Hotel reservations to open October 6!
We thank everyone for having been so patient. Now we are excited to announce that Anthrocon attendees may begin to make their hotel reservations starting on October 6. Rooms will be available at the Westin Convention Center Hotel just across the street from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, and at the Doubletree Pittsburgh just two blocks away. The Omni William Penn already had a group in this year – sorry! – although they are looking forward to having us back in 2010. Both hotels will require a down-payment of one night’s room and tax when the reservation is made; this will be applied to your bill when you check out. If you cancel the reservation for any reason, though, that down payment is not refundable, so Anthrocon recommends that you do not make a reservation until you are certain that you can attend. Also, there is a new and very important policy that you must read and agree to prior to making your reservation. To review that policy and to reserve a room at either hotel after October 6, click here.
Excellent to hear. I was looking forward to booking on the 1st (if I read the last thread correctly), but I can certainly wait a few more days. 
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My Anthrocon 2008 montage video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xfIYmueKeI
You can book on the 6th, as stated above.
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Tom Brady/Duncan da Husky
Artists Alley and Con Store Manager
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I understood that upon reading the initial topic... 
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My Anthrocon 2008 montage video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xfIYmueKeI
Crap, need monies now....
About the non-refundable deposit.
Is it like last year where you don't get a refund after a certain date, or is it non-refundable even if you change in let's say December?
The deposit is Non-refundable after the moment you make the reservation.
There is no safety time when you can cancel and have it refunded.
If you are not sure if you will be able to make it to the con, don't reserve a room until you are. Unless of course you are willing to part with that money without actually attending the con. Donation to the hotel maybe?
Kage posted the link to the pertinent info in his post.. but I will re-post the link here http://www.anthrocon.org/hotel
Does anyone know what other hotels are in the area? My mom doesn't want to have to reserve early to get a spot.
This is addressed in our FAQ: http://www.anthrocon.org/faq/hotel#cheaper_hotels
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We highly recommend that you stay at one of the Anthrocon Hotels. The group rate given us is a significant dicount from their regular prices. We anticipate that between the rooms offered at the Westin and Doubletree, and with the deposit requirement, we'll be slower enough in filling these rooms to give people a chance to reserve later on. Don't wait *too* long, though!
There WAS a article on the site that had a list of hotels that were nearby but not officially endorsed by AC. This was provided when all rooms in the Westin, Omni, and doubletree were full. But Giza (or someone else) seemed to have removed it. Either way, as Chiaroscuro said, its highly recommended you stay in the Westin or the doubletree then the other places. Aside from having no group rate discount, none of the other hotels are within walking distance to the convention center. Unless your willing to hoof it over there, your going to either spend a lot of money on taking a bus/taxi, or a headache trying to find a parking spot. I cant say if it will take longer for the hotels to fill though. Usually the Westin is filled up to the max sometime in January or February, or so I read. That should give you plenty of time to arrange plans to go there.
The article in question added before last year's con when both the Westin, Omni, and Doubletree sold out. It was since removed as this is not yet the case for Anthrocon 2009. If that changes, then we'll post it again.
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Arg, I still have to send out my dealer's registration!
So much work to do. I tell ya, the lab work is killing me. Probably literally from all the chemicals I'm inhaling. X_x
Oh, and once again my bro can't make it. His summer camp job will be starting that very weekend. :/
Potential problems.
You can't *change* your dates that you reserved your room for once the reservation is committed. You have to "cancel" and make a "new" one, which may entail getting slammed with the down-payment, TWICE.
Someone should check on that if that will be the case or not because if that is the case, then its useless, as it does not contribute to fixing the problem that the down payment solves.
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I don't believe that's right. If you need to adjust your reservation you need to call the hotel and talk to the reservation people directly. I've adjusted my reservations in the past many times without trouble, even when deposits are required, so try again.
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David M Stein, DI
"Not Unlike the Toaster, I Control the Darkness"
-- Abby Normal, "You Suck"
Aaaaaaannd Out of Suites at the Westin.. actually at least as of this (oct 8th) morning... Congrats on passing the status of "Happening" to the status of "Phenomena"
The Westin Convention Center Hotel
Located just across the street from the Convention Center and easily accessible in any weather, this is Anthrocon's primary hotel, and hosts much of our programming. Note that the Westin is a 100% non-smoking hotel.
Rooms $115; suites available in early 2009.
Click here to reserve at the Westin.
From the hotels and venue page. Bold is mine.
That is unless I'm mistaken, which I may be since I'm not on staff or anything.
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My Anthrocon 2008 montage video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xfIYmueKeI
OOOO.. I am mad at the hotel, they said they were just sold out.. is there some penalty for upgrading? B/c I specifically asked and they said "none available" not "none available until..."
The reservation agents don't have Anthrocon's contract sitting in front of them all day. The only information they have is what is on the reservation computer. They put in "suite" and the computer says "not available." Their system doesn't say when they'll be available, since that information is not stored there. Once an exact date has been determined, then it might say, but until then, it only knows that it doesn't have any suites to offer.
Apart from the space...is there any other advantage of having a suite over a regular room...I mean, for the purposes of this convention, of course
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When you give up on yourself, you give up on those who believe in you. Always be true to yourself and never let anyone define who you are.
For the convention? Not really. It's mostly a matter of personal preference. And budget!
Well that's certainly good to know. I already made a reservation and didn't want to have the less desirable lodging. ^_^
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When you give up on yourself, you give up on those who believe in you. Always be true to yourself and never let anyone define who you are.
I already made a reservation and didn't want to have the less desirable lodging. ^_^
I myself have stayed at the Omni the last two years, but the first year in Pittsburgh, I stayed at the Westin. I can state from that experience that I found the ordinary, standard rooms to be clean, well-kept, comfortable, and quiet; the rooms were better, much better appointed than the ones I've had in Philadelphia, and - in my case - the two beds were comfy and easy to sleep in. We had 4 people in the room, two taking "crash space" on the floor - and they were comfortable, as well.
Suites come in different sizes and luxury; for one or two people, the refinement really isn't worth the extra fee, but if you were to host a party, or plan a business meeting, or screen a video; or, if you are with a "group", say of friendly, affiliated fursuit tailors, or an artist group, sitting up well into the wee hours doing "homework" - that is, furiously drawing up badges and sketchbooks which people had commissioned during the day - than a suite might very well suit you.
These things are often done quite well, using time-proven fannish innovations, from the standard rooms - but having the extra space of a suite, extra "perching spots", a table, perhaps a small sink and refrigerator for a wet bar or refreshment counter, may be worth it to you. I think the web-site for the Westin details the different features of the different suites.
Ah, that makes total sense! I understand what you're saying. Although I am going as an artist, I'm just taking my sister along so I think I'll have space enough to get commissions done (hopefully I'll have some ^___^ ). But, I definitely see what you mean. Maybe if I make some friends here, I'll go next year with the suite and get something set up. Thanks so much for your help
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When you give up on yourself, you give up on those who believe in you. Always be true to yourself and never let anyone define who you are.
I already have the money ready for the reservation and registration. I look forward to attending my first con.