Fairmont Staff Thanks WFC2009

By Kevin on November 5th, 2009
Posted in Hotels | 1 Comment »

Elspeth Kovar, WFC2009 At-Con Hotel Liaison, informs us that the bell staff of the Fairmont wants us to let you know how very much they appreciate all of the members of WFC2009.

“‘We enjoy having you here’ is standard,” writes Elspeth, “and, in my experience, always true with SF conventions. But this was a special event for them, enough so that I was told and asked to pass it along.

“All too often folks don’t see the bell staff, or other front-line staff, as individuals. You, our membership, did. You looked them in the eye, chatted with them, said ‘thank you,’ and smiled at them when you went by. You have my thanks as well as on their behalf: it was special for them because you’re a pretty special bunch.”

So, thank you from the hotel staff to you, and also from the WFC2009 committee. It has been a long time since a convention of this type was in the San Jose Fairmont Hotel — it was the headquarters hotel for the 2002 Worldcon, ConJosé — and we’re happy to see how well everything worked as we returned after seven years’ absence.

Water Happens, Mostly Harmless

By Cheryl on November 1st, 2009
Posted in Artists, Dealers, Hotels | Comments Off on Water Happens, Mostly Harmless

We awoke this morning to the news that a pipe had burst in the hotel’s plumbing system and water from the 4th floor swimming pool was cascading down through lower levels of the hotel. The good news is that the flood has only hit the area where registration was yesterday, but they are not open today.

The affected area is on the far side of one of the walls of the Dealers’ Room. Our staff has been helping dealers move their stock just in case, but no stock has been damaged. The Art Show is on the far side of the room from the affected area and is in no danger.

As far as we know, the banquet will proceed as planned.

The sales table for next year’s World Fantasy was to have been placed where Registration was. The hotel is busy mopping up right now so they may be able to proceed as planned. We’ll post something as soon as we know where they have set up.

Getting from SJC to the Hotel

By Kevin on October 27th, 2009
Posted in Hotels, Travel | 4 Comments »

We’ve fielded a number of questions recently in the form of “How do I get from San Jose Airport [SJC] to the Fairmont?” and “Is there a hotel shuttle?”

There is no hotel-airport shuttle, and no free transportation between the airport and the Fairmont. The least-expensive way to get to the hotel is to take the free #10 bus (headsign “LIGHT RAIL”) from the airport to the Metro/Airport light rail station, then board a light rail train ($2 fare) heading downtown, getting off at Paseo de San Antonio station outside the hotel’s back entrance. There are also taxis and shared-ride shuttle services that will cost more but will not require changing buses or riding trains.

For our full story on getting to the Fairmont Hotel, see our Travel Information Page. This also includes information about getting to the hotel from the other Bay Area airports, and also by car and by train.

Internet Access

By Cheryl on October 23rd, 2009
Posted in Hotels | 4 Comments »

As with most high quality hotels, the Fairmont charges a daily rate for Internet access from your room. However, if you are a member of their President’s Club scheme then you get Internet in your room for free. And joining the President’s Club costs you — nothing. (You may have to give them a credit card number as that’s part of the express check-in system, but there is no club membership fee.) Details on how to join are on the hotel web site.

That access is for sleeping rooms only. It does not extend to the convention space. We are hoping to have free wi-fi available there too, but we don’t have any firm details yet as to how many simultaneous connections we’ll be able to afford.

And Now, The Map

By Cheryl on October 22nd, 2009
Posted in Hotels, Program | Comments Off on And Now, The Map

If you were wondering how to find all of those places listed in the program schedule, here’s a map.

Yes, this will all be in the pocket program you get at the convention.

Hotel Block Closes September 28

By admin on September 17th, 2009
Posted in Hotels | Comments Off on Hotel Block Closes September 28

The hotel room block at the Fairmont Hotel closes on September 28. Book your hotel room now to get the convention rate and to assure you have a room.

After September 28, room rates are not guaranteed, and will be subject to availability.

Hotel Room Block Filling

By admin on September 1st, 2009
Posted in Hotels | Comments Off on Hotel Room Block Filling

We are close to filling the number of rooms in our reserved block. We are working with The Fairmont to increase the number of rooms available online, however members booking rooms via our online reservations page may receive the message “No lodging matches your search criteria. Please change your search options and retry.” Rooms are still available in the hotel and may be booked by calling The Fairmont’s Reservations number at 800-346-5550. Callers outside of the United States and Canada can call 1-506-863-6310, or can check here for a list of toll free numbers by country.

Hotel Reservations Now Open

By admin on February 13th, 2009
Posted in General, Hotels | 17 Comments »

Hotel reservations for the 2009 World Fantasy Convention are now open! You can start your reservation from our Hotel Information page.

Update, March 4: A bug in the online room-booking system that initially was not allowing any reservations that included the night of October 28 has been resolved.