When I did the race I always stayed at the host hotel and paid something like $260-$340 per night range. This past weekend, I stayed in Marriott Middleton about 11 miles to the race. Biggest problem with "driving’"to any race is parking. Finding one and paying $$$.
I’ve been so wrong! I paid $100 per night to Marriott in Middleton and driving is about 10 minutes to race. Parking?? There was more than needed! And I paid $3 all day.
I am not staying at the host hotel or anywhere around again.
I will agree with your premise. We have stayed out of downtown for the past several years (some years racing, some just in town to spectate). This year we picked up a room at the Best Western for Sunday night (stayed out east the other nights), and it was completely worth it. Having the ability to run up and shower post race, then head back down to the finish line to see our friends finish and hang out until midnight was very nice.
I pay to stay downtown so my family has somewhere to go while I’m racing. If I were traveling alone, I agree, staying outside of town would probably be fine.
Last year, my wife and I stayed in Middleton and drove in to town. I was surprised that parking didn’t turn out to be that big of a hassle. There were always spots at the Wilson ramp just 3 blocks from Monona Terrace and I don’t think we ever paid more than $5. Of course, it was just the two of us so it was easy to be flexible.
By this time next year, we’ll have a 6-month-old, so we opted for a room at the Madison Concourse. Knowing that we won’t have to do any driving and that mama and baby will never be more than a couple blocks from the hotel is well worth the extra dough.
When do you get the room? I was on yesterday and the best that was still available was the Sheraton… now the best you can do distance wise is Best Western 3.5 miles away. Do some of the closer rooms come available later on or show up when someone cancels?
We stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in Middleton for $100/night and it couldn’t have been better. We got downtown early enough on race day to get free street parking. After I finished the swim they went back to the hotel for complimentary breakfast, then headed a few miles west on Rt 14 to catch me on the bike in Cross Plains. After I passed the second time they went downtown and parked at the stadium and took the shuttle in, but they had stopped collecting parking fees for the day, so they parked for free again.
Worked out pretty well for us.
Try The Edgewater. It is not on the official hotel list and is essentially opposite Monona Terrace on Lake Mendota (hence “The Edgewater”). Usually a 2 night minimum and rooms are less expensive than at other hotels.
I stayed at the Roadway Inn NE for 61 a night. Was dusty but can’t best that price!
Holiday Inn express on john nolan. Its five minute walk to the shuttle at the energy center on race morning. 2 mile drive to mona terrace the rest of the week
When do you get the room? I was on yesterday and the best that was still available was the Sheraton… now the best you can do distance wise is Best Western 3.5 miles away. Do some of the closer rooms come available later on or show up when someone cancels?
Rooms downtown seem to fill up faster than the race itself. Rooms went live at 8am Monday and I did that before standing in the volunteer line to register. They had computers setup after registration so most people grabbed their rooms right after registration.
I agree though, if I didn’t have family and a young son with us we’d stay away from downtown, and likely the west side. But the benefits for the family are worth it for me and it is nice to have a quick walk after the race for the shower and bed!
When do you get the room? I was on yesterday and the best that was still available was the Sheraton… now the best you can do distance wise is Best Western 3.5 miles away. Do some of the closer rooms come available later on or show up when someone cancels?
I drove into Madison from the Twin Cities that morning to sign up. Fortunately, my wife was gracious enough to reserve our rooms at 8am while I was still on the road. The Hilton filled up almost immediately…as in, within 5 minutes. Just for curiosity’s sake, I checked the computers after registration (~11am) and all of the locations within a mile of Monona Terrace had filled. I checked again last night and all of the hotels wihin about 5 miles were booked. I’m sure that rooms will open up here and there over the next 11.5 months as everyone’s plans settle into place. But, since we needed two rooms, I’m glad we have everything squared away now. Thanks Wife!
This was my 7th IMWISC, so I kind of know the drill. My wife was on line at 8am when the hotel registration opened and booked the Best Western. Downtown hotels fill while many participants are standing in registration line.
Thom
Awesome! Thank you. This was a little pricy ($209 a night), but they had a two room suite with two baths - two double beds and a queen bedroom. So technically it will be cheaper now, so the inlaws can come and split the cost with us.
no problem. we had a 2 room suite with kitchenette for 2010. you will not get lost in place b/c it is so large, but there’s enough room to move around and have your IM stuff organized and apart from everyone else’s. the place is pretty much walking distance from the center of activity and they offer a shuttle as well. good luck to you in training and racing.
Thanks as well. I just booked the two bedroom lakefront suite and it looks like all five guys traveling with me from Atlanta will have a bed. We were hoping to find a rental house so we could spread out more, but there doesn’t appear to be many places available for a party of six. I might still look around, but at least I have something booked for our IMMoo Crew now.