Anyone have any really good or bad experiences with other hotels in the area? Trying to explore all options right now to find what makes the most sense for us.

I've stayed in the Days Inn on SW13 a few times. It's cheap and does the job!

Paramount Plaza on SW13th is a really nice hotel and pretty cheap, I just booked direct through their website.

Cool cool. We are mostly looking for cheap and not too far away. Pretty sure we've decided on Americas Best Value Inn.

I booked at Gainesville Lodge. The location is super and the rooms are only $100 per night! I haven't heard anyone mention it though - any thoughts as to why that is?

That's right across from the Days Inn. Go for whichever gives you the best price.

That's because for some years they were very anti Fest goers after some trouble in the early days. I think people are scarred to book in case they get turned away on arrival. I believe people stayed last year though but I'm not sure how things turned out. Asides from the Hampton Inn it's the best spot in town.

I stayed at the lodge for Fest 9, we had no problems. It's not the nicest joint but it's a cheap place to sleep and it's really close.

We stayed at the hampton inn last year but with the prices this year that's not happening which is a bummer.

This year we are staying at a bed and breakfast down the street from the hampton inn. They gave us a nice discount b/c we booked more than two nights.

Thanks for the input. We stayed at Hampton last year, but $400/night is definitely out of the price range (if even just on principal). Anyway, GNV LDG is booked, so I guess we'll see what happens!

Booked Best Value on Priceline for about $64 a night. Pretty damn pleased with that.

It's where I've stayed the past 3 years and will most likely do so again this year, so long as you don't mind the bit of a walk I'd say it does all you need of a room for Fest pretty well for a reasonable price.

We got a bed and breakfast near the area but it's not nearly as cheap as we liked, but it's nice. might just scrap that and just get a days inn for 4 nights and save on cash.

I've done the B&B in the past and wanted to do it again this year, but the cottages I wanted at the Sweetwater Branch Inn were booked already. Honestly, I think it's worth the money to be at the B&Bs (I think there's 3 right around the same area) and be in easy walking distance, rather than out further with some of the other hotels. (Oh, also, the Sweetwater has a giant Jacuzzi in nearly every room and cottage, which is the best thing EVER after being drunk and walking around for hours and hours.)

that's the b and b we booked this year instead of the hampton inn.

This is my first Fest
I was planning to stay on Paramount Plaza but...
According to it I have to be 21+ to check in.
Which I'm not.

Any suggestion for that?