XMPP Summit - 2023-02-19

I slept well. Maybe I had enough good Belgian beer to sleep well 🤣

I have to say it was pretty consistent with my expectations of a budget hotel (which I have always seen Ibis as, despite the "Ibis Budget" brand) (and despite it not being *that* cheap, due to being in the centre of Brussels)

I've definitely stayed in hotels that folk would consider worse than that, for summit/FOSDEM. But generally the better hotels cost a lot more.

We should work out the group booking stuff for a hotel well in advance next time, possibly even get quotes from multiple hotels before we commit

When we host the summit in a conference room in the hotel again we could also consider staying outside of the center at lower rates. Maybe close to the University for FOSDEM. I assume there are nice bars and restaurants as well. And good public transport when we want to go to the center.

> MattJ: > 2023-02-19 11:13 (GMT+01:00) > We should work out the group booking stuff for a hotel well in advance next time, possibly even get quotes from multiple hotels before we commit would you mind to add it to the pad suggestions?

> Alex_: > 2023-02-19 11:17 (GMT+01:00) > When we host the summit in a conference room in the hotel again we could also consider staying outside of the center at lower rates. Maybe close to the University for FOSDEM. I assume there are nice bars and restaurants as well. And good public transport when we want to go to the center. or incl this combination to get better rates

Does anyone have any experience on whether this actually saves money?

Which "this"?

Travel out/in to the city each day was a bit annoying, and costs. I definitely spent a lot less on public transport this year.

Group bookings

Group bookings... in my experience there is usually some saving, but it's not a massive difference

I still have ended up at other hotels in the past due to price

I was happy with the looking. And I'm happy to continue making my own decisions wrt the hotel

I think I spent less money on a nicer hotel.

But nice is obviously subjective

*with the location

I remember that I got the conference room for free many years ago because many people stayed there. And discount on rooms usually can be negotiated as well, assuming they are not booked because of other events.

I think the biggest issue with the price here is that this hotel is within the city centre, indeed. Prices from long ago are not representative anymore. Hotels are much more competitive and there generally is no reason to give stuff away, I think.

(except group discounts)

but Matt said it, earlier and more quotes

Alex_:

Can we help you?