working there was fascinating. i had to sign out a gas mask to go and visit my boss (not the first time!)
working there was fascinating. i had to sign out a gas mask to go and visit my boss (not the first time!)
Have finally got an answer from Premier Inn about block booking for this coming years event.
Not particularly good news, the head central booking office can only , wait for it, book a max of 4 rooms at a time without getting higer authority, I did say a min of 8 but all they suggested was two bookings of 4 rooms. They also cannot allocate rooms together thst is the province of the hotel itself.
The person I spoke to couldn't/ wouldn't offer any discounts for a block booking except what is already available on the website. Currently for the weekend in Oct Fri is Ł50 and Sat Ł78. He suggested booking individually then asking the hotel to put us on the same floor.
This weekend Ill try calling the hotel itself to see what they say and will report next week.
Doesnt surprise me these days as you dont seem to get discounts anymore.
That is a shame Chris. What a great advert for camping out at the South Yorkshire Air Museum itself: They are shooting themselves in the foot there without realising IMHO.
There is always the chance that locally the hotel will be more aware of us and just how popular Doncaster 201* events are becoming. As Marion and I found out the perils of driving from home location is that you do miss out - I'm mostly talking about the dinner on Saturday evening. Though thanks to a certain Lancaster I won at Doncaster 2015 our mission became getting her home without a single broken propeller blade ... Only to read up on just how much of an integral part of the event the full range of Saturday activities are - again in my opinion. Maybe once aware of our requirements they might have some luck in persuading head office to think differently as to the above.
BTW did anybody realise that the camping area at the South Yorks Air Museum is actually the heliport? I'd better not try arriving at the next one via MD-902 or Gazelle!
Seems a bit miserable of them, but there again they know we are going to stay there so why offer us anything. Got us by the short and curlys.
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Ouch all rooms booked on Bookings . com for there and all the other Premier inns , and the Radcliffe just down the way. The Campanile knocking shop still has vacancies at high prices so its off campus for me and Mary as we need Thursday , Friday and Saturday accom .
Update No rooms at the Inn for Saturday 1st Oct.
Last edited by tikkifriend; 01-22-2016 at 09:15.
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
For BottosCon, the rates weren't spectacular, but the Con managed a package deal with free WiFi, parking, and a discount at the hotel restaurant. That was the best we could get. Rob [BobRoberts], the Con organizer, said at the end of BottosCon 2015 that the cost was going up for the next Con.
Being that Premier Inns are offering what seemed to be the lowest price in the neighbourhood, they didn't have much reason to offer an even lower rate. And if the rooms are already booked, there is no incentive to do so.
Victims of your own success? And no place to stay for international guests?
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
There are rooms at the Park Inn Radison but it is a hike from the venue.
See you on the Dark Side......
Looks like we are stuffed. They've gone too. Any ideas?
Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 01-22-2016 at 10:08.
See you on the Dark Side......
OK. Done deal. Booked 3 rooms at the Grand St Ledger hotel for Andy, Rob, Eileen, Karen and myself.
See you on the Dark Side......
Ended up at the Holiday Express Inn, bit South of the Museum but there you go. Still We can all play bang in the bar at the Brewers like last time eh
Last edited by tikkifriend; 01-22-2016 at 10:52.
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Anybody had any luck getting in the Premier?
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Can we have a show of hands as to who has booked accommodation at Doncaster, or is traveling daily for weekend 1/2 October 2016. I will add names to this list as and when I get them. Could those staying at hotels indicate which hotel they are at please.
Neil: Grand St Ledger
Karen: Grand St Ledger
Rob: Grand St Ledger
Eileen: Grand St Ledger
Andrzej: Grand St Ledger
Paul: Grand St Ledger
Mary: Grand St Ledger
Chris (hedeby): Daily commute
Barney: Daily commute
Marion: Daily commute
Tim: Grand St Ledger
Reg: daily commute
Doug: Daily commute
Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 01-25-2016 at 14:50.
See you on the Dark Side......
Two commuting (Barney and Marion) but not drinking or arriving by helicopter.
PS - That has actually happened before when a Eurocopter EC135P2 just happened to drop by Winthorpe Airfield (Newark Air Museum) on December 19th 2008. Out jumps me with two hours to spend before my lift turns up as the Staff wonder because the helicopter was yellow if it was Prince William ...
Nah! Just Barney D popped in for some Airfix Glue!!!
Full up already!
Next year we REALLY MUST get a wriggle on to prevent this happening again.
It's so popular there - someone must have talked!
I've just managed to get in at the Grand St Leger
The usual weekend seems to be free, maybe there's some big event elsewhere in the locale that weekend.
Just as a pointer the planning for Doncaster 2017 has already started.
See you on the Dark Side......
We now have 13 of last years 32 confirmed. Lets see if we can beat 32 and make this the best one yet.
See you on the Dark Side......
The big difference is the change of date, forced on us by the venue, the lack of accomodation spots must be due to another event taking place.
This puts me in a spot I must admit now, a bit far to commute from Bristol on a daily basis, will have to see if there is an alternate bed close, but from the comments so far doesnt sound good.
OOh Been to the Campanile in 2013. It was a knocking shop for Eastern block hookers , No kidding they were lining the balcony at the back of the place in their "dressing gowns" and the taxis were dropping the punters off all day and night. . Waste bins full of empties etc.
There again it might have changed !!!!
Try the Holiday Inn Express or the Grand St Leger.
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Any thoughts for the Saturday Evening bash yet chaps ?
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
We're working an amended programme out. This will include moving the Ace of Aces to Sunday morning. Hopefully the same venue for the Sat night meal and Friday night at the LFGS.
Neil
See you on the Dark Side......
Sorry but the last time I used the Doncaster Campanile was in the 80's when I was still a Southerner and Doncaster was a foreign country (to me) so obviously couldn't see the difference between Eastern block and locals. Or perhaps that was before the East Anglians moved in.
Bad news I see, chaps. I rely on you as far as these arrangements are concerned. I would not like to miss the opportunity to meet you all as usual...
As a minor ally I will follow the voice of the majority...
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
Girls night out..Boys night in (FLGS). I hope!
See you on the Dark Side......
Chaps, is the date 1-2 Oct fixed and we are just looking for an accomodation or the date is about to be changed because of the "Premier Inn" issue?
It is important for those who shal book flights....
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
As far as I am aware 1/2 Oct is fixed as the only available date for the venue. It's just pure bad luck that hotel space is limited and getting smaller.
See you on the Dark Side......
I hope it is firmed up Andy. You are booked in with Neil and us.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Hotel Availability: as at 22.50 tonight
Grand St Ledger: 2 rooms.
Holiday Inn Express: 3 rooms.
Earl of Doncaster: 2 rooms.
Regent Hotel: no indication but not full.
Mercure Hotel: no indication but not full.
Restover Lodge: no indication but not full.
These are all on Booking.Com site.
See you on the Dark Side......
I may be a comute for Sat and Sun, doubtful for Sat night. Will know more in a couple of weeks time
Good job on the room research Neil - and I promise no one will have trouble getting back even if it means lemonades and taxi duties for yours truely
Never Knowingly Undergunned !!
Flight booked
Can not wait to have a beer with you chaps again.
The Minor Ally,
Andy.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
Wouldn't be the same without you there Andrzej
Never Knowingly Undergunned !!
Great to know all is now in place my dear friend.
See you at the EM arrivals.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Do we have any more confirmations? We're looking thin on the ground at present.
See you on the Dark Side......
I'll be consuming enough spirit to drown the Manley Flu!
Bookmarks