<p>Our son is a freshman at Wake and we booked a room for Family Weekend at the Sundance Plaza Hotel (which is supposed to be a Clarion hotel) -- just looked on Trip Advisor and it got some really bad reviews, so I'm getting nervous that it may be dumpy and dirty. Has anyone stayed there? Not much left in terms of hotel rooms for Family Weekend, so any advice would be appreciated from someone who's been there. Thanks!</p>
<p>Is that the one across University Blvd from the Courtyard? If so, H stayed there a couple of years ago. (D had an appendectomy at the end of sophomore year, and since it was the last day of classes, H flew down to pack her room. But I digress …) He said it was OK when he was there. Also, a friend with a S in my D’s class at Wake (both now graduated) has also stayed there. She also said it was fine – not as nice as the Courtyard, but still convenient for the football game and quite a bit less expensive. How recent are the negative reviews?</p>
<p>Courtyard on U pkwy , nothing fancy but clean and very helpful staff.Residence Inn north of campus also very nice and close to campus.</p>
<p>We stayed at the Sundance Plaza when my son graduated in May. Honestly, it was pretty nice. The bathrooms were definitely on the old side (but not dirty), but everything else was fine. The beds were downright comfortable, and nice clean linens. We are not the most particular family about extra perks. As long as the place is nice and clean, there is hot water, and the toilet flushes, we are happy! The price was much better than the Courtyard, which usually jacks up their prices specially for the parents! Best of luck, and most of all enjoy the weekend. Your student will be so happy to see you! And remember, go Deacs, beat Georgia Tech!</p>
<p>LookingNorth- my D is a freshman at WF and we will also be staying at the Sundance Parents Weekend. The Courtyard across the street was booked last Spring when we started looking into this. The advice on this forum was to stay within walking distance of the stadium since parking can be a real nightmare. Sundance will be an easy walk to the game. I also read the Tripadvisor reviews and am pretty nervous! But somewhere (?maybe in my imagination?) I got the impression the hotel had done renovating since the bad reviews were written. See you there :)!</p>
<p>I have driven past the Sundance several times on my visits down to Wake and to be honest from the outside, at least, it looks very nice. I have stayed at several hotels in WS and honestly they have all been about the same. I have stayed at Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn, Residence Inn. Fairfield Inn was the nicest but it is way out by the Hanes Mall. Holiday Inn was typical for a HI but it is way up on University Pkwy. This past Aug I stayed at the Residence Inn (good location to campus). Had a bit of a problem at check in as I had reserved (in Feb. no less) a bi-level room and when I got there they told me something that still to this day cannot confirm. They told me that the person who had spent the previous night in the room decided to stay for an additional night. The desk clerk told me NC law says that if they have a paying customer who wishes to extend their stay that they can and it is the responsibility of the hotel to put the pending guest (me) in a room of equal accomodations (they offered me two rooms with a king bed in each even though my bi level had 3 beds). If they were unable to give me equal rooms then they had to put me up at a hotel of equal value with same accomodations. I have searched hospitality law in NC and cannot find this anywhere! Originally I thought I would need the bigger room when I made the reservation so it wasn’t really a big deal that this happened since it was just me (my son stayed at the dorm). My husband jokes that we should go down to WS on Thursday of parents weekend and check into the Courtyard and say we want to stay through the weekend. (Courtyard was already booked when I made Parents Weekend Plans). Has anyone ever heard of this ridiculous “law”???</p>
<p>Have never heard of such a “law,” but can attest to the fact that the Courtyard fills up immediately for Family Weekend, and for graduation. D was part of Student Union, and after freshman year had the inside scoop on Family Weekend dates. I booked as soon as she told me. Graduation reservations were made 1 year in advance.</p>
<p>We’ll be at the Sundance, too. :)</p>
<p>Sorry, don’t have any past history with it as we stayed at the Courtyard for move-in. </p>
<p>I sure hope the weather is good. Move-in weather was :(.</p>
<p>Sundance Parents- We were expecting the worst, after reading Tripadvisor, and were pleasantly surprised. I think you will be fine- I did warn about the bathrooms being older, they are nothing to write home about! I hope you all have great weather, and lots of fun!</p>
<p>Schedule just announced…It’s a 7:00 pm football game. 
</p>
<p>For selfish reasons, I was hoping for earlier. Now this complicates the visiting grandpa scenario. Oh well. We’ll make the best of it.</p>
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Wow – in D’s 4 years the game was never that late for Family Weekend. I bet all the restaurants aren’t pleased either – it may well cut down on the number of dinner reservations around W-S.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your comments. We decided to try the Sundance hotel so we could potentially walk to the game (per your thoughts dallasmom), so it sounds like it won’t be too bad. I’m sure there will be “nicer” places to stay, but this seemed like it was worth a try.
njmom – we’re also of the mind that as long as it’s clean, it will be fine – so if that’s what you found then I’m sure it will be okay. I’ve got no issues with bathrooms that are “older” as long as they aren’t dirty and as long as they function! While I like to have a updated room/bathroom, this is only 2 nights, so I’m sure it will be fine. Thanks for putting my mind at ease somewhat. At least we’ll give it a try and we’ll know what to expect for future trips.</p>
<p>just returned yesterday from wake-
stayed at the courtyard by marriott- very clean- and employees lovely</p>
<p>Just found out Son will be in the colorguard at the game. If you’re there you can tell the guy next to you, “hey, I know the NC flag bearer’s mom” when they announce the ROTC cadets. ;)</p>