We are so excited to confirm our hotel contract has been signed! This is not the "formal" Konvention announcement, but Colleen and I want to give everyone some pertinent information so you can go ahead and book your flight and hotel room if you so desire.
Join us for an inviting spa weekend getaway! The 2009 Liddle Kiddle "Relax a Liddle" Konvention will be held on
Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17 in "America's First Resort"...beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas!
About the hotel…
The Arlington Hotel & Spa is where we'll be staying and I hope everyone is going to enjoy it as much as I always do (below picture is an aerial view..hotel on the left hand side)! Please keep in mind, this historic hotel has been around for 134 years. I want you to know what to expect. Do not expect NEW! It is a magestic, clean hotel, but the rooms do have a slightly "musty" smell complete with historic crown molding and dated bathroom & light fixtures. If you are prepared in advance for this type of accommodations...there is less chance you will be disappointed.
The Arlington has hosted hundreds of colorful balls and social events since 1875. Dignitaries, politicians, actors, and prominent citizens have graced her
doors...bathed in her Bath House...danced to her music and enjoyed the splendor and charm of her stately air. Today, guests from across the nation and around
the world bask in the colorful heritage of this grand Southern hotel!
Click here to read more about it...
http://www.arlingtonhotel.com/
Group room rates per night are as follows...
Single/One Adult $89.00
Double/Two Adults $99.00
Please note: All group rate rooms have FULL SIZE beds only. The rooms themselves are not incredibly spacious. They were originally designed to accommodate two people comfortably.
However, if you still wish to split the cost of a double room with more than one person that's perfectly fine. Please be advised the hotel will tack on an additional $30 per night per person on top of the double/ two adults $99 room rate. For example, if three people share a double room, it would cost each person $43 per night. If four people shared…it would cost each person only $39.75 a night! This is not bad if you don't mind sacrificing some of your own coveted personal space.
Rates will be honored one day prior and one day after the event (Thursday & Sunday). Room rates quoted are net, non-commissionable and are subject to tax. The current room tax is 13%.
The hotel's toll-free phone number is 800.643.1502. Their in-state phone number is 501.623.7771. You may email them at
WHEN BOOKING YOUR ROOM, PLEASE USE "LIDDLE KIDDLE KONVENTION" AS YOUR BOOKING CODE.
We will get our own block of rooms, but room/floor assignments have not been made as of yet. If you would like a smoking room, be advised they are located on the 2nd & 7th floor...same group rates will apply.
IMPORTANT! The guest rooms will be held until the reservation cut-off date of September 16, 2009. Reservations must be received on or before this date. Rooms originally contracted, but not accounted for by September 16, 2009 will be released and sold. Requests for accommodations after this date OR beyond the original room block will be confirmed on space availability. Individuals will need to call and make their own reservations.
You will need a credit card on file to guarantee your room.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
If cancellation is received by individuals less than 48 hours from the arrival date, The Arlington Hotel reserves the right to charge one night room rates plus tax for each room cancelled.
About the airport…
You will be flying into the Little Rock National Airport, officially designated Adams Field. Undoubtedly, this airport is considerably smaller than most of you are used to, but I'm confident you'll appreciate the friendly service you'll receive while you are passing through.
Click here to read more about it..
About the shuttle…
The biggest drawback to hosting the Konvention in Hot Springs is the fact that it's a 50 minute drive from the airport. That being said, my heart is set on this location so we'll just have to make the best of it. Hopefully, the travel time will pass quickly as you chatter away with other Kiddlers you haven't seen in a year or more!
I have checked several different shuttle options and so far, the most economic way to get you to and from the hotel is to rent a shuttle van for the duration of the Konvention. My husband (Michael) has graciously agreed to take on the huge task of being our driver! He loves to cruise and is fully aware of what he is committing to. Side note: I also have several back up drivers if trouble should arise.
The cost per person for shuttle service (i.e. van rental & gasoline expense) has yet to be determined as several factors will come into play before we can calculate the final cost. However, I will say I do not expect the cost to exceed $25 roundtrip. I am hoping to get that price down even lower, but it's worth noting the airport shuttle service as well as Hot Spring's shuttle services charge roughly $50 one way…so hopefully, this information, coupled with the low cost room rates, will not make the added cost of getting there too much of an issue.
We have two options as far as a van rental is concerned. We can rent a fifteen passenger shuttle van or a seven passenger mini van. Obviously, the mini van is the cheaper of the two, but I can't make an educated decision until I receive everyone's itineraries.
Michael will make 2-3 trips (if necessary) per day on Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday. If more shuttle runs are required on days not mentioned...don't worry as we will accommodate you! Just realize that you may have to be patient at the airport for a bit between your arrival and departure flights. Please accept my sincere apology in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Again, I would require everyone's itineraries in order to set up a time efficient pick up/drop off schedule, but I will post a sample shuttle run…just to give you an idea how long you may have to sit tight upon your arrival/departure (or both).
Little Rock to Hot Springs
3:00 pm
6:30 pm
Hot Springs to Little Rock
12:30 pm
4:30 pm
We'll do our best to not keep you waiting too long, but on the bright side...there are a few restaurants, gift shops, and of course a hotel bar (and hopefully a few other Kiddlers!) to keep you company until the next shuttle arrives/your flight home departs.
Of course...renting a car at the airport is also an option if you prefer to have your own freedom. Splitting the car rental cost with someone else would be economical…not to mention loads of fun and would only entail the coordination of your arrival and departure flights. A great site to check for rental car reservations is
www.carrentals.com. Self-parking is complimentary at the Arlington or Valet service is available for $12
per day.
Still have questions? Just ask! If we don't know the answer…we'll find someone who does.
Your Humble Hostesses,
~Jodes & Colleen 
PS: We highly suggest staying through Sunday if it all possible. There are spa packages available to fill your Sunday afternoon as well as tentative plans to enjoy a nearby riverboat dinner cruise that evening! Spa services are also available on weekdays if you would like to arrive early. We hope to see you there!
