DNC-goers still without rooms must be flexible
By Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 6, 2008 at 9:51 p.m.
Updated August 7, 2008 at 1:43 a.m.
Stuck without a place to stay during the Democratic National Convention?
Join the crowd.
Hotels in the metro area say they're still fielding dozens of calls each day from convention-goers, leisure travelers and other visitors searching for rooms during the high-profile event. The call volume could increase significantly next week as the DNC Committee begins selecting additional people who will be allowed into the main event at Invesco.
All is not lost, however.
Visitors still have several options, though they'll have to be flexible or willing to drive.
You can try your luck with the lower-priced, locally owned motels downtown. Motels typically don't show up in Internet booking engines and often rank as one- or two-star accommodations. Don't expect many luxuries beyond a bed, a bathroom and color TV. But you can get a cheap room, often for much less than what budget hotels are charging.
The All-Inn Motel on East Colfax still has a couple of rooms left that week. Manager Junj Woo said rates are running between $70 and $80 during the DNC week.
That could change come convention time.
"I think we'll end up raising them because it will be reasonably busy here," Woo said, adding that she knows of at least one customer in town for the DNC who reserved a room at the motel. "I think we'll probably charge between $160 and $170."
If that doesn't suit your needs, look farther away from Denver.
The Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau said half of its 24 hotels are definitely booked on Aug. 28, the night of Barack Obama's speech at Invesco Field at Mile High. The other 12 may have rooms.
In Colorado Springs, rooms are more plentiful.
"Whatever type of hotel someone would like to stay in, in terms of amenities and budget, we have what they'll want," said Amy Long, director of marketing for the convention and visitors center.
Another option: Rent from one of the thousands of Denver residents looking to make some extra money by renting out their homes, apartments and condos for the DNC. Many people have posted their places on craigslist and sites created specifically for DNC housing needs.
You can also ring up those old friends and acquaintances you haven't talked to in years.
"A lot of people are staying with people they know for the DNC," said Rich Grant, a spokesman for the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It happens a lot anyway. About 65 percent of our normal tourists stay with friends and relatives."
Some visitors will no doubt hold out, hoping to take advantage of last-minute cancellations that might free up some rooms.
But it's a risky move, as many downtown hotels have waiting lists, while others are booked by the DNC Committee and likely won't open up anyway in the event of cancellations.
"There's just so much interest nationally in this election and the issues surrounding it," said Allen Paty, general manager of the Hotel Monaco Denver, which sold out 18 months ago. "I would say that there's a shot something could open up here, but that it's minuscule. That's just being candid."
No room? Other options
Visitors have other options aside from traditional hotels:
* Some motels still have rooms, although they often aren't in the best areas of town. All-Inn Motel at 3015 E. Colfax Ave., for instance, has several rooms available during the DNC for $70 to $80 a night.
* Many locals are trying to rent places to stay via the Internet. Some recent postings include a 1,000-square-foot loft less than a mile from the Pepsi Center for $650 a night (craigslist) and a three-bedroom house in Aurora for $1,500 a night (denver2008rentals.com).
* Hotels might release rooms at the last minute because of cancellations. But you'll have to beat out everyone else with the same idea, and some hotels have waiting lists.
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August 6, 2008
10:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
P_Denver writes:
Best option of all: No room? Stay Home!
August 7, 2008
12:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
acesandeights writes:
Another great site for DNC housing is NationalEventRental.com, especially if you don't want to waste time browsing through hundreds of listings. I found a great place off of their site, and the owner was very negotiable with his price.
August 7, 2008
6:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
dilligaf writes:
WOW!!!!!!! Where is all the bloggers out their complaining about the cost of the DNC? Has anybody taken the time that they have on researching how much this is going to cost us and figured the revenue of all these people? Don't they have to eat? Aren't they going to take advantage of all of our attractions? I will even bet that thousands (women) might even do some shopping.
What am I thinking of that is positive things. We can only talk about costs, riots, and inconvenience's. Sorry I brought it up. How stupid of me.
August 7, 2008
8:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
gr8fuldude writes:
I'll be more than happy to rent out my garage. Please post if interested. Reasonable rates.
August 7, 2008
8:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mayor_Quimby writes:
How bout the sewer in front of my house? That's where most of these people belong.
August 7, 2008
8:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
dilligaf writes:
Governor
No Gov. remember you will have a 12 gage waiting for them. Make up your mind you either want them or you don't.
August 7, 2008
9:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
SL10 writes:
In my apartment complex we have 4 two bedrooms avaliable. The owner would be happy to rent out to the DNC. lol.
August 7, 2008
10:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mayor_Quimby writes:
I'll charge money for the sewer. If they come onto my yard, then the 12 gauge comes out. :o)
August 7, 2008
10:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
morevents writes:
www.dncevents.com has rooms available right on light rail in the Tech Center
August 7, 2008
3:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
dilligaf writes:
Here's one for ya. How about some of these banks rent all these foreclosed homes out and recoup some of the money your losing?
Now there is something both the left and right can agree on.
August 11, 2008
1:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Tamara writes:
We still have a bunch of beautiful, privately owned condos available starting at $400 per night. Please call (303) 333-4696 or check out www.proactivellc.com for more info!
August 12, 2008
3:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
saunders_lax writes:
If you are willing to stay 4 or 5 nights, there are a number of hotels on Expedia.com. (and they are giving away free gas cards too)