Accommodations for I day

DeploymentDiatribes

DeploymentDiatribes

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Hi! My son is a Foundation kid and we are trying to plan ahead to I Day. Can anyone recommend nearby hotels that will be specifically good for the few days we'll be there?
Thanks so much!
 
DeploymentDiatribes said:
Hi! My son is a Foundation kid and we are trying to plan ahead to I Day. Can anyone recommend nearby hotels that will be specifically good for the few days we'll be there?
Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

i found this post by Capt MJ super helpful:

Handy Links for Appointees & Parents

Our first letter home consisted entirely of the words; "I love you both." Just those words on an entire (unused) page of paper with the USNA logo at the top. It was epic. I laughed out loud, while my wife exclaimed; "WHAT?" and "THATS IT?"
www.serviceacademyforums.com

As suggested, utilizing the search feature will result in numerous posts regarding hotels, etc.

Congratulations & Good luck!
 
There are threads upon threads about hotels. Search on I Day Induction Day, hotels, etc.

Don’t worry too much about distance from USNA. There will be parking and shuttle buses at the stadium on I Day. Some hotels offer shuttles to DTA (downtown Annapolis).

Some hotels offer “USNA friends and family” rates and codes - call the hotel property directly to ask.

There are the usual business chains in and around Annapolis. Some people also choose to do Airbnb, so they have a homelike atmosphere or that might enable them to walk onto the Yard.

Booking early is never a bad thing. You’re competing against 1100+ families for lodging. Some incoming plebes come solo, but many come with parents, and some even come with entourages of grandparents, siblings, GF/BF, family friends. Add in divorced parents - Annapolis is bursting at the seams.
 
An email I received yesterday is timely to this post. We stayed at Lowe’s hotel....two years ago. And it was a hotel that had recently changed ownership (don’t recall previous name). Guess what? It’s all new again. Graduate Annapolis is the new name. We would stay again, great location! But yes, book early and something refundable!
 
Yes, the long-time Loew’s Hotel has morphed into “Graduate Annapolis.”

In 2018, it was the O’Callaghan Hotel that was sold and turned into a Hilton Garden Inn.

There are hotels at various price points.

Don’t overlook B&Bs in DTA. My favorite is Gibson’s Lodgings, historic home right outside the Commodore Barry walk gate on Prince George St., and with coveted off-street parking.
 
Our plan of attack worked out well. We were completely unfamiliar with the area. No clue what was where. We opted to stay close (walking distance - at the former Lowe’s) after reading lots of advice on here about the emotions and stresses of Iday. Parents weekend, we stayed further away, with a car (Cape St Claire.

It worked out really well. And should our candidate receive an appointment, we will do the same again: close for Iday, way for parents weekend. In fact, both are booked...refundable should we not need them.

Lots to consider to fit your particular situation. How many attending? Are you familiar with the area? Driving vs flying? Affordability? There isn’t one correct answer that fits everyone’s situation.
 
And “walking distance” can mean various things to those with mobility issues on a typically hot and steamy late June day.

The documents that the PTB (Plebe To Be) gets allows you to drive on Yard for a drop-off, but not staying.

Those with military ID can park - if they can find a place. The stadium lot shuttle works fine too.

Be sure 18 years old and older members of your party have Real ID-compliant photo ID.

www.usnabsd.com

For Visitors | Naval Academy Business Services Division

Welcome to the U.S. Naval Academy! We are thrilled to have you visit the Yard.
www.usnabsd.com www.usnabsd.com
 
justdoit19 said:
An email I received yesterday is timely to this post. We stayed at Lowe’s hotel....two years ago. And it was a hotel that had recently changed ownership (don’t recall previous name). Guess what? It’s all new again. Graduate Annapolis is the new name. We would stay again, great location! But yes, book early and something refundable!
Click to expand...

I learned about The Graduate Hotel chain from a friend of mine with a Class of 2019 HS graduate; the hotels are located in university-targeted towns across the great USA. Apparently, each hotel pays homage to the heritage of its unique town through cultural nods to the local community, so it would be neat to see The Graduate-Annapolis. She stayed in many of them as they traveled across the country searching for the perfect college for their daughter.
 
Interesting! I didn’t realize it was a chain. Thought a local thing. My email was from Academy Insider, apparently there is an “open house” type event in a couple weeks. Free lunch or something. The rooms looked neat online.

Wonder why the change of hands? As Lowe’s, when we visited, they had the BEST crab benedict for breakfast.
 
justdoit19 said:
Interesting! I didn’t realize it was a chain. Thought a local thing. My email was from Academy Insider, apparently there is an “open house” type event in a couple weeks. Free lunch or something. The rooms looked neat online.

Wonder why the change of hands? As Lowe’s, when we visited, they had the BEST crab benedict for breakfast.
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"The menus reflect the city. For instance, The Foundry in Graduate Athens offers sweet and spicy duck fat popcorn. Virginia Oysters are served at Heirloom in Charlottesville Graduate."

Sounds like they enjoy keeping the food/flavor of the community in which they choose, so hopefully they will keep the amazing breakfast item for you! ;)

www.usatoday.com

Graduate Hotels graduates into a bigger chain

Graduate Hotels will bring more boutique hotels to college towns
www.usatoday.com

Study Hotels is another hotel chain targeting college towns.

Brilliant business idea!
 
Capt MJ said:
And “walking distance” can mean various things to those with mobility issues on a typically hot and steamy late June day.

The documents that the PTB (Plebe To Be) gets allows you to drive on Yard for a drop-off, but not staying.

Those with military ID can park - if they can find a place. The stadium lot shuttle works fine too.

Be sure 18 years old and older members of your party have Real ID-compliant photo ID.

www.usnabsd.com

For Visitors | Naval Academy Business Services Division

Welcome to the U.S. Naval Academy! We are thrilled to have you visit the Yard.
www.usnabsd.com www.usnabsd.com
Click to expand...

And ID’s that aren’t expired (*eyeroll* @MyDaughter)
 
The Graduate’s marketing department tries to use local references on their website and place names, but it ends up being slightly hokey, much to the amusement of locals. The “Navy pomp and campus lore” is slightly odd. It is still one of the nicest properties in town.

I don’t want families to get too anxious about this. You will have 4 years to get the hang of things.

If your applicant has an appointment in hand, contact the USNA Parents Club for your area. Those folks are experienced in Naptown tips and tricks.

Search for the “Handy Links” thread in this forum.
 
justdoit19 said:
Wonder why the change of hands?
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These things are almost always driven by money ... Annapolis is a competitive market, with lots to choose from, and owners try to find the affiliation that works for them. That said, the relatively fast turnover from Hilton Garden to Graduate has me wondering-- I have seen a handful of Hotel franchise agreements over the years, and most have long terms to promote brand stability.

As to the Original Post, lodging in Annapolis is largely budget and location driven. The convenience of "walking distance" carries a price tag, particularly when there are big events in town.

Not particularly applicable to families at I Day., Parents Weekend, and Graduation, but does anyone local know if "Drag Houses" still exist ? Back in the day, the Brigade Social Director , maintained a list of local residents that would rent a room to visiting drags (i,e. dates). They were often very affordable , and quality of experience varied... we will never forget the elderly woman who met us at the door at the end of one evening, and commented to my girlfriend (now wife), that "nice girls don't wear those shoes." (She was wearing stylish leather clogs which were popular in the day, and we later concluded that her comment was a reflection on the fact that clogs were traditionally worn by peasants in Northern Europe). I am guessing that the need to maintain a list of "Drag Houses" has gone away with the abundance of Bed & Breakfasts, VRBO, and Internet Marketing.
 
Loew’s Hotel > Graduate Hotel Annapolis
126 West St.

O’Callahan Hotel (Irish chain) > Hilton Garden Inn
174 West St.


Drag houses have been gone for some decades now, along with the practice of busing in Goucher College and Hood College women (co-eds!) for social events (hops!). The houses are still there, but no “drag house” concept anymore.
 
Capt MJ said:
Loew’s Hotel > Graduate Hotel Annapolis
126 West St.

O’Callahan Hotel (Irish chain) > Hilton Garden Inn
174 West St.

Drag houses have been gone for some decades now, along with the practice of busing in Goucher College and Hood College women (co-eds!) for social events (hops!). The houses are still there, but no “drag house” concept anymore.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification on hotels...just reminded me I need to get reservations for Reunion this year !
I figured the Drag House went away ...it was a pretty antiquated program , even when I was there.
 
Don’t forget to book directly with a hotel... if the price drops you can call and they will rebook you at the lower rate (at least Marriott does..). Our post-Christmas trip to Zion went from $743 down to $400 for our theee night stay.. just by monitoring the price drops and calling the reservation center twice in the time between the initial booking & trip date.
 
Capt MJ said:
Be sure 18 years old and older members of your party have Real ID-compliant photo ID.
Click to expand...
Unless they hold DoD Dependent or Retiree cards which, while they are not fully Real-ID compliant, seem to get readily accepted for access.
Sadly, the are not accepted as "Real-ID" if you attempt to use them to GET a Real-ID Drivers License (3 points of ID versus the 4 given for a CAC or Pasport)
 
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