A while ago, Anime News Network posted a feature called “Five Things They Never Tell You About Attending Conventions,” which detailed some helpful tips regarding transportation, panel etiquette, and avoiding that panel with the massive line. Their first point, however, I have to disagree with.
“Don't cheap out on the hotel and try not to share a room with more than one person.”
Now, not cheaping out on the hotel, I completely agree with. The more expensive hotel is usually more comfortable, nicer, and closer to the convention (Often connected to the convention center itself.). Besides, being in a nice hotel room makes me feel like a big shot for a weekend. A few ConnectiCons ago, a good friend of mine brought a bottle of wine, but none of us had the foresight to bring a bottle opener, but we were able to just call the front desk and they sent someone up with one, which I thought was amazing.
But I digress.
The part I disagree with is the notion of not sharing the room with more than one person. A regular double bed room can accommodate four people very comfortably, and two to three more if people don’t mind floor space. The key, however, is that you have to be comfortable with one another and respect each other. You might have to sleep in a bed with someone you otherwise would not share a bed with. You might see people in various states of undress. The point is that having more than two people in the room is only as uncomfortable as the people in the room make it.
This also plays into not cheaping out on the room. A regular double bed room is nice, but a suite is bigger, nicer, and can hold as many people more comfortably if space and proximity to other people in the hotel room is an issue.
The article, however, portrays having more than two people in the hotel room as a chaotic situation in which there’s no privacy, no relaxation, and no sleep. I couldn’t disagree more. The thing about it is, when you’re sharing a hotel room with people, everyone wants some privacy, everyone wants to relax, and everyone wants to get some sleep at night, and they all understand that about everyone else in the room. As a result, while it might not be the quietest of spaces at times, while some individuals might stay up a bit later than others, and while I might have to put my pantyhose on for my maid costume in a room full of people, it doesn’t ruin my convention. When I need to relax, the hotel room is there and, while it might have one or two others in it, everyone else is at the convention. Plus, having people in the room when I get there means having people to talk to while I relax.
Rooming with more than one other person is cheaper per person and makes the hotel room part of the convention experience. Rather than just a place to relax, the hotel room becomes a place to relax and socialize is a more private, less crazy space. While I can certainly understand individuals who are significantly comfortable sharing a space with more than one person shying away from bringing more people in, I don’t see anything wrong with bringing in as many people as is reasonable, so long as they’re trustworthy, respectful, and stable around other people.