Any suggestion on the best area to stay for the Augusta 70.3? …knowing you cannot get in the host hotel at waterfront.
I stayed at the Doubletree last year and it was about 10 minutes from transition. I felt that there was more out in that area than in downtown Augusta itself in terms of restaurants and places to go. The hotel was nice and rooms were clean. It was nice not to deal with the host hotel madness and battling for an elevator.
I can tell you where not to stay… Budget Inn. That was probably one of the nastiest places I have ever been in. Thats what I get for being cheap.
My buddy and I actually ran into Tim Don staying there…
In 2010 I was not able to get into the host hotel so I called a couple times every week and finally picked up a cancellation. If you keep on it one will open up.
West Bank Inn if you just need a place to stay. !Cheap! 10min drive to transition. It was 75% triathletes when we stayed here. Nothing fancy but was clean, comfortable, and convenient. If you are like me, I hate spending a ton on place to stay for a race when you are only going to be there from 8pm - 6am.
They have breakfast available very early on race morning and there is a McD’s next door if you need a big cup o’ joe in the AM.
Reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g29212-d530418-Reviews-West_Bank_Inn-Augusta_Georgia.html
I stayed at the Holiday inn in Aiken both times I went. It’s about a 20’ drive race morning, but it was cheap, pretty nice and close to everything practical (other than the actual race)
The past 2 years we have stayed at the Best Western on Center West Parkway. Its cheap, clean, and roughly a 10-15 minute drive to the race, and its in the middle of a bunch of shopping centers/chain restaurants.
Ramada Inn on Broad St, no question. The closest hotel to the swim start, you can literally stay in your room until 15 min before your wave goes off. Walk down/back to transition race morning or walk a couple blocks over to the host hotel and take the shuttle. They have breakfast everyday and on race morning they put stuff out extra early for those of us racing. Its also right on the run course. Call and ask for Phyllis, she has assisted me with my reservations the last 3 years, she’s awesome. Tell her Jon from Tampa suggested you contact her.
NOT NOT NOT the Ramada. That place was an absolute dump. We had duct tape on the cushions of our chair and tons of mold growing around the A/C unit. There was a drug dealer making sales in the hallway next to our room and to top it all off the front desk literally got into a fist fight at 5AM race morning. They knocked over the file cabinets and copy machine in the process. The whole experience was like being in the twilight zone.
But yeah, it is close to the swim start lol
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+1 on the Ramada. I set up transition early and was able to come back to the hotel to relax for an extra 1-2 hours before short walk to swim start.
Plenty of lodging and dining options on Washington road.
Great, thanks to everyone for the responses!