Marlene and Leon Levin - 2005 Reunion Coordinators
To date, Marlene and I have looked into several hotels, and The Orleans, which is located one mile west of the strip, looks like our best bet to date. The info in this progress report is about The Orleans Hotel. A final decision has not been made as yet but we thought a progress report might be of interest to you. Keep in mind that the information being provided is preliminary and will probably change as more information is obtained.
Vegas is different than any other city. There is never a slow time. Conventions, and reunions are booked year round. The Orleans has a convention at the time of our reunion, but can accommodate us if we act quickly. Our meeting with the sales manager, Georgette Fields, went very well. We were impressed with what they had to offer and they are very well organized. The sales department has put together a very informative package, with pictures and brochures about the hotel, which we have.
We have stayed at this hotel numerous times when we lived in California and stayed here before our house was ready in Henderson. We think it is one of the best hotels. We love it. It is not overwhelming like the big strip hotels, and you still get that personal attention. The atmosphere is a happy Mardi Gras theme. The rooms are mini suites, very spacious and comfortable. We feel at this point this is the place for us.
We do have an immediate problem, whether booking with the Orleans or another hotel, they all require deposits to hold block of rooms. The Orleans requires a $500.00 deposit immediately upon signing the contract. Marlene called today and explained that there are no monies available for us to work with and we would have to personally put up the deposit. The Orleans reduced the deposit to $250.00. In order for us personally to get this deposit back, we have to cancel the remaining block of rooms by September 1st. As far as we can estimate at this time, we see expenditures for Las Vegas less than the San Diego Reunion. If we decide on the Orleans, we need to sign this contract in the next couple of weeks. Below is some basic info for the Orleans.
center>The hotel is holding a block of 60 rooms single or double occupancy @$59.00 per night. Our shipmates can book immediately by calling 800-675-3267. They must identify themselves as attendees of the LST 1159 Reunion to get this block rate.
The Orleans has a convention already booked during the time of our reunion. If this hotel is our choice, it is imperative that we sign the contract ASAP.
BLOCK OF ROOMS
1. Need deposit of $250.00 to reserve block of 50 rooms
·Rate: $59.00/nite – single or double.
2. Block will be held until 9-1 or deposit will be forfeited. Georgette suggested that cutoff date to the shipmates be 8-25.
HOSPITALITY ROOM
1. Only can give us a suite. Cost: $250.00/nite.
2. 950 sq ft room - Refrigerator/bar
·We can bring in sodas, waters etc.
3. If 100 rooms are booked, rate reduced to $200.00
4. Leon & Marlene will stay in this room.
BANQUET/MEETING ROOM
If Banquet Room and Meeting Room are scheduled same day - $600 Banquet fee waived. We must have 50 people minimum for the banquet or they will charge for this room.
There will be a $300 charge for the Meeting Room if under 100 people. This meeting room will be for 2 hrs. This figure can be negotiated.
Dinner – Banquet Room
Buffet set up in banquet room, $33.00 pp + 7.5% tax & 18% grauity
Sit-down dinner, $37.00 pp + 7.5% tax & 18% gratuity
D-Jay – fee separate. Orleans will recommend one.
SAMPLE OF EXPENDITURES TO ALL ATTENDEES TO BE DIVIDED
If 50 people attend, and we divide expenditures, each person would have to pay approximately an extra $40.00. That amount is above room rate charges, banquets, and tours etc.
Marlene & I went to the Orleans to sign the contract on 11-18. We have been very impressed with the service we have received from Georgette Fields, Sales Manager and her staff.
We were shown the guest rooms, which are approximately 450 sq. feet. The room is gorgeous. The Hospitality Room overwhelmed us. It is 950 sq. feet and it is set up brilliantly, with a huge L shape couch, huge dining room table with chairs, large TV and a magnificent wet bar. There were meetings going on in the Banquet Room, which we will be using, but saw a portion of it. It will be very spacious and comfortable.
The hotel is holding a block of 60 rooms single or double occupancy @$59.00 per night. Our shipmates can book immediately by calling 800-675-3267. They must identify themselves as attendees of the LST 1159 Reunion to get this block rate. At the time the reservation is made, each shipmate will be asked to provide a major credit card or send a deposit for their first night’s room and tax. Cancellations on individual room reservations will be accepted up to 48 hours prior to the check in time of 4pm on the scheduled date of arrival with no penalty fee.
The cutoff date for the room blocks to be held is 8/25. We need to cancel remainder of the rooms by this date in order to get our deposit returned. The deposit will be applied towards our other expenses.
We have also locked in our Shipmate Meeting time, Banquet Dinner and a Tour of Hoover Dam and Ethel M Chocolates.
SHIPMATE MEETING/BANQUET DINNER DATE START TIME END TIME 10/4/05 10:00AM 12:00 PM Function - Meeting Room - Salon B & E 10/4/05 6:30PM 10:30PM Function - Banquet Room - Salon B, C, D, E
The Sales Department has waived the $600.00 rental fee for our Dinner in the Banquet Room if we guarantee a minimum of 80 people for dinner and also this rental fee is waived because we are having our meeting the same day as the banquet. If we are under that figure of less than 80 people, there will be a $500.00 rental fee for the meeting room. Marlene will negotiate figure if we have less than 80 people.
Upon recommendations by Georgette in the Sales Department, we all feel the buffet would be our best choice. The price for 2004 is $33.00 pp plus taxes for minimum of 50 people. If less than 50 people, there will be a surcharge. The 2005 prices are not available yet. We will be meeting with the Catering Department beginning of 2005 to finalize. There will also be a charge for the dance floor and the D-Jay.
TOUR OF HOOVER DAM & ETHEL M CHOCOLATE FACTORY Minimum of 35 for tour. Bus will hold up to 52 people. If over 52 people, we will have an additional bus.
Cost: $39.00 per person
Pickup @Orleans 8:30am – Drop off 12:30pm
The tour will consist of 1-½ hours for Hoover Dam. Food and drinks can be purchased at Hoover Dam for your convenience. After the tour of the dam, the bus will take us for a chocolate dessert at Ethel M Chocolate Factory. We will have a tour and see how these wonderful chocolates are made. Ethel M Chocolates are located in your better malls, which are found in the Western United States. It is a very fine, gourmet, and rich chocolate. I understand that the grounds that the factory is located on are beautiful with botanical gardens.
Expenditures we know to date:
$1,000.00 - Hospitality Suite
$ 500.00 - Meeting room
$ 500.00 - D-Jay
$ 5.00 - Sodas/water
$2,005.00
This morning Marlene checked into the shuttle from McCarran Airport to The Orleans Hotel and here is her info:
From McCarran Airport
You depart out Door 9 or Door 10 at the Baggage Claim Level to catch the Grayline Shuttle to The Orleans Hotel. Go first to the ticket booth and purchase your ticket. $5.00 for one way or $9.50 round trip. You do not need an advance reservation.
From Orleans Hotel to McCarran
Call Grayline Shuttle @ 702-739-5700 one day ahead of your departure to arrange for pickup.
Just a few lines about Saturday nite in Vegas. Weekends (Fri & Sat) in Vegas are the busiest and the most expensive. Marlene talked to the sales manager today and they will hold a block of ten (10) rooms for Saturday, October 1. Normally, checkin for the weekend is Friday. We are fortunate that The Orleans will let us check in on a Saturday. If we see more rooms are needed for Saturday, Marlene will call the sales manager.
The special Saturday rate for us is $119.00 for single or double occupancy plus taxes. Shipmates if interested in Saturday checkin, will still call 800-675-3267 and identify themselves as attendees of the LST 1159 Reunion. October 2 - October 5th will still be $59.00 per nite, single or double occupancy. Marlene & I will still be checking in on Sunday morning, October 2.
All of you have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Leon & Marlene
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