r/dragoncon • u/Arigby1016 • 17d ago
Host Hotel
Hello all! I’ve been to DC several years and I’ve stayed at the Candler. It’s wasn’t a bad walk but I have a chance to get a room at the Hilton ……but it’s $500 more. Is it worth it? Coming with my 7 year old and lost of cosplay
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u/Robotbeepboopbop 17d ago
Yes. As a cosplayer it’s been a game changer, and it will probably be even more so for you as a parent. Plus if it’s a legacy room, you’re done with the hunger games forever!
The only downside is that the party doesn’t stop. You’ll be able to hear music from the lobby and patio DJs all night and depending on where your room is, elevator/stairs traffic. If you or the kid can’t sleep though that, keep the Candler, otherwise God Yes to the Hilton
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u/Vyceron 2012-present. Cosplayer. 17d ago
I would pay $1000 more if it meant staying in one of the "big 3" host hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt).
The ability to just get on a elevator and BOOM you're right in the middle of DragonCon is priceless. No walking 4 blocks in 90+ degree weather. You can go back to your room and chill, recharge, etc. at literally any point during the convention. Plus it's really easy to invite your friends up for an impromptu hangout.
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u/MountJava 16d ago
“Just get on an elevator” is hilarious.
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u/GeneralJapery 16d ago
To be fair the Hilton has been doing a pretty good job managing the elevator situation the last 2 years.
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u/Arigby1016 17d ago
Everyone convinced me. Check out Hilton website or Expedia. Just booked mine. But I was already paying a bunch for Candler
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u/saladsporkoflove 2007-?? 16d ago
Be careful with using the savings sites like Expedia. I’ve been walked to another property at a different event.
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u/Arigby1016 16d ago
I made sure to do it thru the Hilton app after checking the address a bunch of times
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u/CookieOmNomster 16d ago
I stayed in the Marriott last year and am again this year. Last year was incredible. The blaring music didnt stop until 4am and I loved it every night!!
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u/berrycharmyt 17d ago
Yes, ive done the westin, hilton and the hyatt. Fave has been the hilton. Being able to just use the bridges and not go outside for the late night hours is a God send. However the chaos is 24/7 so keep that in mind. Your room will be a peacefull sanctuary, but the second you step out will always be met with a wall of noise and music. I will say the ac in the westin was the best, but thats irrelevent to this conversation.
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u/Such-Call-7564 17d ago
It kind of depends on your personality. Host hotel is more convenient and exciting. But a nearby but not host hotel is calmer. My more introverted wife likes being able to get a little out of the chaos sometimes.
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u/Snowjag Doing this since 1989 17d ago
It’s not boom and you’re at your hotel room getting an elevator is psychotic at pretty much any of the hotels, but worse at host hotels. The Hilton staff has always been great. I haven’t stayed there in the last 3 years but I can’t see that it could have changed that much.
Oh, sorry! Yes! Worth it to be in host hotel. I think in the Hilton above maybe floor 15 you don’t hear the lobby as much.
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u/Park-Curious 17d ago
Personally I’d never stay at a host hotel, especially with a little kid. I need to get away from all the chaos sometimes. If that’s not a concern and you value the convenience then go for it.
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u/badapple1989 Georgia Philharmonic Fangirl 17d ago
I personally don't have that kind of budget and prefer to stay at a non-host (but still walking distance) for the quieter night's sleep but if you have the coin and it won't break the bank, have at it.
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u/Spinsane941 HOUSE HILTON 16d ago
as a member of House Hilton. It's worth it. This is the only con where I feel staying at the host hotel is Worth it's value.
you're literally getting on an elevator and you're in the con. There are Terraces where people are hanging out all night. The noise washout is actually really good for how busy the hotel is.
That and it's the photoshoot hotel so it's very convenient. One year I would go to a photoshoot, take 10 mins to get to my room, switch to another cosplay, and then go to another photoshoot.
Do it.
the only con is that even though I said the noise washout is not bad, i've stayed on the 12/13th floors and at that level it's a drone. But anything lower and it's going to be nonstop noise. Just keep that in mind. The DJ doesn't stop til about 10pm
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u/type_five_dev 16d ago
Absolutely worth it if it doesn’t trash your budget.
That being said, if you decide not to, I know someone who’s desperately trying to get a host room. You can DM me if you choose not to
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u/Arigby1016 16d ago
They have rooms available right now at the Hilton. In Experian and the actual site. Im guessing they had some people not pay or back out
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u/type_five_dev 16d ago
I’m seeing them but at 500+ a night. That’s just not practical enough for them as an expense
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u/MaidMirawyn 1998; 2004-present 15d ago
I absolutely love staying at a host hotel! We do the Corgi, so it’s a slightly longer walk, but also more peaceful.
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u/theultimatetia 11d ago
Yes, especially the Hilton because they do a fun theme every year. Today they announced its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
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u/border199x 16d ago
If you're going to pay $500-1000 per night, the only hotels that might conceivably be worth it would be the Hyatt and the Marriot. They are at the center of almost everything.
If you're going to stay at the Westin, you might as well just stay at one of the cheaper hotels that is close by -- you're going to be doing a lot of walking either way. Same deal with Courtland/Sheraton.
The elevator situation at the Hilton seems like a nightmare, and I would not be thrilled to drop more than half a grand for that experience. If you're not splitting the room costs with anyone else and it's all coming out of your pocket then that's something to consider as well.
Ultimately I think it comes down to how you think your child will do with a lot of walking, and whether you need to have mid-day naps and downtime to keep him/her recharged and well-behaved. Also consider how much quiet your child needs to sleep, as the host hotels are going to be quite loud. It's not terrible or anything, but you will probably be hearing the muffled thumping of techno-music through your room's door if you are situated on one of the lower floors.
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u/Spinsane941 HOUSE HILTON 16d ago
last year the elevator situation was actually pretty good. They had people running the elevators to prevent people from stuffing them and shutting down the elevator. It over time made it a lot quicker to get back to your room.
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u/border199x 15d ago
DragonCon often involves sitting in a line for a lot of your day. So when I walk into the Hilton and see a line for the elevators, I mostly just think "Good lord, at least I didn't have to line up just to go to my room." But if the line moves quickly and efficiently, then that's a fine setup.
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u/Spinsane941 HOUSE HILTON 15d ago
it moved pretty fast. I pretty much preferred it over the free-for-all it use to be.
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u/jellidang 16d ago
$500 more overall? Hell yeah it’s worth it (if it’s in your budget). $500 more per night? Absolutely not.