Alexis Park: Passive Aggressive / Cost prohibitive pricing?

[goathead]

It seemed to me as I was checking rates and availability at AP, that last year (which was my first), had significant reduced cost versus this year. My last year's receipt called out $129.00 for the basic room and this year we're up to $200.00 per night.

Somehow I don’t think that the latest in walkway lighting is going to be worth the additional cost. The draw of being onsite for me is the closed circuit access to the presentations. Although staying elsewhere is way cheaper (and from those I met, many do stay elsewhere) the hassle factor of getting into the talks or begging for TV rights in someone's room were easily outweighed by the convenience of a expensive room at the con's site; not so sure about it this year though.

So does the AP not want DC and is hiking prices to make it more appealing for them to host the event? To me, this seems passive aggressive. Something to the order of "We, the Alexis Park, reluctantly welcome all DefCon attendee$"

Does anyone have numbers of how much the room rates were from year to year at AP?

-goathead

[Gadsden]

So does the AP not want DC and is hiking prices to make it more appealing for them to host the event? To me, this seems passive aggressive. Something to the order of "We, the Alexis Park, reluctantly welcome all DefCon attendee$"

Does anyone have numbers of how much the room rates were from year to year at AP?

-goathead

If I am not mistaken, they sell out every year. I figure they are just attempting to squeeze every drop of cash out of the folks that they can. This will result in a couple possible outcomes: Either only folks with the extra cash can afford the rooms will stay there, or there will be a huge spike in floorspace room sharing. Since they will not allow a roll-away bed, I would suggest a $10-$20 blow-up mattress....

Either way, fuck 'em. After they shitty treatment they gave me last year, I really doubt I stay there this year. The St. Tropez is much nicer, and cheaper.

[Voltage Spike]

What is interesting is that the new owners do not raise the room rates for Defcon. I believe that last year the prices were $89 normal/$129 Defcon. Now it appears to be $199 every weekend.

I had one problem with the Alexis Park last year, but eight phone calls to them cleared up everything.

I think this year we'll be skipping Thursday night at the AP and staying on-site only while the CCTV provides additional incentive.

[renderman]

I think there will definatly be an increase in room sharing during con, but I doubt it will affect things overall.

Access to the CCTV is nice, but the biggest benifit I've always found was that all my crap was stored on-site and I did'nt have to haul it all around with me.

This past year I stayed at Ballys for 2 days before Con (not that I used the room much) at half the cost of the AP for twice the size room. I think I'll be doing that again and just moving into the AP for the minimal amount of time.

The msot incredulous thing I ever saw was last year. Book a room Tuesday - Sunday and get the $129 DC rate every night. Split the reservation to tues-thurs and thurs - sun and you get the cheaper $89 rate for the tues-thurs.

I definatly think that don't want us there after this year.

[big chopper]

I haven't stayed on site since the first year DEFCON was held at AP (was that DEFCON VII?)

The CCTV and poolgirl are the two things that would bring me back to AP this year. Otherwise, I'll either stay downtown or o the strip and get a car.

--bc,

[Tierra]

I did notice it's now $200/night regular, but a call to the AP revealed $140/night + tax for Defcon 13. I'm not sure how the numbers are all being communicated throughout the clerks and the system, but bitch at them enough, and you should be able to get that rate. That's still $10/night more, but since when have damage charges been less than the prior year for the same stuff (that's now one year older).

I've only heard that number from one phone call though, and I still haven't made my reservations just yet, so take it however you want, but if they're already charging $200/night now regularly for rooms, they must of stepped up the ladder a ways (with construction and staff changes), and might actually be worth the $140/night now.

[goathead]

I did notice it's now $200/night regular, but a call to the AP revealed $140/night + tax for Defcon 13. I'm not sure how the numbers are all being communicated throughout the clerks and the system, but bitch at them enough, and you should be able to get that rate. That's still $10/night more, but since when have damage charges been less than the prior year for the same stuff (that's now one year older).

I've only heard that number from one phone call though, and I still haven't made my reservations just yet, so take it however you want, but if they're already charging $200/night now regularly for rooms, they must of stepped up the ladder a ways (with construction and staff changes), and might actually be worth the $140/night now.

Rock on. Ill call them directly and see if i can work it. Thanks for the extra info.

[allentrace]

It seemed to me as I was checking rates and availability at AP, that last year (which was my first), had significant reduced cost versus this year. My last year's receipt called out $129.00 for the basic room and this year we're up to $200.00 per night.

Somehow I don’t think that the latest in walkway lighting is going to be worth the additional cost. The draw of being onsite for me is the closed circuit access to the presentations. Although staying elsewhere is way cheaper (and from those I met, many do stay elsewhere) the hassle factor of getting into the talks or begging for TV rights in someone's room were easily outweighed by the convenience of a expensive room at the con's site; not so sure about it this year though.

So does the AP not want DC and is hiking prices to make it more appealing for them to host the event? To me, this seems passive aggressive. Something to the order of "We, the Alexis Park, reluctantly welcome all DefCon attendee$"

Does anyone have numbers of how much the room rates were from year to year at AP?

-goathead

I am assuming that Jeff Moss signed an exclusivity deal with the AP and their parent company that rents out the entire park for the Defcon weekend had he not done that and only rented out the space for the talks / contests then I think that the rates would be less though I doubt that he had that option. Ohh well that is why you have several people stay in the room to cut costs.

[big chopper]

I am assuming that Jeff Moss signed an exclusivity deal...

I'm sure that one year I saw a (non DEFCON) wedding party trying to get settled on a Friday afternoon during DEFCON. Lot's of pinks and pastels, an interesting sight.

[octalpus]

I'm sure that one year I saw a (non DEFCON) wedding party trying to get settled on a Friday afternoon during DEFCON. Lot's of pinks and pastels, an interesting sight.

That was *many* years ago... the last couple years, we've been the only ones on premise. No more bible groups, no more weddings. Even the dance convention moved, to avoid our pre-con debaucherie.

[L0nd0]

That was *many* years ago... the last couple years, we've been the only ones on premise. No more bible groups, no more weddings. Even the dance convention moved, to avoid our pre-con debaucherie.

altough that time the cheerleaders were there that was fun.

[TwinVega]

Since they will not allow a roll-away bed, I would suggest a $10-$20 blow-up mattress....

No, they offer free cotts for con attendees...they leave them laying next to the pool and call them tanning beds... they even have extra sheet that they call towels...must be an AP thing...

[hackajar]

altough that time the cheerleaders were there that was fun.

LIES!!! ALL LIES!!!

Why do you torter me so?

[h3adrush]

yea i remember the dance people, all like 12-15 year old, prissy looking girls. That was funny. Was that 9 or 10? I don't remember.

[L0nd0]

yea i remember the dance people, all like 12-15 year old, prissy looking girls. That was funny. Was that 9 or 10? I don't remember.

well now thats a good question since alot of the con's are mostly a blur.