So, what's the trick to get the room you want?

[tay666]

Every year, I request a certain room.
And every year I end up anywhere but there.
How do you guys get the same room year after year?

[mikef12169]

Tip the person you make the request to

[blackfink]

I just want a room without bed bugs.

[resin addict]

I make my reservation in Dec. or whenever it is that the WF rate is first announced, when you make the reservation you call a National Holiday Inn toll free number that is not the local actual Louisville location, but I still make a point of telling them to make a special note that I have requested a specific room (by number).
They make a point of telling you that although they have noted it, depending on the local hotel and what is available when you show up, they can't guarantee that the room will be available, for instance if the room you want was booked for Monday through Friday of the week you are going to be arriving, and you are arriving on Thursday, there's nothing they can do ( and BTW, if that is the case, because I like the room we get so much, I tell them that I will relocate to that room on Friday after the midweek guest leaves).
I also call the Louisville local number directly about 2 weeks prior to arriving and reference my reservation confirmation number and explain that we always try and get the same room, and understand they can't guarantee it, but just wanted to repeat my request...the local people are always very friendly and helpful (did it last week and they verified locally that they have me down for the room I requested) then sometimes I'll call again Monday or Tuesday of the week of WF to ask one more time...just to keep it on their radar when they're scheduling rooms.
It also might help that I'm a Platinum member (based on other traveling) of their rewards program...not sure, but it might.
My recommendation is to reserve Nationally, but request Locally.

[FilmMkr]

I always ask for the Quiet Zone, away from all the hullabaloo and drunk-a$$ rabble rousers.

The rooms are quieter, and tend to be in better shape and I can sleep at night. Last year I was next to Sarah Karloff.

[veedubb67]

We've been going to WF for over 10 years and most of the time we get the same rooms (adjacent with access to the mezzanine). It's all about communication, and I don't mean the day you show up. The folks at the Executive West/Crowne Plaza are very accommodating, but they need to know ahead of time.

Smiling helps...


Rob
Iwata Padawan

[resin addict]

It's all about communication, and I don't mean the day you show up. The folks at the Executive West/Crowne Plaza are very accommodating, but they need to know ahead of time.

Smiling helps...


Rob
Iwata Padawan

What he said

[tay666]

I always note the room I want when I make the reservation.
And I also ask when I call and confirm my reservation a couple weeks out.
But it always seems like something is working against me.
Last year, they were remodeling the rooms in that whole area, so I couldn't even get close.
I think it was the year before that, they had the dog-show people coming in and wanting those rooms on Sunday night, so I got one the floor above the room I wanted.
Yeah, it's close, but still required waiting for the elevator.
I don't mind stairs at all, and prefer taking those, rather than waiting for the elevator.

I figured since I want a room in a noisy high traffic area, it would be kind of easy.
Hell, for years I tried to get the room right there on the 1st floor next to the lobby, by the entry to the courtyard. That would be 'the' perfect room. But that never happened.
Then, about 5 years ago, they stuck me in a room on the 2nd floor, next to the elevator, and right across from the entry for the patio. I loved it!
I requested the same room the next year. But they couldn't give it to me. They did however give me an even better room. Across the hall with a door opening to the patio. Even better!
Been asking for that room ever since. Sadly have not been in that room again

[Scott Johansen]

Maybe they don't like the stains you leave on the couch!

[DenZilla]

Tip the person you make the request to

Smart man. I usually tip the counter clerk $20 when I check in anywhere. I've been upgraded to a suite a couple of times at no extra charge. Money definitely talks.

[DoctorG]

I've gotten to know the hotel manager quite well over the past several years, and she's been very good in creating the best possible experience for myself and my suite mates at the show. It does help that I'm an IHG Executive Platinum member too!

[tay666]

Maybe they don't like the stains you leave on the couch!

Is that why they keep changing couches every year?

[Scott Johansen]

Maybe they don't like the stains you leave on the couch!

Is that why they keep changing couches every year?

Could be!!

[raydrz]

pick the furthest spot from 1. dealer's room 2. contest room 3. any elevator

triangulate that location...you'll find me there!

[Scott Johansen]

pick the furthest spot from 1. dealer's room 2. contest room 3. any elevator

triangulate that location...you'll find me there!

So you're on the roof with a sleeping bag?

SJ

[raydrz]

that was before the renovation

[Scott Johansen]

that was before the renovation

It's really nice up there since the storm blew the roof off a few years ago!!

SJ

[tay666]

Well, again, 2 out of 3 isn't bad.
I got 2nd floor, and I got a balcony. Just not in the area I wanted.

[Scooke123]

I got ground floor again a few rooms down from the lobby - helps to have bad knees at least for that. Didn't get a room facing the pool this year but still nice and close.
Steve

[resin addict]

We got the room that we've had for several years now...as someone else noted it may help to be a Gold or Platinum IHG Rewards member (which I am because of other travelling), but what I do is:
When I first make the reservation using the toll free number to the call center (back in Dec. or Jan., whenever the WF room rate is announced) while I'm making my reservation I indicate that I realize they cannot guarantee a specific room, but ask that they note my room number request on my reservation, which they happily do.
One thing...you need to know a specific room number, you can't expect the call center people to be able to know that specific Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza layout.
So I ask them to note that I would really like Room XXX.
Then about 3 weeks before the show, I call the Louisville location front desk directly.
When I call, I explain that I've been attending this show at their hotel for the past 18 years, and for the past 7 or 8 years they have always been able to get me in the same room, and again explain that I understand that they can't guarantee a specific room, but ask them if they can note it on my reservation locally...typically they look up my reservation and confirm that the request is already on the electronic data, but will note that I called and asked for that specific room.
Finally I call the front desk one last time on Monday or Tuesday of the week of the show and repeat my request...it's worked for me for the past 6 or seven years, in fact this year when I checked in the nice young lady that was at the desk commented "Oh I remember you, I just talked to you on the phone this past Monday".
My two main suggestions:
1. Have a specific Room number that you ask for.
2. Be friendly, when you call directly, ask what their weather is like or whatever, but just show a little personal interest, makes an individual much more willing to help you if you treat them like a friend.