I'm waiting until they actually have a race. If 2012 happens, I'm going to go in 2013.
A colleague ventured to Austin last autumn and investigated finding hotel rooms. He found that most of the big name hotels were not taking reservations as they were hedging their bets that they'd be the official hotels which would host the teams, sponsors, etc. We did get four suite rooms booked at a hotel supposedly a ten minute drive from the track at $140/night and we heard other places in the area were taking reservations. BHW
The Homestead Inn in New Bransfels is very nice, no matter which structure you use. IIRC last I was in the Rose Garden or something like that.. Gruene Mansion will be nice as we can drink late with Charlie Robison, or whoever is playing there that weekend..... Both include breakfast in the morning and a nice drive up 21 and you are THERE!! Austin venues are going to get #x normal rates I am sure, try the Driskoll downtown. Again anything "close to the track" will be Del Valle or Bastrop...not Austin at all..tip you shuttle driver well!! I think there's a RV park in Bastrop that the property borders the Colorado River...
Every single hotel that I have attempted to book is reporting no availability between Nov 14-18. Not much fun.
I wouldn't stay right in Austin anyway. I'd hit up a surrounding area preferably one of the small towns within 45 minutes of the event.
Saw this article today. Austin F1 track set for August completion By Jonathan Noble Thursday, January 19th 2012, 10:19 GMT Austin's new Formula 1 track is on course to be completed in the middle of August, AUTOSPORT can reveal, with construction efforts now fully back on course at the United States venue. Although there was uncertainty about the future of the race last year amid a dispute over the contract - with work at the circuit being halted for several weeks - a big push by Austin's organisers ensured it remained on the final 2012 calendar issued by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in early December. With its deal secure, construction resumed at the track shortly afterwards and track chiefs have confirmed that the recent delays will not have any negative effect on its November 18 event taking place. Senior representatives from the Circuit of the Americas, including president Steve Sexton, executive vice president Bruce Knox, director of racing operations Chuck Aksland, and chief marketing and sales officer Geoff Moore are in London this week for meetings with Bernie Ecclestone to update him on progress. Moore told AUTOSPORT: "The race is on. Construction is happening six days a week. The paddock buildings are being topped off, work on the main grandstand has started and we are looking at mid-August for completion." Pressure on the construction efforts has been eased by the fact that the race's date has been shifted from an original June date to its November slot where it will form a back-to-back with season finale Brazil. Although a reported $25 million payment from local government, as part of a Major Event Trust Fund, will not be given to Austin officials in advance track chiefs say the venue already has advanced funding in place to ensure completion of the track. The money will be applied for after the race, once it is clear just how much tax revenue the Austin Grand Prix has generated for the local economy. The total cost for the Circuit of the Americas is estimated at $350 million, with track chiefs hoping to attract 120,000 spectators for the inaugural event.
The lack of hotel rooms and good ingress/egress will ultimately kill this event. Give it 3-4 years. Unlike Indianapolis, which has plenty of rooms, Austin does not. Especially not for 120,000 people. Even New Jersey will be easier.
There are some left, at $300-$400/night. Even Indianapolis does not have those kind of hotel whores. I made a mistake, some rooms at $2000/night also available.
In 2001, I recall having a 3 or 4 day minimum with rates about $300-400. This was a hotel that normally was <$100/night.
I was seeing a minium of 5 nights at $900+ night, for very average accommodations. I'm sorry -- but I support F1 in the USA, but I will not single-handedly finance it. Honestly, even $300/night is steep. At Indy, I think our hotel was around $190/night or something quite reasonable. I'm not a cheap traveler, but I don't want to feel abused in the process either.
Downtown Indy, Homewood Suites, I paid $175/night the first year, and each year after for the USGP. I did see one Austin hotel for $900/night. Like I said, even Indy does not have such hotel whores.
BT, the Driskill has a 4 night minimum and starts at $1100 PER FRIGGIN NIGHT. In all my years of attending races, never have I seen such a pathetic welcome to racefans as is being demonstrated by the city of Austin, Texas.
You tried the ones I mentioned?? I have a classmate that lives three blocks behind the Homestead you can stay at his house maybe. He's also local and can hook you up with something.. Let me call and give him the 'heads up"...he is a lawyer in New Bransfels
Hunt Group has a tower crane up on a 28 floor hotel on Congress, I saw it last weekend. I appreciate the Fchatter invite to bid on it....it won't be ready for 2012, but surely 2013??
PUT that money away!! Ya'll are staying with me, aren't you? My brother says I can use his RV, too......we have tons of 'em at the Ranch..
Okay, look....I JUST got off the phone with reservations..they are wide open for the dates in question...(they had never heard of this F1 thing, they knew Red McCombs of course... ) GrueneHomesteadInn.com to see the rooms/suites, check out State Hwy 21 (or IH35) back to the track location... Call NOW and book it up! 1-800 238-5534 They even mentioned "dealing" DISCOUNTS on the WEEKDAYS of a four night stay 11/14 thru 11/18. I'll try to get somebody good into Gruene Hall up the street that weekend, I can ONLY do SO much!! And this place is romantic, if your wife doesn't reward you, for you romantic sensitivity, well that's YOUR problem. Hot Texas breakfast included with the room, and all the ice you can USE!! The BigTex F1 Special! The Rose Cottage is really nice, check out the Lady Banks and Belinda Suites
I am sorry the Austin venues are doing this (to my FRIENDS!) I built the Marriott at the Capitol on 11th, I always liked staying there as it was a very familiar floorplan! Inddor outdoor pool , hot tub, gym and all that jazz, IIRC Marriott sold it, maybe a Hilton or something?? As the name implies, it is very close to the Capitol and our State Cemetary, in case you wanted to pay repects to Charlie Wilson, or our 9/11 Memorial. New Branfles is a quiet, gentler place......try the number! This would be great for all the Fchatters to take it over and party, oh, Tavern on the Green is right next door! Start the hot tub......
Where's Jimmie Vaughan? I need to get him, and Omar and the Howlers penciled in, for our front yard..... Maybe Alvin Crow and John X. Reed, too...... Somebody need to put ME in charge of flanging these details up, not some out of town "event planner"....this is too important to f*(^*& it all up!
Next door to historic Gruene Hall, the Gruene Mansion Inn offers various sized suites, from 1 bedroom lofts (with fireplace!) to large multi bedroom suites. Breakfast is also included in the room rates at this B&B as well. Just spoke with them on the phone (or leave a message and they DO call you back!) and they checked the week of November 14 thru 18, 2012 and the ENTIRE property is available and at NORMAL rates. The same route comments above would apply to this venue, located in downtown historic Gruene. See the website for Gruene Hall for more information on that venue. No way to tell this far out who will be performing that weekend I will posts as soon as I know. Reservation Line 830 629-2641 The units overlooking the Gualdalupe River in the back of the property are the most private, (see site map on the website) just don't tumble down the hill into the river, before you wake up with some good Hill Country coffee. BigTex approved.......
You be pimpin'!! Hey! Leave me some scrambled eggs and tortillas.... Check the drive time on SH 21 from New Branfels to Bastrop. My attorney friend just might have the local stroke to get us some Police escort, that day....always good to have the bright lights AHEAD of you! Seriously you will love this place.
