I'm nailing down which hotel we're going to have Protospiel South 2011 at. Regardless of where we have the convention, It's down to:
La Quinta
Rooms for two adults @ $100 per night. Costs ~$200 for two people to stay two nights.
Near The Domain and Arboretum. Several really decent dining options a short walk away. Many nifty dining, shopping, and entertainment options a short drive away. Downtown Austin is a moderate drive away (~30 minutes).
Cost per out-of town attendee: $130
North Austin Plaza
Rooms for two adults @ $40 to $45 per night + tax. Costs ~$90 for two people to stay two nights.
Near I-35. Closer to downtown. A few okay dining options are a short walk away. Many dining options a short drive away. Downtown Austin is a medium drive away (~15 minutes).
Cost per out-of-town attendee: ~$70
Summary:
The LaQuinta is a nicer hotel overall and is in a nicer neighborhood. However, it is farther from downtown. It is also ~$60 more expensive than the North Austin Plaza. The North Austin Plaza is an "okay" hotel. It is near a slightly "edgy" neighborhood.
The Question:
Should I go with the North Austin Plaza and keep the price of the convention lower for out-of-towners, or should I go with the La Quinta, a nicer experience, and a higher price?
Opinions?
