Hotels in Athens are continuing to reach capacity and raise prices during Ohio University event weekends, such as Family Weekend and Homecoming.
OU offers information about resources visitors can use in anticipation of the large crowds in Athens during university-sponsored special event weekends.
“Whether you are visiting OHIO for the first time or returning to campus for a special Family Weekend, we offer information about numerous University and Athens-area resources that can help those traveling to campus to get to know OHIO and explore Athens – both before and during their visit,” Sam Pelham, a university spokesperson, wrote in an email.
The website for first-time visitors targets potential first students or those who may enroll in the future. It provides information on what to expect during a campus visit but little information on the surrounding local areas.
Meanwhile, OU’s Family Weekend website directs visitors to several websites that provide suggestions for lodging, long-term parking, places to eat and things to do both on campus and throughout the city.
The university seemingly has a good relationship with several hotels in the Athens area, including the Ohio University Inn and Conference Center, the Fairfield Inn and Suites and its sister hotel, the Hampton Inn. The hotels can be found under the book lodging tab on OU’s Family Weekend website.
Justin Venrick is the guest services manager at the Fairfield and Suites, located at 924 E. State St., and said the hotel has a good relationship with the university.
“We do have a lot of students that stay here, waiting on apartments to be ready or if there's issues with dorms,” Venrick said. “We do have a good relationship with Ohio University, so sometimes we have student-athletes, things like that.”
Venrick said he sees the Fairfield Inn reach total capacity depending on what events are taking place in Athens, but sees the most during big weekends such as orientation and sporting events.
Shannon West, the assistant general manager at the Holiday Inn Express, located at 11 E. Park Dr., said she advises people to directly call when booking because the hotel reserves rooms 50 weeks in advance.
West said the hotel reaches capacity almost every weekend, which is roughly 80 guest rooms.
Both West and Venrick said prices also rise during special event weekends based on availability and demand.
The hotel managers themselves have little to no control over this. Pricing is determined by higher-up administrators within the company.
“We like to offer things a little bit above and beyond on our special big weekends,” Venrick said. “We do charcuterie boards, free drinks and different types of snacks, since guests are paying so much.”
A typical weekend at the Holiday Inn Express in Athens costs $131 to $149 a night, depending on the type of room and the number of guests.
Comparatively, for OU Homecoming this year, a standard room costs about $632 for the weekend, including taxes and fees.
At the Fairfield Inn, a room that accommodates one adult costs about $468 for two nights during OU’s Homecoming weekend. On a regular weekend, the same room costs nearly $100 less, at $387.
Venrick said the busy season for the Fairfield Inn is a little different this year because OU typically has its Homecoming festivities in October, but the staff is preparing as usual.
“We are definitely up and up the ante, making sure all hands are on deck,” Venrick said. “What the plan is, from what I understand, we're just taking things one day at a time. We're just seeing if we have any last minute cancellations. We're just preparing as usual, nothing out of the ordinary.”
Venrick also said the staff at the Fairfield Inn wants to ensure each guest walks away with a good experience, but also that they are patient with hotel staff.
“We're all trying to make sure everybody has a great stay and has a great time here in Athens,” Venrick said. “So just make sure you're patient. We understand things happen, but yeah, have a good time, be safe.”
