OK change of plans call Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel 255 28th St. SW US-131 & 28th St. Grand Rapids, MI 49548 exit 81 off 131 I think. CALL ASAP. Tel: 616-241-6444 Mention the F.A.S.T drags. THERE IS A SOCCER TOURNEY THAT HAS TAKEN OVER THE CLARION THAT WEEKEND
THERE IS A SOCCER TOURNEY THAT HAS TAKEN OVER THE CLARION THAT WEEKEND[/QUOTE] Damn grass Fairys:blast:
I made my reservation. Does anyone know that area? Should we look into having parking lot security? I would be willing to chip in some $$$$ to pay someone to watch our cars Friday night, especially those of us who use open trailers.
I live just a couple miles away and drive past the host hotel every day. Up until a couple years ago, it was a Holiday Inn, so the facilities are a little nicer than many HoJo's. The hotel is nestled directly at the intersection of US-131 and 28th Street, so it's a fairly busy area. It's a declining retail and industrial zone, so you there's really nothing which will motivate you to take a walk through the neighborhood -- other than the 24-hour restaurant across 28th St. There's a couple no-tell motels within a half mile east which are more often rented by the hour, so that tells you a little about the area. But it's not like you're going to find drug pushers standing on the street corner. Not the best part of town, but far from the worst. The city of Wyoming is blue-collar, diverse, and loves old cars. In fact the parking lot of the now-vacant K-mart across the street from the hotel used to be where all the Friday-night cruisers gathered. I do recommend that someone hire security to patrol the parking lot, unless the hotel is already providing that. I also suggest you contact the Wyoming police department and ask for a little extra attention during the night. HQ is just a mile away, and I'm sure they won't mind cruising through. If anyone is nervous (I hope I haven't sounded too negative), or if the host hotel fills up, I can give you the names of a couple hotels further south (more suburban), or further north (downtown, business-class).
Welp, I guess that eliminates us from the parking lot party this year Way too friggin" far NORTH for us. Three Rivers is 40 minutes south of Martin. Straight shot up 131. Why on Earth would you pick Grand Rapids for a host Hotel?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????:af: I would think Three Rivers a more secure location(small town) than a big town like G.R.o No: Sorry Donny, C.J. Fordman is right:Smarty: P.S.--If there is any change of heart by the event organizers, I can and will provide Hotel info for the Holiday Inn Express in Three Rivers. I also know several people in local Law Enforcement(Don't ask why,LOL) If Three Rivers is too far south, isn't there a Hotel in Plainwell or Otsego??? Those two towns are within minutes of the Track.There are other Hotels in Kalamazoo, I guess I don't get it??????
Hey Guys, don't want to be too negative but I grew up in G.R. and know the area well also. Personally, I would'nt stay there,especially with a car in tow. I would suggest trying the Holiday Inn Express at 68th St. and 131 (I think exit 76) or Comfort Suites South on 84th and 131. You can also check hotels buy Googling "Cutlerville Mich. hotels" This is a MUCH nicer area and while the prices may be higher the hotels are close to 131 and it would be safer and closer to the track.
Don't worry peter, unlike your last batch of friends . I will take credit cards !!!:moonu: ou: haha just jooking-- Cash Only:bla:
Yeah, that was a neat little trick:moonu: :af: :blast: Let's try something different this year, and keep the tradition of the party at the Hotel parking lot, where everyone EXPECTS it to be.ou:
If more thought has to be given to this hotel deal let's do it now? We really should be staying at a safe location no? I know Pete agrees. How about the local guys making the call??? I actullay though the party at the track was nice. Less moving of all the stuff.:beers2:
There is a Baymont Inn between the track and grand Rapids away from the city and closer to the track.I stayed there last year a couple times big lot and nice rooms with a resturant next store.
Why on Earth would you pick Grand Rapids for a host Hotel?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????:af: Tom, I was thinking the same thing when I heard this. We are coming from the south as many are, and now the hotel will be 30 minutes PAST the hotel instead of before it. One other thing to check out...this hotel gets a whopping two out of five stars in reviews. We are not real picky but this doesn't seem to be the best place. I would much prefer a small town for the hotel. Even if it's more expensive it'll be worth it to sleep at night. There's a Comfort Inn in Plainwell 10.4 miles from the track. I called the front desk tonight and she has 53 rooms available on June 24th and 43 rooms on June 25th. I asked about crime, she laughed...this is small town country USA, no problems at all. A little pricey at 119-129 but if we lock in a block of rooms they might work the price for us. I'll unleash Tami on the General Manager in the morning. I know she'll get them down on the rate. I will post the results. If this will not work, second choice would be Three Rivers or Kalamazoo for us. I would prefer the party at the hotel so we do not have to drive. Party all night and no blue lights for me please!:beer Does this forum have the capability to post a vote? If others agree maybe we could throw two alternate "southern" hotels up for a vote.o No: The south is gonna rise again!!!
OK, here's the info on the Hotel in Plainwell. Tami talked to the manager this morning and she is willing to do a group rate with no minimum of rooms required. Instead of $119.99 Thursday and $129.99 Friday, she will do $101.97 for each night, continental breakfast included. That's still about $25-30 more than the Grand Rapids HoJo but some of that will go back in your pocket in gas savings for your car/tow vehicle. By the way, current rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars for this place. This rate is not set, we would need to call them back and lock it in. If someone wanted this rate they'd just give the group name. What do y'all think? Tami and I are willing to set it up. As much as we like to be at the host hotel we are thinking about doing our own thing anyhow. Not looking forward to staying at a low rated hotel in the big city far from the track when there are other options. If anyone wants to throw up another hotel alternate please do. Opinions? Discussion?
