Les Jones

While I haven't stayed at the Sheraton Nashville, I am generally a big fan of Sheraton Hotels and have never had a bad experience in one (or a problem that wasn't immediatly addressed).

Back in the day, when I was litigating, I used to stay in Sheratons almost exclusivly (and had something like 150 days or so in 2000).

If you can get the rooms for under $100 you should jump at it (and maybe sign up for the Starwood Preferred Guest club - I believe they give you points for each guest you book when making group arrangements)

I've stayed at the Sheraton more times than I can count. It's a good place to stay but may be pricey (i stayed under a corporate plan). BlogNashville should have gotten rates!

I'd stay away from the Best Western Convention Center and (after you zoom in fairly close) anything north of downtown (i.e. across the river).

Whenever I have friends in town, I can usually get them really good rates on Priceline.com downtown. Be sure to pick a high star hotel and then lowball the "per night." I'd choose a 3 or 4 star and offer $40, and I bet you'll get something downtown.

Now, keep in mind, downtown is not Belmont. Downtown is about 4 miles away. So, if you stay downtown, you'll be near really fun stuff (including the Friday party and the end of Saturday festivities), but not the conference.

The catch is that Belmont is in a heavily residential area, and, to my knowledge, there's not any hotels near it. Assuming you'll only be in the Belmont area for the conference stuff and will be going to the downtown stuff, I'd go for downtown or the Vandy area.

Thanks, all. I went with the Marriott Vanderbilt/West End. Nice looking hotel, great location, and wireless Internet (which pretty much cinched the deal).