Woo-hoo! Tell us about your hat!

No hat yet but it is worrisome. I have a very small face and look silly in hats. Still,when in Rome...

In Lexington, the Marriott Griffin Gate resort is the nicest htoel in town. It's also right off the interstate that takes you to Louisville, which is an hour's drive. There is also an Embassy Suites right across the street from the Marriott.

If you don't want a big hat, do a "fascinator" which is a headpiece with decorations. These were all the rage at the Royal Wedding this year!

How about a fascinator?
http://www.polyvore.com/fascinator_hats/shop?query=fascinator+hats

They look nice on people with small faces. Are you looking for "special" boutique hotels or a small inn or regular hotel rooms? The Hilton is downtown and I have stayed there before and thought it was nice. The Lyndon House looks nice but I have never stayed there. http://lyndonhouse.com/
I would book soon as all the rooms in the nearby area book so quickly! Have a great time!

Thank you willowjane. I know I better make a decision soon. I'm happy to know that the Hilton is a good choice, and I'll check out Lyndon House.

Oops, and thanks to Christie. I didn't see your reply when I last checked this post. The Griffin Gate is sold out per the internet. But the fascinator seems to be the way to go!

You might check hotels in Louisville. We have more rooms available now than there were a few years ago. The best known are the Brown and the Seelbach, and the newish 21c just made the top 500 U.S. hotels list, so they are probably booked (and they are expensive). There are two Galt House hotels across Fourth Street from each other and located on the river, so the view is nice.

City buses run from designated spots to the races on Oaks and Derby Days, which means you don't have to look for a parking place. People who live near the track even rent out their yards for parking.

Just don't get this fascinator:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1381892/Royal-wedding-2011-Princess-Beatrice-Eugenie-fashion-flops-again.html

Have fun!

Lee Ann

Wow! You get to go to the derby. How fun! We want details of the hat shopping and the derby trip.

If you do stay in Louisville, we have always gotten a good deal and a great room at the Galt House....very convenient to walking downtown. Of course, I only go for opening day (the weekend before) and the rates are more reasonable. We will want details.

I may be the only man who has responded to date, but here's $.02: don't sell yourself short in a hat.

Women look good in nice hats unless they don't look good, period.

My wife has a small face (especially compared to my melon) and I like her in hats and she's been putting up with me long enough that I don't have (1) her reading over my shoulder as I type this and (2) have to kiss up on the hat issue.

And considering the fun most women seem to have with their hats at the Derby (have a couple of friends who have trekked to Louisville for the festivities), you may be missing out if you ditch the lid.

Have you been here:

http://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/ on South St?

Good advice, BigRuss. I shall take it to heart.

Our hosts live in Lexington and suggested we stay there and drive over to Louisville with them so I think I will follow that plan.

I will tell you all about it, Birdie.

Galt or Brown in Louisville for class. Something near airport for convenience. Have you gotten reservation yet? It'll be a crowd so don't wait.

Meant to add that DH went to KU and he and I stayed at hotel in that area in Lex. Googling 'near KU' should get you in the ball park. Again, hurry!

It's UK, TDudette, NOT KU..please get it right.

bite me, dukey

Thanks, TDu. We do have reservations. I need to check where they are though -that info is in work (someone down there ended up making them for me.)

Well, my brother in law, who is now deceased, raised a horse named Real Quiet on his farm in Ocala and sold it to a guy who owned a bunch of McDonalds restaurants who entered the horse in the Kentucy Derby and won and then at Pimlico and won and then at Belmont and lost. I do hope there will be pictures of The Hat.

Interesting, santa. There's a wiki thing about the horse. It mentions a farm in Florida (Little Hill). DH's parents and aunts/uncles all took many trips to the tracks in Ky and Indiana.

Indeed, Suki. A hat shot, please!

I hope you have watched the movie Secretariat in preparation.

Where are your reservations? There are only a couple of hotels downtown (Hilton, Hyatt, Gratz Park Inn). Downtown has lots of non-chain restaurants and lots of bars. By Derby, Thursday Night Live should be going.
http://www.downtownlex.com/tnl-bands

I finally remembered to check where our reservations are: Gratz Park Inn. I found my hat at Neiman Marcus, but I can't find a link to a picture. It has a small brim but a nice big flower on it so I think it is suitable for the Derby. Only a couple of weeks to go now!

You came out of the woodwork at just about the same time that the winner of the race came out of the woodwork.


Eeerie that he had last raced on March 10... just like this thread.

Union Rags all the way, NorthwestMale. But that's not your horse. To whom are you referring?

good luck suki. BTW, did you place my $2 bet yet?

Sorry suki. Btw, I was just kidding about the $2 bet.

Union Rags got lost in the crowd- I'll Have Another by more than a length.

We had a wonderful time despite Union Rags' loss. It was still a thrill to "know" a horse in the Derby! We had a great tour of Lane's End Farm, some wonderful meals in Lexington (Sabio's and Le Deauville), a tour of Buffalo Trace bourbon distillery &, of course, the Derby. It was hot, crowded, noisy and fun!

It sounds wonderful! Sorry "your" horse lost, but so great that you got to experience the Derby from the inside

Did you see Cyndi Lauper? She was supposed to be there.

Yeah, great job by Cyndi Lauper... reciting the F-word on a microphone in front of a bunch of kids.

I'm sure she did the Derby proud on that one!

Cyndi was the Grand Marshal for the Pegasus Parade.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/gIQAQcKc1T_photo.html

I think she had the biggest Derby hat.
http://wjltevansville.com/what-goes-through-their-minds-when-they-get-dressed-for-the-derby/

Glad you had a good time. I ate at Sabio's a week ago. It's only been open a month or so.

I saw Cyndi up on the big screen but I couldn't hear her so missed the F word. I didn't see any other celebrities among the 165,000 other Derby attendees. ky, we hung out on the back patio at the Grey Goose to watch the Oaks. That's a great little spot too.

Hey, better late than never...

Woo hoo!!! Congrats on winning the Belmont!!!

The Belmont went much better for your horse!