SiliCon Ho

[kevin_standlee]

Hooray for free wireless internet in the hotel's public areas! I'm settled in at the San Jose in 2011 Westercon bid table, for whom I brought the front-of-table banner and bid stickers. Bid Chairman Glenn Glazer is off posting party flyers; when he comes back, I'll go around and start posting promotional flyers for Match Game SF.

The old Coffee Garden restaurant, which is where many of us Doubltree con-goers have spent many happy hours, has morphed into a new restaurant called "Sprigs," and is only open from 6 AM to 2 PM, even during events like this that should throw off business. Instead, we're told we should got to the fancy, expensive restaurant or eat in the bar. This is something we'll have to address with the Westercon bid, I think.

Somewhat to my surprise, given how few people are here during the early-afternoon set-up hours, we've already sold a couple of pre-supporting memberships to the Westercon bid.

Comments

[kshandra]

This was brought up yesterday. gridlore says the program book states that they'd be open later (though "later" was still only defined as something in the 9-10pm range, rather than the 1 or 2am we're used to).

I'll definitely be saving my receipts from Denny's, McDonald's, etc., and presenting them to the hotel manager at check-out.

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

They've also reduced the menu and increased the prices since January.

Yes, Westercon may have to bring in caterers. It might be cheaper.

I'm also noticing other things - my room looked like it had been vandalized before I checked in. And housekeeping did some things they shouldn't have and didn't do things they should have.

[redneckotaku.livejournal.com]

The Hyatt Regency Crystal City (where Anime USA and Katsucon are) has this problem. There is a high end restaurant that is only open evenings and the more affordable restaurant. I know Anime USA has a place that the hotel sets up where people can buy food to go (no tables to eat at). I think that may be an option for Westercon 2011.

[johno.livejournal.com]

Several folks were calling it "Twigs". Based on the thin menu and rather sparse decor.

This is second hand, but the staff were not happy. They expect cons to be a big payday for them. Between overtime & tips, they makes oodles of $$. They sent one of the waitresses who loves cons, home early on Friday & Saturday.