We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott-Mayo Clinic last year. It's about 6 miles/10 minutes from the Freebird. I checked their site and rooms are about $150 before any discounts for the nights of the shows...we are AAA members and I believe this saved us 15-20%. It's nothing fancy, but was very clean, safe and secure (non-smoking rooms with king beds were a plus)...and I do especially remember that when I called a cab, it was there before we could get from our room to the lobby, so that's a plus when you're running late...like we always are!
Book early, beach area rooms fill quickly for NYE. And if you've never been to the Freebird while Chris is on the soundboard...it gets loud...VERY, VERY loud. My ears were ringing for 2 days...no shit. Just a word to the wise. ($0.50 foam earplugs are a Godsend!)I know that makes me sound old, but it ain't no joke in there.
Hope this helps you some.
Good luck and keep us posted on any good hotel choices you come across in your search.
We're considering the Seawalk, which is actually get down on your hands and knees crawling distance. Then there are 3 other hotels within stumbling distance, and about 4 more that would require assistance, but you could stumble there (and may be more--I'm just going by memory, which I lost somewhere back in the late 70s/early 80s and haven't found it since.)
We've not stayed at the Seawalk before but it's literally right next door. We usually stay on the mainland for a couple nights just like estanley's talking about cause it's cheaper. Then get a room over at the beach on NYE, but they're definitely higher. I think rates seem to be better this year though.
The Seawalk is surprisingly cheap. I called them a couple weeks ago and they warned me they have a NYE party with about 300 people and it could be loud and late. I told her we were going to see Mofro next door and we would most certainly be loud and late. It worked for both us. Rate is $99 on the 30th and $129 on the 31st. It's a boutique hotel, small, but it looks decent. I think the band may have stayed there before. Don't know if they have anything left.
There's a Comfort Inn or Days Inn across the street, a Quality Suites(?) that's a block away. Then there's a Fairfield, Marriot Courtyard, and a Comfort Inn or Days Inn that are clustered together about 10 or 12 blocks away (about a 10-15 minute walk, keeping in mind that it can get to 25 degrees on NYE in Jax. Not often. But it can. And the wind off the ocean is COLD. Of course I'm a Florida Cracker so anything under 60 degrees is cold to me.)
We stayed at the Fairfield 2 years ago and it was like $130 or $140; last year it was booked up early and they were $150 plus. The Comfort or Days (sorry I can't keep 'em apart) is where we stayed last year (not the one across the street but the one 10-12 blocks away.) Parking lot view was like $120. Ocean view was like $160. (We had a lovely view of cars pulling in and out.) It's pretty big, has a big landscaped fancy pool area, bar, cafe. Went to crap a few years ago and their reviews online took a major dive. Went through a major rehab last summer, and we found it pretty nice. It's a little too far to walk (15 mins probly), at least for me. The drive is a 25 mph street and is maybe 3 or 4 minutes drive. All of 'em are on Beach Blvd, same as The Freebird.
If you opt for mainland side, like estanley's talking about, you can stay off Butler Blvd for around $80 to $100 and be within 15 minutes. You can go further out on Butler (west) and find stuff by I-95 for $60 to $80 (Red Roof, Super 8, etc.) and be about 20 to 30 minutes away.
All of the above rates are guesses and based on my last couple years there. I've not done muchresearch into it this year, but I agree with E once again that time's getting close now.
You can also go online and check out houses for rent. There's lots of old little beach houses (and brand new condos and villas for that matter) that are anywhere from 5 minutes drive to 30. They're probly a 3 day min, and most likely you'd want 3 or 4 or more people to make the price work out--could be cheaper than room(s) that way.
Hope this helps! ---------- MofroFan1
Last Edited by on Oct 31, 2008 8:51 PM
Oh yes, it is giggles. She was telling the truth. In my above post, I mentioned a Days Inn or Comfort Inn nearby and forgot about the Best Western. One reason I guess is cause it used to be a shithole. We looked at staying there 2 years ago and the ratings on Trip Advisor were horrendous. Some of the worst I've seen. People saying sleep in your car. But I remember when we were up last year noticing they had rehabbed the whole place. I just checked their recent ratings from people and they're all very good. Sounds like they did a nice job.
Looks like the non-ocean rooms are around $190 a night. The Seawalk had rooms on the 30th for $99 but that was a couple weeks ago. For anyone coming for just that night, it's a cheaper option if you need/want one (if they still have any.)
Thanks for the tips Danny! I've no doubt you'll be posting y'all's room numbers as soon as you have them.
---------- MofroFan1
Last Edited by on Nov 07, 2008 4:56 PM
Hmmmmm.....I just called the BW to confirm my rates and if you all don't mind a room that is non-ocean front, the rate for the 30th is $109 & $159 for the 31st. And if you have AAA, let the representative know at booking and an extra 10% discount will apply:)
Thanks for jumping in and correcting me on that giggles! We're already booked elsewhere so I didn't do a very thorough search. Those are damned good rates cause it is an oceanfront hotel and it's probly a 3 or 4 minute walk, maybe a 10 minute crawl. Rates'll probly go up as we get closer and they book up more (as will others.)
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