Hotels throughout the city of are posting “no vacancy” signs as hundred of guests travel to Abilene for ACU’s 2010 Sing Song production.
Other events, such as Homecoming and graduation, attract many out-of-towners, but according to hotel managers, Sing Song is one of the busiest and biggest weekends of the year. Parents, alumni and prospective students all come to see one of ACU’s oldest and most beloved traditions, and the hotels around campus fill up months in advance.
Goldy Brar, manager at Comfort Suites University, said local hotels benefit from the extra traffic.
“Our hotel is 100 percent sold out,” Brar said.
This seems to be the trend across the whole city. Even hotels across town and near the mall expect maximum occupancy.
This rush of guests means extra work for those employed by Abilene hotels. Dustin Brooks, assistant general manager at Hampton Inn Abilene I-20, said the hotel scheduled extra staff Friday afternoon to ensure quick and efficient guest check-in.
Even newer hotels, like Sleep Inn & Suites on Danville Drive, will be operating at maximum occupancy this weekend.
Nayna Patel, general manager for Sleep Inn, said the hotel had only four rooms remaining as of Monday and will be offering a wider dining menu and more food in order to accommodate Sing Song guests.
Many hotels also have special rates for high-traffic days. Sleep Inn is offering special group rates for guests with multiple-room reservations. Hampton Inn invokes a minimum two-night-stay policy during Sing Song weekend, which decreases the number of guests just stopping through Abilene for a night and leaves more rooms open for Sing Song weekend visitors.
While the Sing Song schedule might be hectic for students, for Abilene hotels, the hype and the excitement mean good business.