Growler
Got Soot Vendor
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2003
- Location
- Millersport, Ohio
- TDI
- Schmutz, 2015 Golf Sportwagen DSG & Schnurren, 2001 Golf GL 2 door 5M
Color me excited. A road trip to Texas might be just the thing my boys & I need.
We have had success doing our thing at a Hyatt Regency (2009) and a Marriott with an attached golf club (2012). You'd be surprised what hotels will let you do for a three-day rental. Don't dismiss the big chains right off the bat.In my short experience, what has been done at Fest locations may be a bit outside of what a major hotel chain may allow. For instance, vendors who attend usually set up tents and keep them up for the duration of the event. Also, that Embassy Suite shows daily parking fees and that would be a problem with all the cars and getting a spot for the judging of the various car entries. I'm not saying it can't be done at a large hotel, but a smaller, boutique place may give us more flexibility with events, breakout technical sessions, the silent auction, etc. A lot of the Fest activities are actually conducted outdoors, weather permitting, of course.
Just internet scanning the small resort places between San Antonio and Austin, I saw about two dozen smaller ranch type facilities that have accommodations for large groups. When Mike gets back from his trip later next week, maybe the three of us could meet somewhere (around Austin) and discuss possibilities? I'm OK driving up to meet you two anytime.
Rooms are a bit pricey, though...Here is a place you should check out. I would suggest something no more than hour from the airport.Good luck in your search
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/aussh-renaissance-austin-hotel/
However, room rates are also highly negotiable especially when you are negotiating for 100 rooms (more or less). You never know until you try.Rooms are a bit pricey, though...
In the sailing world, we call this "local knowledge". Thanks!That place is in a huge mall area (Arboretum). Parking would be tricky at best for a show, especially on the weekend.
Looks like a nice place.Throwing this one out there. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, Hyatt Lost Pines Road, Cedar Creek, TX
https://www.google.com/maps/place/H...7d16accedeb!8m2!3d30.164805!4d-97.44445?hl=en
Close enough to Austin but a more country setting. Seems to be plenty of parking.
Hotel details
Nestled on 405 acres along the Colorado River, this expansive resort is adjacent to the 1,100-acre nature park McKinney Roughs.
The rooms feature minimalist, nature-inspired decor and have minifridges, flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. Some have private balconies or patios, and suites have separate living areas with sofabeds.
Among the many outdoor recreational activities are golf, horseback riding, tennis, archery and river sports. There is also a water park with a 1,000-foot river, 2 whirlpools and a sandy beach. A secluded spa offers water views. There are 9 restaurants and bars, some featuring live entertainment.
Free Wi-Fi Free breakfast Outdoor pool Laundry service Kid-friendly Restaurant
Airport shuttle Hot tub Bar
Google shows the rooms at $167. Maybe they will deal some.
https://lostpines.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/our-hotel.html
To anyone planning a TDIFest:Let all of us try not to back seat planners. I'm a little guilty of this. I just don't want them overwhelmed early in the process.
As Best in Show winner 3 o the last 4 Fest’s (2 different Cars) I agree with out in the Country Sturgeon Bay was one of the most Beautiful locations for a Fest!A big downtown hotel will have only a parking garage. I don't know about the rest of you put Shine & Show in a parking garage? Not for me.
The '16 Fest location was ideal, we basically had the place to ourselves and it was gorgeous! How about a guest ranch type setting - it is Texas after all. I've spent enough of my life in big box generic hotels, you know the one where you need to look at the room service sheet to remind you what city you're in today? Not!
But keep the ideas coming - the more people who contribute the better. Lost Pines sounds great but it's very expensive (all ready checked and discarded). Even with some negotiation I don't think $200+ a night is in most peoples budget. It sure isn't in mine.
Lightflyer1: Now that's a nice location.
That's how it has been at the Fests I've attended. The venue's catering service provides the three group meals - Meet & Greet, Guest Speaker Breakfast, and Awards Banquet. You're on your own for all other meals....Only drawback I see is all food/drinks onsite must be provided by them.
Most venues will offer you complimentary meeting rooms if you book catering with them. If you don't book catering, expect to pay for your meeting rooms. Also, most hotels do not allow off-site food to be brought in and served to guests. Andrew was sneaky last year and did it anyway ... fortunately the hotel owner didn't notice or at least didn't mind.That's how it has been at the Fests I've attended. The venue's catering service provides the three group meals - Meet & Greet, Guest Speaker Breakfast, and Awards Banquet. You're on your own for all other meals.
I agree 100%. I am sitting here thinking no wonder why there isn't much activity here anymore.PLEASE! Do not be put off or dissuaded by the negativity of those of us old farts from the peanut gallery that have been there, done that, got the T shirt.
It is necessary for new ideas and opinions of what a larger gathering of diesel fans might want to use as an excuse to get out of town for a few days. Those that HAVEN'T attended a prior event don't have any pre-conceived notions of what has to be done just because it's been done that way before.
If you think you have a good idea, or even a just so-so idea, let it out. There is a ersatz support group of prior event organizers and volunteers that can be used as sounding boards to help explain why what worked for that event worked, why what didn't work that time failed, and to share thoughts on what they'd do differently under the same circumstance. Understand that each circumstance / event is different and what didn't work once doesn't automatically mean it wouldn't work in a different place and a different time.
Keep an open mind. Filter the opinions of the curmudgeons, but don't totally ignore them. And above all, offer suggestions, don't merely express wishes.
Did you or are you getting rid of your 2015?Been to every one but 2......3 times I showed up in Non TDI vehicles....2 times in my Chevy HHR SS and once in a Jetta Hybrid.....and will soon be TDI less for the 1st time since 1999
Yes I will attend depending on location
My 2015 Jetta TDI is Paid off....My Wife is driving her everyday. I have no plans at this time to get rid of her. I drive the 328D daily and just got a 2004 Jepp Grand Cherokee.Did you or are you getting rid of your 2015?
Are you talking about the whole Forum or just this thread? Hard to tell.I agree 100%. I am sitting here thinking no wonder why there isn't much activity here anymore.
Ok, thanks for the info, time for a locals to meet up!My 2015 Jetta TDI is Paid off....My Wife is driving her everyday. I have no plans at this time to get rid of her. I drive the 328D daily and just got a 2004 Jepp Grand Cherokee.
Are you talking about the whole Forum or just this thread? Hard to tell.
The whole forum. Just not much activity here anymore. Used to be I couldn't get enough of it, now I can go a week or 2 and not miss much, home page has same old articles/links that have been there most of the year. Not much in my subscribed threads either. I posted the in the Passat forum and nothing has posted in that. I have friends that concur too.
I am not knocking anyone personally, I like many of the people here quite a bit and always enjoy the get togethers.
Are you talking about the whole Forum or just this thread? Hard to tell.
The whole forum. Just not much activity here anymore. Used to be I couldn't get enough of it, now I can go a week or 2 and not miss much, home page has same old articles/links that have been there most of the year. Not much in my subscribed threads either. I posted the in the Passat forum and nothing has posted in that. I have friends that concur too.
I am not knocking anyone personally, I like many of the people here quite a bit and always enjoy the get togethers.
There isn't that much to talk about. There has been nothing technologically new to talk about in several years except for the Dieselgate scandal and the handful of people who bought 2015s (which are a newer variant of a foundation that was laid several years ago).
There is some performance enhancement discussion still happening, as usual, but other than that, the TDI population is dwindling due to much of the growth in recent years reversing course.
While it's unfortunate for the club, it's simply a result of *insert ad-lib here* decisions and the resulting evolution of transportation.