5 replies to this topic

[stargazer1]

I was contacted by the hotel hosting Nightfall in Borrego Springs, California. They overbooked the hotel, and of course, almost all of the people coming are actually showing up. I don't know how they decide who gets "bumped", but they will contact you via email, and try to move you to their property 3 miles away. We wanted to bring a scope, but didn't feel like we could do that if we were lodged somewhere else. 

[Alex McConahay]

Last I checked, there was one airstream and one RV spot left. My data is a week old. I would not doubt that those two have been taken already. 

 

If somebody cancels then their spot becomes available again, and therefore, if you keep checking, one of those may become available again.

 

(However, they have rules about whether and when you can cancel. So, be careful if you are thinking about cancelling. )

 

At any rate, there are people who come to the Palm Canyon, set up their scopes in one of the "public" areas, and leave them there while they go back and sleep in another hotel or campground. It is perfectly fine to do so. A "public" area is the "imaging" area behind the presentation room (near laundry) or the "Visual only" area, which is being moved to one of the campsites (most easterly in the middle row). You can also go back to the old Visual area, on the west end of the complex.

 

Note that whatever you do with your equipment, you are welcome to attend all the functions at the Palm Canyon........Nobody cares (or checks) where you are staying. 

 

Alex

[stargazer1]

In case it wasn't clear, this is, in no way, the responsibility of the organizers. Nightfall is an excellent conference, and we still plan to attend. 

[Alex McConahay]

Having looked into this, a bit. I believe it important to remind everybody that they need to contact the Palm Canyon itself if they are looking for reservations. There were only two spaces left (one airstream trailer and one back in RV) a week ago when I last checked.

 

Also, it should be known that you are welcome to Nightfall and all its activities, including the Imaging Workshop with Molly Wakeling, whether you are staying at the Palm Canyon or not. We have "public" places where you can set up your observing or imaging gear. And nobody checks (or cares) where you are staying.

 

For more on Nightfall, (November 1-3) see https://nightfallsta...ng November 1st

 

Alex 

[stargazer1]

Follow-up

 

It turns out that I inadvertently booked through a third party booking company. I generally avoid these for pricing reasons. They charge list price, then try to get the room for cheap, and pocket the difference. That was never going to work in this instance. That said, they did substitute a nicer room for the same price, but it wasn't what we wanted. 

 

My cancellation didn't have anything to do with the hotel, or its policies. It was all on the booking company. 

 

I was able to cancel that reservation, and made a reservation directly with the resort. We'll be glamping at the conference. That will be an interesting experience.

 

Many thanks to Alex for spotting that. 

 

TL;DR -- Don't use third party sites for conference bookings. 

[Alex McConahay]

You're welcome.......

 

I talked to the Palm Canyon this morning, and they did have one room left because of a cancellation. 

 

They may have more as time goes on. But they are not predictable. So, if you are still looking for a room, call them now and then and see if you can catch some luck. 

 

Alex