Hampton Roads Club Mini

Check the vendor thread, I think I posted the details in there.  Price was around $130 I think fully sorted... phone number is in this thread.

Holy Crap!  I got off light in my 5 years of ownership...seriously.  The only realy Gaffe was being told I had to replace my brake pads and rotors.  I decided to upgrade to TSW parts instead of letting the stealership get the money for the job... got all set up to do the job, and found out the stock brakes were just fine.  Sigh... I swapped em out anyway... autocross had it's priorities! lol

Clearly anything named Ben is cute and adorable! 
Welcome aboard!

Ben

I'll open up with $50 Sean... grab me when Deb's around...she holds the checkbook.   

Put us down for some sort of hot dish... we'll figure out what closer to the date I guess when we go shopping.

Out of the many tires I ran, I enjoyed the Nitto Neo-Gen tires.  They're specifically engineered for vehicles with lots of negative camber and/or lowered vehicles.  They wore really well, yet still gripped hard and gave way predictably when I exceeded grip... plus they look sweet!

I call the Marshmallow Salad!   



J/K 

How many groups are coming?  Because I've found in large event feeding, there is always WAY too much food left over...  I often wonder what is the appropriate amount to prepare for any given dish, you know?    Thoughts?

Definitely a nice new location full of fresh restaurants.  The yogurt hit the spot, no doubt.

Ok ok... too much $$.  No worries... other options are out there folks.     My thinking with the Homestead was to make this trip a little different and just slightly more special.  I thought Sunday it would be nice to have a nice breakfast, and maybe shoot a few rounds of skeet or go horseback riding or something before clipping home on the freeway. 
Plenty o time to secure a place... standby.

Hi... there is already a thread here on this topic:  http://www.hrmini.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,32/topic,2596.0/topicseen,1/

You will find a group is already heading up nice and early.  Good luck!

For everyone's consideration:

www.thehomestead.com



Dear Mr. Smith:

Thank you for your interest in The Homestead for the trip you are you are coordinating for November – we would be delighted to welcome your group. Thanks also for taking the time to speak with me last week and outlining those items important to creating a most memorable visit. As promised, please find following details about our legendary resort as well as proposal pricing for your event.

Accommodations
Our 483 luxurious guest rooms and suites are beautifully appointed in rich fabrics and furnishings, with framed prints reflecting the resort’s historic legacy. Each room includes cable flat screen television, movies and video games, a refreshment center, wireless in-room Internet access, as well as thoughtful luxuries such as wine glasses, plush robes and plump feather pillows.

The Homeastead offers a number of different guest suites to accommodate any guest requirement. Among the most distinctive accommodations are the five newly renovated Presidents Suites, which pay homage to the resort’s legacy of presidential visits. Located in the East Wing, each of the spacious suites features two comfortable bedrooms and two grandly appointed bathrooms, a luxurious parlor, a foyer, and a cozy sitting porch with unparalleled views.

Per our discussion, I also wanted to let you know that The Homestead is unfortunately unable to accommodate your guests with pets.
                                                       
Meeting Dates and Rates

November 7-9, 2008
Approximately 20-40 attendees per night
$189, based on single or double occupancy

In addition, I am pleased to offer:
One (1) complimentary room per every fifty (50) actualized rooms on a cumulative basis
One (1) suite upgrade per night at the contracted single/double room rate which can be used as a guest room or hospitality suite





Resort Service Charge & Tax:     The above prices are subject to a 15% daily resort service charge and applicable state and local taxes (currently 7%) in effect at the time of check in. 

The resort fee covers housekeeping gratuities, use of fitness center and indoor pool, afternoon tea, nightly movies, newspaper delivery, wired/wireless internet connection and on-property transportation.  The resort fee is “per room” and covers all guests in the room.

Food & Beverage Package Options
Based on our conversation I would strongly suggest that you consider the daily Bed & Breakfast plan to your room as this will likely be most economical for your guests. The Homestead offers the following meal plans that may be added to your group rate.  In addition, our Chef will work with you on personalized menus that will accommodate your budgetary and dietary requirements.

Breakfast daily may be added for an additional $20.00 per person, per night.  The Breakfast can Plan is honored in the Main Dining Room and room service.

The Modified American Plan (MAP) of breakfast and dinner daily may be added for an additional $90.00 per person, per night.  The Modified American Plan is honored in all restaurants and room service although an additional per person surcharge will apply to the 1766 Grille. Private banquet functions are included in the Modified American Plan while upgraded menu options are available if desired for an additional charge based on items selected.

The Full American Plan (FAP) of breakfast, lunch and dinner daily may be added for an additional $114.00 per person, per night.  The Full American Plan is honored in all restaurants and room service although an additional per person surcharge will apply to the 1766 Grille. Private banquet functions are included in the Full American Plan while upgraded menu options are available if desired for an additional charge based on items selected. 

Suite Upgrades:

Upgrades to suites are available (based on availability) based on the following rates: 
         
Junior Suite - $309
One-Bedroom Suite - $409
Two-Bedroom Suite - $439
Presidents Suite - $584

Meeting Agenda
The Homestead’s rich legacy is reflected in its 72,000 square feet of sophisticated meeting facilities. 28 well-equipped meeting rooms range in ambience from historic to modern and are complemented by more than 24,000 square feet of outdoor function space overlooking the landscaped grounds and surrounding mountains.

Among the highlights of the expansive Conference Center are an elaborate, 14,000-square-foot Ballroom and the two-level Commonwealth Room with its hand-painted murals. Less traditional venues serve as unique settings for truly memorable events, and include the spectacular Tower Hospitality Suite, the Equestrian Show Ring, Mountain Lodge, Cascades Golf Club and the Outdoor Pavilion at the Shooting Club.

All standard meeting and function space is complimentary for your group.

Dining
The Homestead’s restaurants offer a wealth of fine dining choices, all under the direction of internationally acclaimed Executive Chef Rodger Martin. They range from the formal atmosphere of The Dining Room where a dress code of jacket and tie are required and the quiet elegance of the 1766 Grille where a sport coat is required.  For a more casual but equally excellent dining experience, guests may dine at Sam Snead’s Tavern. The Dining Room is also renowned for its sumptuous breakfast buffets and the Great Hall plays host for afternoon tea, a Homestead tradition.

The Presidents Lounge offers a clubby atmosphere for evening cocktails and cognacs, surrounded by the portraits of The Homestead’s presidential visitors, while downstairs, the Players Pub broadcasts sporting events on its large-screen television, while guests enjoy billiards, darts and dancing to top 40 music. Seasonal dining choices include Rubino’s at the Cascades, The Casino, The Coffee Nook and Mountain Lodge.

Spa
The luxurious, European-style Homestead Spa is among the nation’s finest and most historic spas, and renowned for its naturally heated healing springs. It offers a tempting menu of pampering and rejuvenating treatments for women and men in a storied setting that includes a private Spa Suite, Spa Salon and KidSpa especially for children under 16.

Golf
Three championship golf courses that include the Cascades Course – the finest mountain course in the country, designed by William Flynn; the Old Course, a Donald Ross design boasting the nation’s oldest tee in continuous use; and the Robert Trent Jones-designed Lower Cascades. Golfers may improve their game at the highly acclaimed Golf Advantage School.

Recreation
The Homestead’s Allegheny Mountains setting is rich in recreational appeals, with activities for all seasons and catering to all interests and ages.

 
•   Fitness center equipped with 12 Cybex circuit-training machines, a full complement of cardiovascular machines and free weights, and an aerobics room
•   Downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing and instruction
•   Olympic-sized outdoor ice-skating rink
•   Four Har Tru and two all-weather tennis courts, with instruction by Peter Burwash International
•   Five-stand skeet, trap and sporting clays at The Homestead’s own Shooting Club
•   Horseback riding through the resort’s Equestrian Center
•   Orvis-endorsed fly- fishing
•   Mountain biking/hiking
•   Cross-country skiing
•   Snowmobiling
•   Snowshoeing
•   Falconry
•   Carriage rides
•   Croquet
•   Eight-lane bowling alley
•   270-seat historic theater with nightly movies
•   Team building ropes course
 






Area Attractions
Steeped in colonial history, the region surrounding The Homestead is rich in attractions, from presidential homes to institutes of higher learning. It is also a region of great natural beauty, with plenty to offer the outdoor enthusiast. Among the highlights:

•   Lexington (site of VMI and Washington & Lee University)
•   University of Virginia
•   Monticello (home of Thomas Jefferson)
•   Montpelier (home of James Madison)
•   Cass Railroad
•   Staunton (birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, home of the American Shakespeare Center)
•   George Washington National Forest

Location & Transportation
Surrounded by the beautiful Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Virginia, The Homestead is located in historic Hot Springs, 70 miles north of Roanoke and 170 miles west of Richmond. It is within driving distance of many metropolitan centers in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Bath County Airport is 20 minutes away and Roanoke Regional Airport 70 minutes.

Mr. Smith, thank you so much again for considering of the Homestead for this event.  I will follow up with you in the coming days to find out what questions you have for me. Please feel free to contact me if I may provide you with additional information prior d at 540-434-1333 or Sandy.Minskoff@TheHomestead.com.

Warm regards,



Sandy Minskoff
Director of Specialty Markets


If this is still too pricey, please let me know, as I have some other options we can consider.

Beckley has quite a few options to stay at Don... if all else fails, I'll start exploring options there.  Patience everyone, I'm working on a group rate somewhere I think is pretty special if I can work it out, but I'm negotiating with the hotel.  Not to mention today I'm getting new carpet, running 84 apartments, helping our new exchange student integrate into American culture, buying and selling personal vehicles, dealing with DMV, cleaning the garage and ensuring the health and happiness of a family of 5 right now, plus animals.   

We'll have a hotel to stay at in due time, trust me.   

Whelp... I finally found the next Ben-mobile for the coming years.  After a long search, many many test drives, I settled in on a new 2008 Toyota Avalon Limited, in Blizzard Pearl White, Tan leather interior, with dynamic laser cruise control, and XM.

I love it!  Is it sporting... no, not really.  It's got a pretty snotty V-6 that's more than adequate around town and on the highway.  After getting beat up for 5 years by the Mini on Norfolk roads, I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to ride on a suspension as forgiving as this one.  I also have to give a big thumbs up to the comfy air conditioned seats... very la-z-boy.  Heck, the back seats even recline! 

Anyhow, it's a crazy departure from the Mini by all accounts... and I know there will be many occasions that I'll miss the Mini for short little trips and Mini Events and Autocross... but for my current day to day life where I have to have 3-4 other people riding with me on a daily basis... I'm sure I'll be alright.   

Stay tuned...pics coming soon!

I bought my rims from wheels next.  Be sure to check the security of the balance weights.  They are stuck on the rim with some sort of 3m tape essentially, which I found pretty cheesy.  If you're not buying them with tires however, you should be fine.  Just have them balanced by a quality shop here like Boss Wheels or Joes.

The first Fall Colors Run 2 years ago we hit up Luray Caverns...  It was really awesome and well worth the trip.  Once we nail down hotel location and I start working on the route, we'll see what comes our way!  A cavern trip sounds awesome Dale, no doubts there.