Stay to Play and Save
Stay to Play and Save at the Lone Star Classic
- Why is LSC going Stay to Play and Save?
- What is Stay to Play and Save?
- How do I know that I am getting the best deal by booking within the LSC approved block?
- Why are some hotels not in the block?
- How many rooms do I have to book to be accepted into the tournament?
- How do I book rooms for my team?
- Special Situations: What if my team has...?
- What about the Stay and Save program that LSC provided last year?
- Contact Information
Why is LSC going Stay to Play and Save?
Earlier this year, Lone Star Classic conducted a survey of participants that stayed in the block last year. The number one request was to lower hotel rates. As seen below, Stay to Play and Save has led to dramatically decreased rates within the hotel block. The main catalyst for going Stay to Play and Save was to get the best possible rates for Lone Star Classic participants.
- Thus far, the rates have decreased by an average of over $20 per night from 2009 rates.
- 6 of the 11 hotels we have finalized negotiations with have dropped their rate below $100 per night.
- Some hotels that previously didn't offer breakfast are now adding complimentary breakfast to the rate.
| Hotel | 2010 Rate | 2009 Rate | Rate Change |
| Adolphus | $135 | $162 | (-$27) |
| Courtyard Market Center | $95 | $134 | (-$39) |
| Crowne Plaza Market Center |
$99 | $109 | (-$10) |
| Embassy Suites Market Center | $109 | $120 | (-$11) |
| Fairfield Inn Market Center | $85 | $119 | (-$34) |
| Hilton Garden Inn Market Center | $89 | $129 | (-$40) |
| Holiday Inn Market Center | $99 | $119 | (-$20) |
| Hyatt Regency | $135 | $159 | (-$24) |
| Aloft Downtown* | $132 | New Hotel | |
| Renaissance | $99 | $129 | (-$30) |
| Springhill Suites Downtown |
$119 | $139 | (-$20) |
*Before Stay to Play and Save policy the Aloft rate was $13 higher at $145.
Renegotiations are continuing and we will update as more rates are reduced.
In addition to the rate decreases, the Stay to Play and Save policy increases the amount of room nights available to teams and attendees. By increasing the proven number of room nights actually used for the purpose of attending the tournament, Lone Star Classic is able to prove to the city the true economic impact of the tournament for the city. This leads to a stronger relationship with the city and helps with convention center pricing.
In conclusion, Stay to Play and Save has many benefits, including:
- Lone Star Classic is able to provide accurate tracking of all room nights generated by the tournament. This gives the Lone Star Classic more negotiating power with the city. By proving the number of room nights generated, the tournament is able to book the convention center further out, thus securing the best dates for the tournament. In addition, it helps cut the cost of using the venue by decreasing or eliminating ancillary costs that come with renting the venue.
- Participants will recieve a package of savings for each room booked within the block. more>>
- It gives LSC more power to negotiate the best rates with the hotels.
What is Stay to Play and Save?
Stay to Play and Save is a policy that requires all teams and attendees to book their hotel rooms on AES (Advanced Event Systems) at an approved LSC hotel. With the renegotiated rates, you will see some of the lowest rates at the best hotels in Dallas. LSC will also provide a savings package for each room. Learn more about the savings package. more>>
How do I know that I am getting the best deal by booking within the LSC approved block?
LSC will continually run rate integrity checks on the hotel for the dates of the tournament to ensure that they are meeting their contractual obligation to provide the lowest group rate guarantee (excluding single/king rooms, employee rates, government rates, AAA and AARP rates). LSC has a wide variety of rate options available to teams and attendees. If you think you have found a better rate, please contact us.
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Why are some hotels not in the block?
Lone Star Classic is willing to work with most hotels in the city. The primary reasons that a hotel would not be contracted is:
- The hotel did not submit a bid to the CVB.
- The bid that was submitted had a rate that was too high for the hotel's product or location.
- The hotel was an exterior corridor hotel, meaning that access to rooms was from the outside and not through an interior lobby and hall. For the safety of all participants, Lone Star Classic is unable to contract with these hotels.
- The hotel was unable to offer the room types that teams need (double bedded rooms or king with sofa sleeper rooms.
- The hotel would not agree to the terms in the contract required by the Lone Star Classic.
How many rooms do I have to book to be accepted into the tournament?
In order to be accepted into Lone Star Classic, each team will be required to book a minimum of 5 rooms, each with a 2 night minimum stay. These 5 rooms can be made up of team rooms (where players are staying in a room together), coaches rooms, and/or parents rooms. As long as the club and team name are given when booking the room, the room will count toward the team total. Once five rooms have been reached, the team will be accepted into the tournament. Team room totals are based on each individual team and not on a club basis, so the specific team that you are booking for must be selected when making the reservation. Therefore, if a club is entering 4 teams into the tournament; they must book 5 rooms per team, for a minimum of 20 rooms.
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How do I book rooms for my team?
Reservations open on November 2, 2009.
If this is your first time booking for Lone Star Classic, please follow the Directions for Club Directors, Parents, and Spectators.
If you have booked before and know the process, click the tournament your team is attending. 2010 Mizuno Lone Star Classic (13-15) or 2010 Mizuno Lone Star Classic (11-12, 16-18 and Boys) depending on the age group.
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Special Situations: What if my team has...?
LSC will be implementing a travel agent program and will work with teams that have a special situation.
- Do you want to use your own travel agent? LSC has set up a travel agent program. Please contact us to obtain program details.
- Do you already have a signed hotel contract? Please send a copy of your hotel contract to LSC, along with your team's specific needs, and we will work to incorporate the rooms into the approved hotel block. Only contracts signed prior to August 19, 2009 (the date of the Stay to Play and Save announcement) will be considered.
- Is there a hotel not on our list that your team would like to use? Send the hotel name, address, and number of rooms needed. If you have rate quote, please include this information. At this point (2/1/10), we are no longer able to add hotels to the block.
- If you are a local team not in need of hotel rooms, please send an e-mail to evan@austinsportscenter.com with your club name and address.
Please contact LSC with any other questions that pertain to a special situation.
Lone Star Classic
hotels@austinsportscenter.com
1-800-603-0917
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What about the Stay and Save program that LSC provided last year?
Stay and Save is still very much alive. LSC will continue to provide:
- Merchandise Booth Reward.
- Dallas retail, restaurant and attraction coupons.
- Ball Bag checkout for teams flying in.
Check out the How to Save section to learn more about the specifics of the savings package.
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Feel free to contact LSC with any additional questions or concerns.
Lone Star Classic
hotels@austinsportscenter.com
1-800-603-0917
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