Let me know if this is a problem (email: dewey at orcon dot net dot nz).

On my list as confirmed:

Dewey – Fri, Sat, Sun
Claire - Fri, Sat, Sun
Mab – Fri, Sat
Sethra – Fri, Sat
Blademistress – days?
Stickmarionette – days?
Total = 6 persons

Undecided :
Cross-stitchery
Missiedith

If I missed anyone, yell, as it sounds like the hotel is very busy that weekend.

So at 3/room the rate is $51.60 each night. If we fit in four per then I assume the rate would be $38 per night (unless they decide to charge an extra person charge – if they found out *g*). Anyway – in that range.

The hotel website advertises free airport pickup so there's that savings:
"We have a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport that operates 24 hours. For a pick up please call us on 0508 273 689 once you have collected your luggage and we will pick you up outside the Arrivals Terminal (downstairs). Drop offs can be arranged with Reception."

Questions? Sound alright?

Re: Booked 2 rooms

[shihadchick.livejournal.com]

That sounds fabulous and you are a MARVEL, thank you. :DDD Blade and Stick will be availing themselves of the hotel room as well, though I need to check with them which days -- we might only have 2-3 of us on Sunday night? I'll let you know or prod them to comment asap. :D

Re: Booked 2 rooms

[blademistress.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

Stickmarionette and I are staying Friday-Monday so booking until Sunday works fine for me, I can just book the two of us a separate room for the Monday.

Re: Booked 2 rooms

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Great! I'll put you two down for Fri, Sat and Sunday then.

I'm getting ready for it to be now - and it is months yet...

Re: Booked 2 rooms

[arysteia.livejournal.com]

Given cash is an issue, and assuming you don't much care if I don't have time to change the sheets, you're very welcome to stay at Villa Victoria Monday night. I'll be dropping Alasen and Meelie at the airport at lunchtime.

Re: Booked 2 rooms

[blademistress.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that would be awesome. Assuming we don't much care is an A+ assumption. We're going to actually try and see something of Wellington this time! It's only the ... fourth time we've come down together and if we don't see Te Papa or something this time I think it might actually be a crime.

Re: Booked 2 rooms

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

Sounds good. I will see everyone on the Fri evening. :-)

Re: Booked 2 rooms

[arysteia.livejournal.com]

Hey D, just a heads up.

Angel-a (you won't have met her, last came 2008) has just responded saying she's keen to come, and also interested in sharing accomm. She sounded definite for Sat, poss for Fri. Have you had a chance to speak to Jasmine yet? Depending on her and Elaine it may be best to get an extra twin for Sethra and Ange on the Sat, given they are the shortest stayers. They can afford it for one night. They've known each other forever too, so good on that score. :-)

Re: Booked 2 rooms

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Jasmine is a yes for I assume Fri Sat and Sun and Elaine posted to her LJ that she could come for Fri and Sat.

Thanks for the suggestion - I was trying to figure out different combinations in my head as we're full house! So your thought of a single is a timely one as Saturday numbers are too many for 2 rooms! I'll contact the hotel and post an update as to what I find.

Updated hotel list

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Okay - I've added an extra room for Saturday so we're set.

Friday we will have to fit four in each of the two rooms but it would be just for that one night. Saturday we can spread out to three rooms as I got another triple at $155 (cheaper than a twin). Sunday no problem.

If Friday is a problem, or there is *any* chance of another person coming then let me know now and I can check with the booking desk on Monday. (And make burnt offerings that they have another room... )

Roll call so far:
Dewey - Fri Sat Sun
Jasmine - Fri Sat Sun?
Mab - Fri Sat
Blademistress - Fri Sat Sun
Stickmarionette - Fri Sat Sun
Claire - Fri Sat Sun
Elaine - Fri Sat
Sethra - Sat
Angel_a - Fri Sat
Totals - Fri:8 Sat:9 Sun:5

[sethra2000.livejournal.com]

I've only been able to book flights for Saturday morning arriving and Sunday evening leaving (could only afford grab a seat prices), so I'll be there for the Saturday night. If there's any issue with that let me know and I'll book my own room.

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

No problem - thanks for the early heads up. We also have a few undecideds so numbers are still in progress. I just wanted to lock in *something* as the hotel was getting filled up.

I'll mark you down for just Saturday and we'll sort out who goes where later!

[sethra2000.livejournal.com]

Cheers :0)

[angel-a.livejournal.com]

Is it too late to get on the Hotel bandwagon for Friday and Saturday night?

:)

[arysteia.livejournal.com]

Nope, I've let Dewey know. Obvs let us know asap once you know when you'll be arriving. :-)

[dewey3067.livejournal.com]

Not too late I should think - I've put you down for Fri and Sat - now fingers crossed I can get another room for Saturday night! I'll post an update when I know more...


EDITED - I was able to book an extra room for Saturday so we should be fine. It will be nice to meet you!