Ironman Arizona, where to stay?

Here's a previous post:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

I called a few weeks ago and was told that both of the hotels within walking distance were already full. What is the parking situation like at the race site both in the days leading up to the race and on race morning? If we book a hotel that is further out will driving in be a hassle?

Parking on race morning is not a problem. You get to use a large parking garage that's a block away.

Parking before the race is not a real problem either. I did get a parking ticket for staying in the Tempe Mission Palm's parking lot for 4 hours when there was a 2 hour limit - it's the closest lot, and I took my chances and lost. But there is plenty of parking within easy walking distance of the race venue.

As for driving hassles, I suggest you stay with 15 miles or so of Tempe Beach Park. If people don't know where that is, then Sun Devil Stadium is a few blocks up the road and people know where that is.

Last year I stayed in a rental house way out in the sticks in what they said was Mesa but it was past the GM Proving Grounds (use Live Maps or Google Maps to find it) and it was a huge hassle with 40 minutes to and from the park, three freeways, miles and miles of desert road.

The person we rented from basically flat-out lied about things like distance from the airport - she said "20 minutes" and it was 45 minutes out. Everybody says they're 20 minutes from the airport! Don't buy it - people tell you what you want to hear. Live Maps and probably Google Maps both have "hotels nearby" features - just find Tempe Beach Park and start from there.

In 2006 I stayed at the Buttes Resort and it was easy. For next April's race, we're just about to sign the rental agreement on a house in Chandler that's 10 miles away down Rural Road. Should be about 15-20 minutes and that's acceptable to me. I was hoping to get within 5 miles, but this house looks great so I'm taking it before someone else does.

Im staying at Marriot courtyard in tempe. it's about a mile from the site and is on West Rio Salado pkwy. The ironman rate for the 1 bedroom suite is $119. thats what they quoted me when i reserved the room.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phxsl-springhill-suites-phoen...

here is map page.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/phxsl-springhill-suites-...