The Tucson Lodging Project

Hi all.

I spoke with Hanuman briefly in Tucson this February regarding the
ongoing difficulty of many Orchid members in locating appropriate
lodging for the Tucson shows.

As a service to this community I would like to simplify the task a
bit by gathering that will allow the prospective Tucson
visitor to more easily compare what is available with regards to
their specific needs and interests.

I plan to compile hotel and motel data, ie: location, hotel contact
amenities, dates available, rates including any special
block of rooms made available to our group, etc. The will
then be posted on the Ganoksin site where those interested may use it
in making their personal lodging arrangements.

The listing will not be interactive; those interested must contact
hotels personally to make their arrangements. The will
be provided in good faith with no guarantee of availability or
suitability of accommodations.

This is a proprosal for Orchid members who may be visiting Tucson
'06 and will NOT be reserving rooms pre-arranged by their show
promoters.

We are over 5000 strong but I would like to have more specific
numbers as regards Tucson '06 attendance and potential room
requirements. Only general numbers and dates will be necessary as I
inquire about availability of accommodations. Gathering this group
may assist me in negotiating a package offer or discount
rates through some hotels or motels. Only the travel dates, guest
numbers and accommodation requirements will be used in this effort
and there is no obligation or commitment associated with submitting
any Any personal or identification
associated with your submission will not be stored or shared with any
others.

Those interested Orchid members please contact me directly
(songofthephoenix@pobox.com; subject line: “Orchid lodging '06”) to
share the requested below.

-If you reserve each consecutive year at your current hotel would
you consider other accommodations if we were able to arrange a group
discount?

-At your present location? (which is?)

-At a different location? (do you have a suggestion?)

-If you do NOT reserve each consecutive year with the same hotel
would you be interested in a group or “block” arrangement for
accommodations?

-Approximate dates of visit '06

-Approximate number of nights staying

-Number in your party

-Distance willing to travel to Convention Center

-Amenities preferred - relative importance of which ones?

-Would you be interested in sharing a room with another orchid
member?

-Do you have a Tucson Hotel to recommend?

-Do you have misgivings about a Tucson Hotel? (if issue was not
satisfactorily resolved, include a very brief description)

Thank you
Pam Chott
www.songofthephoenix.com

Fantastic idea, thank you Pam!

Orchidians - please respect Pam’s request not to treat this like a
free booking and travel agency service! Last year I offered to put a
(short) list of suggested hotels, restaurants, etc., on my website,
and I was swamped by people’s questions and requests for further
including about pricing and room sizes, and even a
complaint when my suggestions weren’t what they expected!!

Just as a heads up I was driving past the Manning house the other day
and noticed that is is for sale. The Manning house is right on the
freeway ( I-10) and Congress. It has been a venue for the gem show in
the past, I 'm not sure it was this year. If anyone wants
I will provide it, contact me off list.

Sam Patania, Tucson
www.patanias.com

Good idea Pam

Have been going to Tucson for the past 20 years and it is getting
worst. At the Holidome where I stayed for 7 years in a row it now
cost $150.00 a day.

Last year I managed one week at the Extended Stay / Crossland and it
cost around $380.00 a week.

Problem is they will not take advance booking. They start booking
around 1st Jan and by 2nd they are sold out unless someone cancels.
May be as a group we can book earlier and they have good efficiency
apartments.

I was looking at other properties for Monthly (four week) rental
with atleast 2 bedrooms for the entire month of Febuary. With
visitors and family we are always 6 of us in Tucson during the show.

Kenneth Singh
46 Jewelry Supply
46 West 46 St,
New York, NY 10036

Speacking of rented appartments -

One year I rented an appartment for a one month and it cost me
US$ 500 for the full month. It was on North oracal Right next to a
bus stop and I took the bus to the city center. The name was
Cambridge Apartments, Sorry I dont Have a telephone number regards
Ahmed shareek From Sunny Sri Lanka

Crescent Gems
Discount Superstore

Continue from

Hello again.

It’s been about 3 weeks since I first posted about the '06 lodging
project. I have included the original post below for those who may
have missed it originally.

Thank you to all who have confirmed an interest as well as those who
have taken the time to share data points and make suggestions. Our
negotiating power will be optimized if I am able to somewhat
accurately represent the numbers of rooms/nights that the Orchid
organization is planning to reserve during the Tucson shows. And of
course, arrangements must be negotiated months in advance if we are
to have reasonable success.

To date I have received just a few replies by Orchid members
interested in finding lodging for the show or reserving with others
in a block of rooms if such a benefit can be arranged.

The numbers presently would occupy up to 10 rooms with a total of
perhaps 20 individuals. There may be many others who would reply but
for lack of more solid travel details and requirements.

If you expect to visit the Tucson shows and would be interested in
what we may be able to arrange, please reply even if your details are
still in flux.

Thank you in advance.

Pam Chott
www.songofthephoenix.com

The original posting:

I spoke with Hanuman briefly in Tucson this February regarding the
ongoing difficulty of many Orchid members in locating appropriate
lodging for the Tucson shows.

As a service to this community I would like to simplify the task a
bit by gathering that will allow the prospective Tucson
visitor to more easily compare what is available with regards to
their specific needs and interests.

I plan to compile hotel and motel data, ie: location, hotel contact
amenities, dates available, rates including any special
block of rooms made available to our group, etc. The will
then be posted on the Ganoksin site where those interested may use it
in making their personal lodging arrangements.

The listing will not be interactive; those interested must contact
hotels personally to make their arrangements. The will
be provided in good faith with no guarantee of availability or
suitability of accommodations.

This is a proprosal for Orchid members who may be visiting Tucson
'06 and will NOT be reserving rooms pre-arranged by their show
promoters.

We are over 5000 strong but I would like to have more specific
numbers as regards Tucson '06 attendance and potential room
requirements. Only general numbers and dates will be necessary as I
inquire about availability of accommodations. Gathering this group
may assist me in negotiating a package offer or discount
rates through some hotels or motels. Only the travel dates, guest
numbers and accommodation requirements will be used in this effort
and there is no obligation or commitment associated with submitting
any Any personal or identification
associated with your submission will not be stored or shared with any
others.

Those interested Orchid members please contact me directly
(songofthephoenix@pobox.com; subject line: “Orchid lodging '06”) to
share the requested below.

-If you reserve each consecutive year at your current hotel would
you consider other accommodations if we were able to arrange a group
discount?

-At your present location? (which is?)

-At a different location? (do you have a suggestion?)

-If you do NOT reserve each consecutive year with the same hotel
would you be interested in a group or “block” arrangement for
accommodations?

-Approximate dates of visit '06

-Approximate number of nights staying

-Number in your party

-Distance willing to travel to Convention Center

-Amenities preferred - relative importance of which ones?

-Would you be interested in sharing a room with another orchid
member?

-Do you have a Tucson Hotel to recommend?

-Do you have misgivings about a Tucson Hotel? (if issue was not
satisfactorily resolved, include a very brief description)

Thank you
Pam Chott
www.songofthephoenix.com