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Page last updated Nov 15 2009. Welcome to the Doubletree Hotel Portland (also known as "the Lloyd Center Doubletree"), OryCon's home for at least the next three years (and we hope longer). The deadline for making room reservations was November 13 2009. Note that if you're coming to OryCon on Thanksgiving itself, the hotel would like you to know they are planning a Thanksgiving buffet in their restaurant. Full menu and prices here. Since this is a new hotel this year, here is a map to help you get around. Note that a map will also appear in the pocket program. Why did OryCon move? When it came time to negotiate the 2009 hotel contract for OryCon, we decided to investigate what other possibilities might be available besides the Marriott. That hotel had been a good home for OryCon ever since the previous hotel suddenly shut down, but after the recent renovation there, the prices were definitely going up (a lot). We found that the Lloyd Center Doubletree (a much larger property) was interested in signing a long-term agreement with us and we happily took them up on it. Why Thanksgiving Weekend? When we talked to hotels for 2009, we found that a large city-wide convention was scheduled for mid-November, and this had a big impact on the dates available to us. Because the Doubletree was very interested in our business on a long-term basis, they gave us an excellent deal on the meeting space price and the cost of the sleeping rooms (not to mention free parking!) for 2009. Even better, in future years, OryCon will be moving back to its traditional "whatever-weekend-is-closest-to-Veteran's-Day" schedule, for at least the next three years. What is the difference between "standard" rooms and "premium" rooms? There are two wings to the hotel, built decades apart. The standard rooms in the older wing are smaller, and can only comfortably fit a single queen bed. (Take my word for this - during the first OryCon there in 1979, when these rooms were the only ones there, we tried to fit three people in the room and the person in the sleeping bag on the floor was constantly getting stepped on.) The premium rooms, in the newer wing, are much larger (quite possibly the largest rooms we've had at any OryCon hotel). Each room contains either two queen beds, or one king bed plus a sleeper sofa. For $20 more a night, it's easy to fit in two more people. There are separate elevator banks for the two wings, but they interconnect on each floor.
Because of the larger size of the premium rooms, the party rooms will
all be in the premium rooms.
How do I make room reservations? The easiest way is through this reservation link. You can also call the hotel reservation line at 800-996-0510 and ask the group rate for "ORYCON". Our block is now open. Please note: As is the industry standard, the Doubletree is requiring a first night's deposit when you make a room reservation. This is either in the form of a check for the cost of that first night (refunded if you cancel your reservation at least 72 hours in advance), or a credit card number to guarantee the room. Your credit card will not be charged unless you fail to cancel less than 72 hours in advance. Also a new industry standard we're encountering is the "early checkout penalty". If you leave before the day you're scheduled to checkout, you may end up paying a penalty. So it's important to let the hotel know if your plans have changed - either before you arrive, or when you check in. What's the smoking policy? The Doubletree is an entirely non-smoking facility (yes, even the bar in the lobby). This means there are no smoking rooms in the hotel. (It's entirely a corporate decision - and no, OryCon has no ability to change this.) What can you tell me about parties? The Doubletree's online reservation system doesn't have the ability for us to request "Party" or "Non-Party" rooms, and blocking party rooms must be done manually. If you wish to be placed on the party floor: once you make your reservation, contact me at hotel at orycon.org to request a party room, and I will pass your request on to our rep at the hotel. All party rooms will be in the premium room block. Just like the old days, all parties rooms are private rooms. This means that there are no corkage charges for bringing in food or drink for your parties, and there is no extra fee for throwing a party. How do I get to the hotel? Well now, that depend on your preferred mode of arrival.
Driving: From the South (on I-5): Take Exit 302A ("Rose Quarter/Broadway-Weidler"). Follow the signs to Lloyd Center, turning right at the first traffic signal on to Weidler. Drive approximately 0.4 miles and turn right to 9th Ave (the corner with Bank of the West). The hotel will be on your left, just past the second traffic light. From the East (on I-84): Take Exit 1 ("Lloyd Center"). Turn right at 11th Ave. The hotel will be on your left, just past the first traffic light.
By public transit:
From the Airport:
By Train (Amtrak): Our room block is now closed. Remember, parking is free this year no matter what size room you got! Additional questions? Send mail to hotel@orycon.org. |
OryCon 31 is a production of
Oregon Science Fiction
Conventions, Inc. (OSFCI), a non-profit,
tax-exempt corporation.
Artwork is copyrighted and graciously provided by the Artist Guest of Honor, Lubov.
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