April 29 Update:

West Virginia’s Governor has announced a special session of the West Virginia legislature that will start May 13. If you do not have a hotel room yet, get one as soon as possible as the legislators, lobbyists, and the like will be in need of rooms.

As of 4 PM Wednesday February 17 there are no more rooms available at the Embassy Suites for Friday night.  Now, April 29, we are past the last day to get the convention rate even if a room does become available.  Check the bottom of this page for a list of nearby hotels. 

If you are staying at another hotel, please note that the Embassy Suites breakfast can be purchased for $9.95. Just stop at the front desk to buy a voucher.  Likewise, a ticket to the Manager’s Reception can be purchased for $12.95 at the front desk.

The Coalfield Express will be headquartered at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Charleston. This beautiful facility, opened about 10 years ago, offers a variety of all suite accommodations. Their web site describes it best:  “Rated as a three-diamond hotel by AAA and a recipient of the 2005 Expect the Best of West Virginia award, the Embassy Suites Charleston is home to premium accommodations and an outstanding staff. As a hotel guest, you’ll enjoy spacious, two-room suites with a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and nightly Manager’s Reception. High-speed Internet access, indoor pool, fitness center and onsite, casual dining in the Athletic Club sports grill are available daily.”

All of this is available at the special convention rate of $139 per night single or double.  Additional adults will be charged $10 per person per night. While this may seem a bit high for one of our conventions, step back and look at the total cost of your stay.  Let’s figure two people per suite. That’s about $70 per night for each but that includes breakfast.  A decent breakfast anywhere is at least $10 these days. The complimentary afternoon reception, from 5:30 to 7:30, includes a couple of beverages, something we all need after a hard day at the convention.  Elsewhere you would expect to pay $5 or more for a beer. That’s included in the room rate.  You would have to find a much less costly hotel to make a choice other than the Embassy Suites an economical selection.

Note also that the rooms are not normal hotel rooms but suites. Each contains a bedroom with one or two beds.  There is also a living room with a queen size sofa bed. This means that you and your snoring roomie can be separated by a door.  You won’t find that feature at a run of the mill hotel. Each suite also includes a small refrigerator and a microwave oven. In the morning you will awake well rested and hungry.  The photo at the right gives you an idea of what you can expect at breakfast. Pancakes, waffles, omelets, and eggs other than scrambled are prepared to order as you watch. Breakfast meats and breads, and pastries are on the buffet.  For the more health conscious, the buffet also includes a variety of fruits, yogurts, and other more healthful items. Remember, it’s included in your room rate. 

To make reservations, you can call the hotel directly at 304-347-8700. Mention convention code “NMR” to get the convention room rate. You can also make reservations on line at http://www.embassysuitescharlestonwv.com Click on the reservations button. On the reservation screen, enter NMR in the group/convention code box and the convention room rate will be applied to your reservation. The convention rate is available until April 20, 2010.

Note that in room internet access is available as an option at $9.95 per night.  Free internet service is available in the hotel’s Business Center near the front desk.  Also, overnight parking is available at $10 per night. Finally, there is a 6% sales tax and a 6% Convention and Visitor Bureau tax on the room. The good news is that a grant to The Coalfield Express from the CVB has allowed us to keep registration fees lower than they might otherwise be.

Alternate hotels:

This list shows several hotels close to the convention hotel.  They are listed as closest to farthest from the Embassy Suites.  None of these hotels have been approached to check for availability or pricing. Assume that they have no idea what the National Model Railroad Association is.