Denise's Friends and Family rate is a good idea. The Intercontinental is half way between our office and home on the Dallas North Parkway. Take about 15 minutes to our house from the Intercontinental.
DALLAS 15201 DALLAS PARKWAY • DALLAS, TX,

Depending on what the friends and family rate is there is another option that may be more convenient.

On the way home tonight we stopped and looked at two less expensive hotels within a mile of our house just a few minutes by car. The Holiday Inn Express and the Hyatt Place.

Both about the same price the HYATT PLACE is far superior. Basic rate they said was $89 weekend and $149 weekdays but they will work a group rate.

Really nice room with lounge area, huge sectional, big flat screen TV, black granite vanity, lots of space. Included free wifi internet plus two computers if you do not have a lap top and included breakfast. Lots of seating area downstairs, a small bar area and they sell a few light snacks. We stayed in one in FLL and thought it was a good value. This would be extremely convenient. There is also a new lovely Mall between this hotel and our house.

I looked on line for a Honkey Tonk -- well I guess they are not as popular as they used to be. This of course is how Ken and I met country and western dancing. At that time there were three great clubs right in North Dallas. The one I was thinking about with good steaks and dancing has closed. The others are in "no mans land". There is ONE that is reasonably located if this is something people want to do we will check it out.

Otherwise there are two restaurants very close that are good. THE SALTGRASS STEAKHOUSE about 15 steps from the hotel (literally) very TEXAN and just across the road THE KEG a little classier one of our favorite places to eat.

We could just do a dinner here on the Friday night.

Our house is always open for people to hang out as well on Saturday and also on Sunday.

We do have PLENTY of time to figure this all out If a big group wants to go somewhere a distance away we could hire a bus and split the cost. Billy Bobs in Fort Worth is THE country and western dance hall but it is in Fort Worth about an hour away.

Ngaire, can you work a group rate for us at Hyatt Place? I know I have seen $85 on their website for Fri and Sat. If they knew they were going to have a big group through Sunday night it would be treat for them, maybe? Otherwise, I'd just pay the difference between the Sun and Mon rate that is posted. I think it is important for us to be able to "gather" together on Friday night in a bar/lounge, we've done that before many times, but need the space! But being close to your house is important for Saturday, otherwise we would be all over Dallas.

Does Hyatt Place have a shuttle from DFW and back. That could save some dollars.

Yes they were very open to a group rate but it was 8.00 pm when I got there so I will have to call the group person back. I was quite pleased with how nice the rooms were. Just no big fancy foyer of course but we wont need that.

Can someone check the Intercontinental Hotel rate as well so we will know that rate in comparison to the Hyatt.

MY OUTGOING EMAIL CRASHED THIS AFTERNOON AND ALL MY EMAILS FROM ABOUT 2.00 PM BOUNCED BACK. I CAN RECEIVE BUT NOT SEND BEEN REDOING ALL THOSE EMAILS SINCE I GOT HOME AS BEST I CAN. SO IF NO ONE HEARS FROM ME TOMORROW YOU WILL KNOW WHY.

No hotel in North Dallas has a free shuttle BUT the SUPER SHUTTLE from the airport that does the hotel runs in Dallas does stop at the Hyatt Place I asked that question.

I did see a hotel van outside so I bet they do short runs to the mall etc close by. I will ask that question of the group planner. It would only take 5 minutes round trip to my home from this hotel they could run a shuttle!

Web site said they shuttle within 5 miles. DFW is 13. No big deal just a question. The rate on the web site just know was 62.00 for friday and saturday and 123 for sunday. not bad in my view. seems like the place. of course anything less would be a good deal. location is too convenient.

I just reserved a refundable room at the Hyatt Place. I like that it has a lounge where we can all meet and it's a mile from Ngaire's house! If everyone decides on a different hotel, I will just cancel and move to where everyone is.

Ralph, are we looking at the same Hyatt? I didn't see those prices just now when I booked! I hope I booked the right hotel :)

I think so. It was Hyatt Place Dallas North. 5229 Spring valley rd. 972-716-2001. I just used the price estimater on the left side of web site.

Ah, Billy Bob's :banana: Hyatt Place Dallas/Plano, 3100 No. Dallas Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093 is what we're looking at.

Ralph, I reserved this one but I am not sure if it is the right one?



Hyatt Place Dallas/Plano
3100 Dallas Parkway
Plano, Texas, USA
75093
Tel: 972 378 3997
Fax: 972 378 3887

Michele - Just picturing this group at Billy Bob's brings a smile to my face. :woh:

The Spring Valley one is the wrong address. About 30 minutes away that is near my office. This is one weekend I will NOT be working.

Do not reserve yet guys because we will probably get a better deal with the group.

Hyatt Place Dallas/Planohyattplaceplano.com
3100 Dallas Parkway
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 378-3997

I will talk to the group person tomorrow.

I just googled them both and I had the wrong one. They are both in the general area.

I didn't visit LCT for a day and almost missed the party. Mona and I would be interested if there's still room. Tom.

There is room for you Tom, looking forward to seeing you.

No, no, you can't go to Billy Bob's without me!!! Hmm, we may have to think about cancelling our Australia trip--I can't bear to miss this party.

Right now we are planning on arriving on Friday the 13th(my lucky number) and returning on the Monday.

Question...is there enough to see in and around Dallas to warrent extra days there ?
I realize its a huge city so would appreciate some input before I book air.

My god this is almost as exciting as the anticipation of a cruise....weeeelllll almost.

When people come to Dallas to visit I started thinking about what we do with them. Dallas is NOT an exciting city. It is a good place to live, but not a tourist attraction type city. In fact June is coming next Friday and all we do now is take her shopping. That IS good in Dallas. Lots of neat little shopping areas and bars and restaurants. They have built up all around us and we do not really go out to these new "spots" Of course Cindy knows them all.

Normally we go downtown and go up in the Reunion Tower. On a nice day (most of the time) you can see forever. There is one of the refurbished warehouse areas with shops, restaurants you know the standard "stuff". It is pedestrians only and usually street performers etc. It can be fun. Of course then you can tour the area where President Kennedy was shot the Kennedy Museum is very close to this area. This is all downtown if you go without rush hour traffic it is okay.

Going to see South Fork used to be what everyone wanted to do. Not sure if you can go in anymore would have to look that up. Out in the middle of nowhere nothing exciting about the drive either. Pretty disappointing even if you were a Dallas fan. Last time (years ago) they had turned the barn into a conference type place and rented it out for parties with barbeque.

Now maybe I have lived here too long and often locals do not see the attractions of their own cities. So others chime in. Cindy is on the Voyager right now when she gets back I will ask her she is more "in the know" than I am. For those who do not know Cindy is my daughter.

I have a better idea then...The whole point is to meet again with everyone...SOOO that is what we will do...After all it's the people we're going for, not the scenery(although i'm sure its lovely)

Just checked costs of air from Buffalo against Toronto...What a shocker!!!
Since we are only an hour from the border looks like we will fly from Buffao...that leaves a lot more for a drink or two at a Honkey Tonk Bar.

Should we bring our White Stetsons?

We went to Billy Bob's with my sister years ago and had such a good time! That place was rockin'.

Would be there if I could. However, the Navigator crossing crew will be somewhere between Rome and FLL!

I agree....meeting everyone is the point!!!! Can't get better than that.

Holy smokes, if this keeps growing, Ngaire might have to rent the banquet room at the Hyatt ;)
This event sure is going to put a ding in my list of LCTers I have been waiting to meet!

Karen....I just booked our air! Can't wait to finally meet you and so many other LTC Favorites!!!!

Lars is laughing at me - he can't imagine what he's in for! ;)

Have just booked our air as well....just waiting to book rooms....

I've heard of "Debbie Does Dallas"...but now it's

"Pat Does Plano"

Ray is just shaking his head. :rolleyes:

I booked air for Carol and I yesterday. We are leaviing Maui three days early and flying to DFW from Maui. It should be a great time to see friends and meet new ones.

Hi, we are relatively new to LCT (but not at all new to Regent and its previous iterations on which we have sailed for many, many years). We have, however, recently started - to our great delight - using B&K for our Regent cruises, and we (Donna & Dee) are looking forward to meeting everyone!

Hi Donna and Dee! I am looking forward to meeting you both!

Sounds to me like the party of the year!! Or as my teens use to say "a major rager". Checked out airfare and just waiting to hear about hotel rates to make a decision.

Hi Karen,

Thanks for the warm welcome, we look forward to meeting you and everyone else.

Mark and I are "maybes" :)

www.betterbidding.com shows The Hyatt Place does show up on Priceline as a 3* in the Frisco/Plano area for $35 a night - However, aloft is also a 3* in the same zone. Note that Priceline reservations are pre-paid non-refundable.

My personal view of Hyatt Place is that they are a decent remodel of the Amerisuites property but my big problem with these properties are the very noisy through the wall air conditioning units and the awful bathrooms.

Peter, I checked www.biddingfortravel.com yesterday and they have 4 or so other hotels listed besides the Hyatt so that option won't work if we are determined to choose a certain hotel.

The house is now bulging with everyone who has responded plus my staff at about 90 people.
So I may need to slow it down now to a waitlist as I am sure that some people will find that other things crop up that make attending a problem.

Hotels, I have been trying to get in touch with the Hyatt Place group planner today no luck yet. I will simply make a group rate as best I can and then people can do that or any other hotel that they chose.

Transportation will be an issue. For any trip far away (like Billy Bobs) we can charter a bus for transport and split the cost. Some may rent cars of course and the Hyatt has a transfer van. When I finally get to talk to their group person I can find out if we can count on that for transfers.

So waitlist now for the party invitation.

True - but in my view - $90 for a Hyatt Place on a weekend is too much - for those that booked or are booking it - try to book the cancellable / refundable rate since I'm sure that the rate will go down. Don't forget to look at the AAA rate, that's usually about 15% cheaper - I just checked and AAA or Senior Citizen rate is $80 for that time period.

Wish we could attend and meet everyone as well but we will be just returning from Bali after celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. Have a wonderful time though.

Wasn't Ngaire looking into a group rate at the Hyatt Place?

Will definitely look at AAA or Senior since we qualify for both. I was just waiting to see if she came up with a group rate that was better.

In my experience, Hyatt Place rarely comes up with good group rates - I've been able to beat the group rates both times that I've been at a "group event" at a Hyatt Place.

Another option to consider might be https://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3155 - a new aloft property that's about 2 miles away from the Hyatt Place - AAA rates for that weekend are $75.

I would agree with Peter, I am a starwood Preferred Planner, I could shoot them an email and see what kind of group rate we could get and see what they come back with, any idea how many rooms we would be talking about..

Is the Westin Galleria close by?

Thanks
Frank