Surfergirl

We have a wedding to attend in Charlotte in June. Two properties have been held for attendees with block pricing: the Westin Uptown Charlotte and the Hampton Inn Charlotte-Uptown. Locations appear close to one another, and I prefer Hampton Inns as a rule. It also is the less expensive option with breakfast.

Never been to Charlotte, and was wondering from you Charlotte experts is the Westin that much better than the Hampton Inn considering the price differential?

Also, we plan to rent a car from the airport to Hotel . . . easy enough to navigate? About how long will the drive be, and what's the traffic like there like? I'm sure it's nothing like L.A. traffic, but I have no clue!

Thanks for all the advice you can offer. Looking forward to the trip!

Gretchen

No, the Hampton is quite new--and located right across from the stadium (not that it matters in June!!)
It's a 15 minute drive to the hotel and not hard.
Enjoy Charlotte.

willowjane

Hampton inn is very nice there. It is a pretty easy city to navigate, especially compared to LA! Have a wonderful visit.

Surfergirl

Thanks much for the info!

Brian_in_Charlotte

I'd be happy with the Hampton Inn over the Westin if I could save more than $50. Driving from airport is no problem. Should take 10-20 minutes depending on traffic.

And just to correct above, this hotel is not right across from the stadium and is probably 10+ years old.

Gretchen

My mistake, I guess. I thought the Hampton is what we walk by on the way to the stadium.

starrs

Westins usually cost more than Hampton Inns.
I like Hamptons too.

Brian_in_Charlotte

You may be thinking of the Residence Inn?

Gretchen

You got it!! Thanks.

Skiergirl

Do you have time to do any exploring? If not you may not need a car as there are many places you can walk to in Uptown. I stayed at the aloft which was nice and had huge rooms as well.

Gretchen

If they are going to a wedding, they'll need a car I'm pretty sure.

Surfergirl

Actually, that's a good question regarding time to explore, since I didn't think about it, and know nothing of Charlotte.

My friend mentioned they would have shuttles to and from the hotels to the wedding, but I don't know about the dress rehearsal dinner. I kind of like having a car, just in case.

The plan was to fly into Charlotte on Friday, and leave Sunday. Dress rehearsal dinner Friday; wedding Saturday. But looking at the flights, and how long it takes to get from LAX, especially with the 3 hour difference, it may be best to take the red eye on Thursday night so we have a little bit of day time on Friday before joining the festivities.

So let me expand on my original question, since I have a blank slate in terms of knowledge of the area. What is there to explore? Attractions? We do like to walk about an area. Like crafts. Like art museums. Like music (alt. rock), like bars. Like mostly everything, in fact.

SAnParis2

I wouldn't mess w/a a car - You can take the light rail down South Blvd & you have options there OR you could take a cab to Plaza-Midwood (probably better for music)although there will be some things happening Uptown. Grab a Creative Loafing when you get into town. The Museum Uptown is nice, but small(ish). I do the red eye back here most anytime I am on the West Coast + it is often a cheaper flight.

Gretchen

There are a number of uptown museums that are more than "nice" smallish!!
And they all have wonderful (truly wonderful) gift shops with wonderful crafts.
The Bechtler has a world class art collection. The Mint Museum of Craft + Design across the street is equally excellent. There is the Harvey Ganntt museum of African American history. There is is the Museum of the New South a bit down Tryon St.
I think the redeye would be a good idea and give you a bit of time in town. South End is fun for consignment and design stuff. You can probably get by without a car if the wedding is taking care of transport. Where are the activities? Inquiring minds want to know!!

Surfergirl

Thanks for the updates. If we don't get a car, is there a shuttle of some kind or rail from the airport?

I'll find out the "where" part on the events and let you know.

Gretchen

No, there isn't--big problem with Charlotte's coming late to the party with good public transit.
The cab is probably about $30--I'm sure it's a flat rate from the airport if you look on the airport website.
I am always one who likes to have my own car, but IF the wedding party is going to be picked up and taken most places, you may be able to work around it a bit, if you don't go outside the downtown area. AND there is really enough to keep you there and fun.

Surfergirl

As an update, I now know the wedding will take place the evening of the 20th of June at a space called Center Stage @ NoDa on Davidson.

And since I altered plans to head first to Wilmington DE to visit relatives first, we'll be coming into Charlotte the afternoon of the 18th (a Thurs), so will have free time that evening, the next day (not the evening), and at least the morning of the wedding day.

Also found out a friend will be arriving a few days before us, and will be renting a car, so between the public transport and cabs you guys recommend, we'll have them as well for transport. In fact, I learned from my friends that Atlanta is about 3 hours from Charlotte, and since they are driving to Atlanta to fly back to L.A. that Sunday, we've arranged to hitch a ride with them and leave from Atlanta as well.

So . . . any additional suggestions on spending time in Charlotte based on these changes?
So, knowing this, any com

Gretchen

You are flying into Charlotte and out of Atlanta? Just checking.
It's a long 3 hour drive, in my memory. just FYI.
I'd ask what some of the other folks are doing. You really don't have a car at your disposal, unless they are doing the same thing.
Eating over in NoDa would be fun Thursday night. There are a lot of eclectic restaurants. Crepe Cellar (lots more than crepes), Growlers next door, Cabo Fish Taco, Boudreaux's and lots of others. Cute shopping possibilities.

starrs

I agree with Gretchen. It's more like 4 to 4.5 hours to the Atlanta airport. Getting there a couple of hours before your flight means a 6 hour commitment to getting to a flight in Atlanta.

I just drove a 4.5 drive with a stop for lunch so 5:20 hours in the car. I wouldn't make the drive from Charlotte to Atlanta for a flight unless it's a BIG savings in price.

If their flight is a different time from your flight, that's more hours for someone to wait in the airport.

Surfergirl

Thanks for the input. Yes, flying into Charlotte and out of Atlanta. Yes, it's a BIG price difference, since the plan involves 3 separate flights: LAX - PHL; then PHL - CLT; then back to L.A. And I'm going Southwest, since I have a lot of points, so the whole airfare will cost about $15 per person.

I think if we leave around 10:00 a.m. on a Sunday for a 4:30 flight, we should make it.