Top Hotels of the 2012 DNC
Where is everyone staying in Charlotte for the 2012 DNC?
Sept. 4, 2012 -- intro: When it comes to hotels, every traveler knows they're not all the same. And while you might think all states' delegates are treated equally when it comes time to attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., you may be surprised that some states' digs are far better than others. We teamed up with hotel review site TripAdvisor to get the skinny – from real people – on hotels in Charlotte.
Click through the next few pages to see which states' delegates got which hotels for the 2012 DNC and how they rated.
quicklist: 1category: title: Arkansas: Hampton Inn & Suites Charlotte Airporturl: text: Ranked No. 10 of the 169 hotels in Charlotte, the delegates from Arkansas lucked out and are staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites Charlotte Airport. "An excellent stay from start to finish," wrote one visitor, a sentiment that was echoed in other reviews. Another read: "I was absolutely astonished at how nice the room and bathroom were."media: 17149515
quicklist:2category: title: California: Hampton Inn Charlotte Uptownurl: text: The Hampton Inn Charlotte Uptown ranks No. 12 of 169 hotels in Charlotte and scores an impressive 4.5 out of a possible 5 on overall traveler reviews. And why not? "The beds are awesome." And, luckily for California's delegates, it's "within a 5-minute walk to the convention center." Plus, "the breakfast was great and they rotated the hot offerings daily so there was variety." But there are detractors. One reviewer wrote :"No safe or fridge and no closet. So not great for long stays."media: 17149549
quicklist:3category: title: Colorado: Residence Inn Charlotte Uptown url: text: Ranked No. six of 169 hotels in Charlotte, the Residence Inn Charlotte Uptown gets rave reviews. "The rooms were spotless, the beds were comfortable, housekeeping was top notch," said one. "Nice cozy rooms with well equipped kitchen," said another. But for a third traveler, the best feature of the hotel had nothing to do with the room itself. "The best part was the breakfast! No 'powdered' eggs on their buffet." media: 17149634
quicklist: 4category: title: Georgia: Charlotte Marriot Executive Park url: text: The Georgia delegates are staying at Charlotte Marriot Executive Park, a hotel that ranks 16 of 169. While overall reviews are positive, one reviewer did say the "room was a bit worn compared to the freshness of the lobby." One the other hand, it may just have the "best hotel bed ever." And it's not just the beds travelers like: "Every single person we dealt with went above and beyond."
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quicklist: 5category: title: Illinois: Holiday Inn Charlotte - Center Cityurl: text:The Illinois delegates are staying at a few different hotels, but the ones at the Holiday Inn Charlotte - Center City got the best of the group. It ranks 22 of 169 in Charlotte. "The rooftop pool is very cool," noted a guest. "Clean and nicely furnished with modern fixtures," said another. But unfortunately, "check-in was a zoo."
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quicklist: 6category: title: Indiana: Hilton Charlotte University Placeurl: text: The Indiana delegates are split, but the ones who scored this hotel – the Hilton Charlotte University Place – got the better deal. Ranked No. 9 of 169 , one traveler wrote "the room was nice and quiet even though the place was nearly packed." And good news for those delegates working late nights and early mornings, "room service was awesome!"
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quicklist: 7category: title: Maine: Residence Inn Tyvolaurl: text: "SPECTACULAR STAFF! Y'ALL ROCK!" wrote one enthusiastic guest of the Residence Inn Tyvola. Hopefully the delegates from Maine will feel the same way. The hotel ranks 19 or 169 where "the rooms are very spacious, clean, [and] well kept."media: 17149740
quicklist: 8category: title: Nevada: Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte Uptownurl: text: "Very clean and reasonably priced but nothing fancy," wrote one traveler of the Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte Uptown. The hotel ranks No. 23 of 169 in Charlotte. It's "only 2 blocks from the Convention Center," and the "security here is top notch."
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quicklist: 9category: title: New Hampshire and New Jersey: Renaissance Charlotte Suitesurl: text: The Renaissance Charlotte Suites (14 of 169) is "a pure businessman's hotel, make no bones about it," which probably suits the New Hampshire and New Jersey delegates just fine. One guest made note that the "only complaint was the lack of power outlets." Good news after a long day of schmoozing, though: "Really comfortable mattresses!"
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quicklist: 10category: title: New York: Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotelurl: text: "The decor is modern and vibrant and the lobby is inviting," said one traveler of the hotel playing home to the New York Delegates this week. The Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel ranks No. 17 of 169 but for one traveler this is a "4-Star hotel [with] 1-star internet." But in general "Great room, comfy bed, clean!"
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quicklist: 11category: title: Ohio: Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Northurl: text: Some of this swing state's delegates are staying at the Drury Inn, No. 13 of 169 hotels in Charlotte. "While the room itself wasn't modern and sleek, it was very clean," said one traveler. Another pointed out a few perks: "Free sodas and popcorn until 10pm, free snacks and hot food at 5:30pm and free breakfast starting at 7am." A third wrote the "staff is great and ready to jump at the slightest request."
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quicklist: 12category: title: Pennsylvania: Hampton Inn Charlotte - South Parkurl: text:Some of the delegates of the Keystone State are the luckiest of all – their hotel ranks highest of all DNC hotels on TripAdvisor, coming in at No. 3 of 169. The Hampton Inn Charlotte - South Park gets great traveler reviews: "Quite upscale for a Hampton, including the TV in the bathroom mirror," wrote one. "The bathrooms are sparkling," noted another. "Beautiful property in a great location!" exclaimed a third.
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