Hoop Mom: Finding Hotels

Teresa discusses the difficult task of finding a good hotel for away tournaments.

We just returned from an out-of-town tournament and were very disappointed (again!) with our hotel accommodations. We have attended tournaments in this city three different years and tried three different hotels. Each one had major flaws – uncomfortable beds, poor food, bad service, etc. Do you have any suggestions for avoiding this problem on future trips?

Team Mom

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Dear Team Mom:

As someone who makes hotel arrangements for a team, I can relate to this dilemma! Finding accommodations that meet everyone’s expectations is never an easy task, especially when you are trying to balance the diverse needs of families on a budget with those families who prefer high quality over the lowest cost.

In our three years of traveling to tournaments, we have found some real gems and some real duds. The most notable value so far is the incredible $59-per-night rate offered at the Red Lion Inn at Salmon Creek in Vancouver, Wash., through Oregon Prep Basketball. The hotel is new with a nice pool, the rooms are comfortable, the location is right off the freeway and close to all gyms, and the price includes a decent continental breakfast (including protein-rich hard-boiled eggs and yogurt) and a late checkout upon request (great for those Sunday morning games).

Our only complaint: The breakfast features many items meant to be toasted (frozen waffles, bagels, bread) and only ONE very slow toaster. A $30 investment in an additional toaster would make life easier for all guests trying to get through the breakfast line and make it to the gym on time!

By contrast, we just returned from Yakima and paid $84 a night for a big-name hotel with lumpy beds, shabby rooms and a very poor “continental” breakfast that could be best described as not-quite-thawed mini muffins, juice and fruit – not enough fuel for teams playing two games before lunch.

There is no way to guarantee that any hotel you stay in will meet your standards, but you can probably avoid the worst of them by doing your homework.

• Talk to tournament organizers and see if they offer special rates on nearby hotels. Ask them for recommendations on hotels in several price ranges that are clean, comfortable and convenient. Where would THEY stay if they were booking a room?
• In addition to price, make a list of what amenities are important to the families on your team. A pool for after-game unwinding? A spa and fitness center for the parents? A restaurant with a hot breakfast? An in-room refrigerator and microwave to save on food costs? If you are staying for several days, it may make sense to find a hotel that offers in-room kitchens so that families don’t have to eat out all the time.
• Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, call the hotels with a list of questions. What exactly does the rate include? If breakfast is provided, what is on the menu? Does the hotel charge extra for roll-away beds or for use of the fitness center? Do they allow for late checkout?

After you have returned from your trip, make sure to provide feedback to hotel management about your experience. If you were treated well, say so. If you have complaints, share them. Your comments may inspire improvements in overall service that will benefit all teams during future stays.

Hoop Mom

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Teresa Wippel is team manager of the Warriors Basketball Club, a 6th Grade girls' team from the Seattle area, and mom to Warriors post player Amanda Waldron. In her other life, she is a freelance writer and editor. To ask Teresa a question, email her at

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