2016 Hotel Options!!

[ViperMan]

First post: HOTEL Options.  I'll explain the reason for this in post number 2...!

Members have begun booking hotels for the 2016 Carlisle Car Show, which runs from July 15th through the 17th.  Most of us are arriving Thursday, 7/14.

There are three "predominant" hotels of interest this year:

Quality Inn New Cumberland:
This has been the "club hotel" for many years, though we took a break from it around 2010 or so because it was falling apart.  They "renovated" it around 2011 or 12, so we went back to it starting in 2014 if I recall.  It's still kinduva sh!t hole - dirty carpets, less-than-reliable air conditioning, lousy customer service from an entire staff that doesn't speak English, and rates that seem to be all over the map.  STILL, you won't find a cheaper room in the area, and it has the fabled parking lot area which our club has enjoyed for years.  Your best bet is to look for rates online, via sites like hotels.com or similar.  (You can call, but good luck understanding whoever answers the phone!)  Expect to pay LESS than $100 per night unless you wait until the last minute.

Holiday Inn New Cumberland
This hotel is BRAND NEW - we noticed it this past year while hanging out at the Quality Inn.  It is directly across the street from the Quality Inn.  It appears to have a nice congregation area in a corner of the lot, and reviews online are satisfactory.  We know nothing else of the hotel in regards to trailer parking (though in a pinch you can probably just park over at the Quality Inn).  Expect to pay $120 a night if you pre-pay, $133'ish if you want the option to cancel your stay.

Radisson Inn Radisson West
This hotel is a huge destination for the car show - we ALWAYS see Mopars around the lot when we drive past throughout the weekend.  It's a rather big hotel featuring a few restaurants, various volleyball/basketball/etc courts around back, apparently even has some pavilion areas.  I stayed there once long before joining the site and remember it being huge, and I think it's grown even since.  Brad is a big advocate of this hotel.  I would expect it to be pretty noisy at night, especially Saturday night, as I believe they even have bands playing and such during the weekends.  This hotel is probably 10-15 minutes from New Cumberland.  It's also a straight shot down Rt 11 to Carlisle, but you'll hit the worse of traffic as you approach.  Expect to pay north of $150 a night.

There are a TON of hotels in the area - obviously you can choose whichever works best for you!  I've booked at the Holiday Inn in New Cumberland - I'd like to give it a try for 2016.  There is also an even nicer hotel behind the Quality Inn - I believe it's the Fairfield Inn - which is also around $150 a night if you want the most lavish arrangements but still be near the majority of the group!

[ViperMan]

Hi everyone,

Sorry - I locked the 2015 thread to avoid confusion, but I believe I covered the major details in the first post, above.

Hotels for Carlisle are ALWAYS a huge pain in the arse because:

A) They jack their rates through the roof during carshow weekends because it's guaranteed business for them.
B) Everyone has differing opinions on price/amenities/distance to the fairgrounds
C) Some people have their "favorites" that they stay at regardless of any group decision
D) A ton of new hotels have opened in the area in the past few years, though these tend to be the most expensive ones
E) There are a slew of different sites with different rates for different hotels
F) We discovered in 2013 that reserving a block of rooms ALWAYS costs more than an individual rate acquired alone

Trying to juggle all the needs/wants of our growing number of Carlisle participants while no longer living in the area has become such a herculean task that in 2015 I kinda had to say "screw it".    As my mother has been known to say over the years, "I love you all to death but you're driving me into an early grave..."!!

SO, in 2016 we will repeat what we did in 2015 - every man for himself.  This past year it actually worked out pretty well - we still had a large crowd at the hotel each night even though not everyone was staying at the hotel, and it ultimately saved people money by avoiding the extra costs associated with group rates.  Lastly, people were able to find a hotel that fit their individual needs without being forced to go with the group.

I recommend that if you are STRONGLY CONFIDENT that you'll be attending Carlisle next year (and seriously, why shouldn't you be?!  ) then book your room NOW to get the best price and guaranteed availability.  Even if you decide later that you can't go, you can likely find another member who will take your reservation because they waited a bit too long...   

See you guys in 2016!!

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Jeff,

  I took Brad's advice and booked the Radisson West. I got $159 a night, but since I didn't go to Carlisle this year, I have a bigger Hotel budget for next year.     So it might be noisy, but it's not like we ever go to sleep at an early hour anyway. I remember in 2013 we didn't end the party until 3 AM Saturday night. We put the Charger crowd to shame with our party in "Viperman land".   

I wish it could be like the old days and we all stayed at the same place, but times have changed. At least we will be together at the club tent at the fairgrounds.   

[roadman5312]

    I have to talk to Jim but I like the Raddison West too. Yea it's more expensive but since this is the one vacation I take every year I don't mind. And were bringing the Challenger via Reliable, and they have a ton of room for loading/unloading. And it looks like it probably has very good security stuff for the parking lot. AND, I believe Brad mentioned something about the waitresses and short skirts.      Brad, if you could elaborate on that please, my memory is slipping.      About The tent. When we register the car how can we be sure it's near the tent. ?    

                                                                               

[4Cruizn]

Ok so I seriously don't want to pay 170 a night  . . .  To much for the show!  I am game to stay any place that is reasonable but last year my 3 night stay was just over $300 for 3 nights . . . Including taxes.  It cost almost $200 in tolls for me to go there and back . . .  The wife says we could go to Cozumel for a week all inclusive for as much as I spend for this weekend . . . . But it is the best MOPAR show anywhere! 

[crocha617]

I'm at the Radisson Park Inn as well. I booked Thursday and Friday at $149 a night.

[TUFCAT]

Thanks for the info.  I was in Mechanicsburg last year so I'll look into these options.  Its never to early to book.....

[The Cuda Guy]

So let me get this right... the majority of the members don't stay at the same hotel?  And I I'm surprised that there is a better spot than the first hotel we stayed at.  We owned that parking lot.  Let me know if the members decide on one spot.  Thanks.


Don

[Chryco Psycho]

Don't look for me there  , the cost coming from Canada or Panama is basically the same but last year ran $3500 for 2 days seeing as no one shows up for sunday except me & if I am going that far & it costs that much you bet I will be there sunday & thursday 

[4Cruizn]

Don't look for me there  , the cost coming from Canada or Panama is basically the same but last year ran $3500 for 2 days seeing as no one shows up for sunday except me & if I am going that far & it costs that much you bet I will be there sunday & thursday 

So if I read that right. . . You are NoT coming this year?   

[734406pk]

My wife Susan and I will be there Thursday through Monday. Carlisle is my vacation also! There is nowhere else I would rather be....

[brads70]

The way things are going I'm wondering if the border crossings will be open? 

[ShelbyDogg]

It all depends on you religion now

[Chryco Psycho]

So if I read that right. . . You are NoT coming this year?   

correct , too costly for me at this point 

[cudaaah]

Just moved back East from CA...Just booked Carlisle.  first timer    Courtyard Marriot just over $400  Thursday-Sunday.  Hope to meet new friends!