Seeing how IMNYC is a flop…or at least thats how I perceive 2013 is going to be. Can anyone recommend good places to stay in Coeur d’Alene? It looks like the main hotel there is booked solid for the event. I’m trying to decide if I want to do this race or IMMT when registration opens up for next year.
I think Coeur d’Alene is one of the best races on the circuit.
One of the very few negatives is the locals gouging on prices for accomodation. It’s just out of control. Lot’s of 5 to 7 day mandatory stays and paying 100% up front. Prices typically 3 to 5 x what they normally charge for a week.
If you are looking to save money and are willing to drive, you can get cheaper hotels closer to Spokane (unless the big bball tourney is on) or look for cabins on the other side of the lake.
Good Luck,
Mike
I always stay at the Ameritel Inn and will do so again next year. Its not right downtown, probably 3 miles away. No night minimum, no deposit, basically make the reservation and cancel if things don’t work out. The price is a little lower than what others are charging, but there is still a sizable markup.
I always stay at Liberty Lake Wa (5 times now) … no limits and no gouging … its a 15 min drive to the race site and theres lots of parking at the event. Staying at the CDA resort is a big rip off in my personal opinion. I usually stay at the Peppertree but there are other options as well … lots of triathletes stay there.
Good luck … CDA is a great event.
Dave
There is a specific website for IMCDA rentals. It is a mandatory 5 night for the one that we got and it is $1500 not including tax and another $500 deposit with another $100 cleaning fee. The $500 is non refundable if you cancel. We reserved ours about a month ago so not sure what is still out there. Take Luck and we’ll see you there.
www.cdagetaway.com
I did IM CDA this year for the first year and loved the entire experience, I cannot imagine any IM addict not doing one of the original races ASAP in their “career.”
I am also the cheapest bastard alive, and was shocked at the gouging I witnessed for lodging even a year out. The local hotels are, of course, shockingly high b/c you are right there in the middle of the action and all that downtown CDA has to offer. If you can afford it, don’t scrimp on the experience.
I, on the other hand, am barely hanging on to this expensive and elitist addiction by a thread. After getting rejected by everyone and their mother (literally) on VRBO, Airbnb, I finally just capitulated and posted on Craigslist. Within a day, I had a house rented in Hayden, a suburb about 10 minutes from the start (and formerly along the previous bike path). It was beautiful, and the drive between had all of the strip-mall conveniences I needed. And with a little recon, it took me 20 minutes to park before the race, and 15 minutes to walk from the car to the swim on race day. This is not NYC. Oh, and it was $85/night, no ridiculous hotel taxes and online booking fees and resort fees and all the other absurd costs that have ruined American lodging for poor triathletes like me.
The locals are wonderful, but they’re not stupid. The closer to the epicenter, the more flesh they will extract from your Ironman budget. A lot of locals will actually tell you maybe, b/c they may be putting up a pro again, or have a lifetime IM CDA racer they host every year, and won’t know for sure until May. Uh,… no. So if you’re willing to give up being in the heart of Ironman, consider Craigslist. I turned down more offers than I considered. Good luck, you’ll love it!