Bradley and the MVC tournament

[Da Coach]

The Missouri Valley mens basketball tournament (Arch Madness) will be March 1-4, 2007 in St. Louis. The website has not been updated to show the 2007 information, yet.--

https://www.archmadness.com

Hotels--
click on the red banner across the bottom on "Trip to St. Louis".

I have found out the Bradley has been assigned to The Renaissance Grand Hotel again this year for the 3rd year in a row. It's not a bad hotel, but I didn't like the location, near the Edward Jones Dome, and far away from the Scotttrade Center (formerly the Savvis Center). It was also far away from any of the better restaurants watering holes, and shopping places. And it was not in proximity to any of the other hotels used by other teams and fans which makes you feel rather isolated.

I wondered what other fans thought of the Renaissance Grand, and it's location.
Are you happy to hear that Bradley has been assigned there again? What Hotel has been the favorite of fans in prior years in St. Louis.
For many years, Bradley and their fans stayed at the Marriott Pavillion, and I heard from many Bradley officials that it was their favorite. It has now changed hands and is a Hilton Hotel. I don't know if any MVC teams wil be staying there, but there are several new hotels near the new ballpark, including a new Marriott and a new Westin. IMO, it's too bad we couldn't have been assigned to one of the newer hotels ina better location.

By the way, I tried to get several reservations at the Renaissance Grand for the tournament, and finally got so frustrated I gave up. I haqd been instructed by Bradley to call the hotel and ask for block rooms for fans. However, regardless whether you try the website, the 1-800 line (1-800-HOTELS1), or the hotel direct (1-314-621-9600), I kept being told they are sold out and they couldn't help me. Someone needs to get their act together. It shouldn't be this difficult. The Hotel was only half full the last 2 years we were there, and when Bradley made it to the Tournament final last year, the hundreds of extra fans who came down Saturday, for the Sunday final had no problem getting rooms on late notice at the Renaissance. So I know they aren't sold out. There are large numbers of rooms that are blocked out, but nobody seems to know how a fan is supposed to reserve them.

If it sounds like I am a little miffed, I am. If anyone reading this has a clue, let me know, because I can't afford any more time wasted. I had no trouble making reservations at another hotel and it only took a minute. So I plan to stay elsewhere, unless someone can get the thing with the Renaissance cleared up.
But I would like to know what other fans think of the hotel, location, amenities, etc.

[tornado]

Although I would love to stay in the hotel with the BU team, I simply do not want to give up the 3 or 4 advantages we gained by choosing a hotel right by the Savvis Center last March.

First, easy walking distance to the arena, to the mall, to the hotel where the BU pregame activities were, and to ample parking.

Second, some of the other hotels are just as nice but cost way less.

Third, it just wasn't very crowded at all even tho I was staying in a hotel less than 2 blocks from the Savvis Center.

Last, by virtue of staying in the hotel near the Savvis, we could park in the hotel's lot and go to the game and not pay a single penny for parking.

I think I will stay at one of the "off-brand" hotels again this season, although I haven't made my reservations yet.

[it's boogie time]

Isn't it good that the team is staying away from the action? I'm sure you've heard many of the stories of when the coaches have gotten upset about the noise in their hotel.

I've never made my reservation based on where the BU team stayed. One of the fun parts about the tournament is conversing with the other Valley fans.

[BradleyBrave]

Isn't it good that the team is staying away from the action? I'm sure you've heard many of the stories of when the coaches have gotten upset about the noise in their hotel.

I've never made my reservation based on where the BU team stayed. One of the fun parts about the tournament is conversing with the other Valley fans.

I used to think that boogie, but I have been in the team hotel the past few years, and really love the camaraderie of BU Nation. Especially last year, the sendoff to the MVC title game was special.

I anticipate some rooms will open up at the Renaissance. I'm not going to worry about it at this point. If enough people raise the issue like Coach is doing today, I anticipate KK and BU will get involved to take care of this.

[New Guy]

DC,

I stayed at the Hilton last year it was fine. The name had just changed from the Marriot. The Salukis and the Purple Aces used it as their home base. The location was fine and not a bad walk to the Savis. WMBD had Greg and Dan brodcasting. We went pre game to Jauques in the Sheriton accross form the FKA Savis and had a great time along with the BU band. Although a few months back I we went back to Jauques before a Cardinal game and the place had changed to Federko's. The menu went much more upscale and higher $$$.

I agree the Bradley hotel is too far away for the fans but I wonder if it is good for the team to be away?

[it's boogie time]

but I have been in the team hotel the past few years, and really love the camaraderie of BU Nation. Especially last year, the sendoff to the MVC title game was special.

I was there too. You don't have to stay at the BU hotel to be part of that.

[squeaky]

Although I would love to stay in the hotel with the BU team, I simply do not want to give up the 3 or 4 advantages we gained by choosing a hotel right by the Savvis Center last March.

First, easy walking distance to the arena, to the mall, to the hotel where the BU pregame activities were, and to ample parking.

Second, some of the other hotels are just as nice but cost way less.

Third, it just wasn't very crowded at all even tho I was staying in a hotel less than 2 blocks from the Savvis Center.

Last, by virtue of staying in the hotel near the Savvis, we could park in the hotel's lot and go to the game and not pay a single penny for parking.

I think I will stay at one of the "off-brand" hotels again this season, although I haven't made my reservations yet.

You must have stayed at the Drury. It's the only one that's close to the Savvis that isn't an official MVC hotel. And I have stayed there in the past, too. It does have it's advantages. But then you probably missed the pregame activities at the Ranaissance last year- pep rallies, band playing, cheerleaders, and meeting other Bradley fans. That was enjoyable.

As far as the Renaissance goes, it is a very old building that has been renovated. They have done a nice job, but older hotels always have rooms are too small, and the location is terrible. I usually make my reservations just a week or 2 before the tournament. There are always a lot of rooms that "open up" then when they realize they won't sell all the blocked out rooms. But I may also consider a different hotel because of the less-than-desireable location. Last March was a little different that most years, there was some kind of Amway convention or something like that. There were some hotels that were completely sold out because of that. I doubt that will be a problem again this year.

[BradleyBrave]

but I have been in the team hotel the past few years, and really love the camaraderie of BU Nation. Especially last year, the sendoff to the MVC title game was special.

I was there too. You don't have to stay at the BU hotel to be part of that.

True. I just like seeing the players, coahces, and administrators in the hotel and being able to talk to them. I guess you don't have to be in the team hotel for any of it, but it makes it a heck of a lot easier. To each his own. It's hard not to have a great time at the MVC Tournament, no matter where you stay.

[Grassman]

THis happened last year. Therefore iIbooked my room at The Renaissance Grand early and got the Mo. Valley price of $109.00 a night.
It is only a 25 minute walk to the Scottstrade arena. a great way to get exercise, after sitting all day watching B-Ball.
I too, like staying where the team is, but the Marriott was awesome. The bartender in Champions remembered us every year.
The bar at the Renaissance is like a traveling business mans bar, not a sportsbar.

What has probably happened now, is what happened last year. All those rooms, in St.Louis, are blocked out by The Valley althougth the rooms are there.
Last year I had to go throug the Chiefs club office and the Secretary hooked me up with a room in January.
I might suggest you call the Chiefs Club and they can give you the information.

[Biff]

I was one of those who came down Saturday afternoon to watch Bradley play Wichita, after Bradley had won their first game Friday against Creighton. Many more people arrived that Saturday night when Bradley was in the final. I was surprised that the hotel had plenty of rooms to accomodate everyone but they did. The Bradley people did a tremendous job putting together busloads of people for the Saturday and Sunday games. I agree that the Sunday sendoff was fantastic. Not many schools support their guys like Bradley fans do.

[BU Bill]

DC, I agree with much of your thoughts. I didn't like much about the Renaissance Grand, except for the one fact that it was the Bradley team hotel.

I suggest we select and designate a Bradleyfans hotel. That way all the rabid Bradley fans can stay in the same place.

[BobbyG]

It would be nice to meet other posters. We should try to designate a site at games or the tournament to get together.

I hope the MVC moves Bradley to a different hotel next year. I really don't like staying in the same place every year. And the Renassance was lousy.