Conference Hotel
This is the hotel we put on the booking form for people who want 'least hassle' when booking.
For PyCon UK, we've used the Etap, which is cheap and cheerful and just that little bit too far from the Conference. Also it doesn't have a bar 
So for EuroPython we thought we have some thing a little better. If people want something cheaper, they can book with the Etap direct, or if they want something better, they can book any of the hotels we're listing on the site themselves.
We've considered:
- Premier Inn Brindley Place, a little too far
- Holiday Inn (where we're having the dinner) - too expensive
- Copthorne (nearest hotel) - too expensive
TraveLodge Broad Street - no bar or restaurant
- Premier Inn Bridge Street - the front runner
Note that because we're in the City Centre, then all the hotels charge city centre prices.
Premier Inn Bridge Street
Premier Inns are a chain, a step up from the lodge-style hotels, in between lodges and the 'better' hotels. I have stayed at one or two in the past year and they've offered good value, with helpful staff.
- about 7 minutes walk from Conference
- Comfortable rooms, mostly double or twins, some singles
- Some doubles have zipped-together singles, they will co-operate in making them twins for people who wish to share.
- Some rooms at canalside
- Basic restaurant
- Small bar in restaurant with usual selection of hotel beers plus Becks Vier on draught, Old Speckled Hen bottled, will get in any beer we want (Monty Python?).
- We could use the restaurant during the day, about 10-5, for sprints for a nominal cost
Wifi is SwissComm, which from experience works OK, but is expensive (about £10 day)
- I'm waiting for a conference price, likely to be £60-£70. (Normal price from March will be £69 per room, less at weekends.)
- Normal price includes full breakfast, so I'm trying to get a price without breakfast, people can then pay extra if they want it.
- Cheaper at weekends as their business is mostly weekday.
JP. 13th Feb 2009.