Some general feedback points from myself based on what I have read and own observations:
1. Prices
I am not going to grumble about prices - the reason being is I acknowledge the fact that I was in a 4* city centre hotel, and the drinks/meals were priced accordingly. Also, following a conversation with several of the EF staff members, I was made aware that some of the prices had indeed already been lowered to accommodate the convention and comparatively to other hotels I have stayed in, or bars of the same calibre (posh upper class cocktail), they were priced reasonably.
As the Venue Liaison for ConFuzzled, I know of the headaches that come from trying to negotiate on lower prices and whilst it is obviously always our main aim to offer the cheapest prices as possible to our attendees, you have to acknowledge that the hotel is a business, and they are looking to make money and a turnover on their sales. I cannot personally comment for Eurofurence, but I do know how XX amount of thousands of pounds the CF hotel have offered us in the way of a discount - and these costs need to be covered in wet/dry sales. Perhaps it’s not unreasonable to ask people to consider that logic when complaining about costs.
In addition, there were dozens upon dozens of places to eat and drink out of the hotel. I think people have lost touch with the fact that the convention hotel is just a hub. You do not have to, nor would I encourage you, to stay there the entire time. How many of you were visiting Germany for the first time? You should have gone out into the town, enjoyed the culture, and taken in the architecture. This is personal preference of course, but the main point is, there were PLENTY of options, and if you had groups of friends to socialise with, this should have in no way compromised your enjoyment or overall con experience by NOT being in the venue 24/7
2. Key cards/rooms/Housekeeping
Absolutely 100% perfect for me. Again my own personal experience. I can only assume people that ended up being locked out of their rooms because roommates had to have their cards re-swiped, in effect rendering any other magnetic cards for that room obsolete. This again was something we suffered a lot of at ConFuzzled.
The rooms were spacious, everything was clean, everything worked, and I could not fault it on single bit. So much so infact, I left a thank you note on my pillow the day I left, because I was simply that impressed.
I wasn’t personally disturbed by housekeeping once. I put my 'Do not disturb' banner out on a nightly basis and was never bothered. My roommate used the phone facility to call up more towels one afternoon, we had them within 2 minutes. When we did leave the room, every day we came back to made beds, and folded sheets. Perfect service!
3. Elevators
I am beginning to think I am the only person that feels the lifts at this hotel were infinitely easier to use, and more reliable, than those of the Ringburg. I never queued more than about a minute anytime I tried to use one. It amused me greatly how many people did congregate around the glass elevators and neglected the enclosed ones at the rear of the hotel. My only annoyance was, and to echo Kage on this, people getting in the elevator for the sake of 1 floor - especially from ground to conference level. There were stairs available. If I can traverse them in fursuit, I am sure all others can also manage them, even if to simply speed up your own waiting time.
4. Hotel Staff
I heard rumours of rude staff, but didn’t once encounter it. Infact, there was one girl in particular behind the bar whom I felt I had been rude to, apologised to her and she promptly laughed it off (assuming I was a drunk Brit no doubt) and was incredibly friendly. I also noticed she was there EVERYDAY from 2pm till we were kicked out of the bar. I was there every night at closing, sometimes it was as late as 6am. Spare a thought for her, and the other bar staff, who worked those incredibly long hours to ensure we were served.
5. 'That Kid'
I will no doubt be biased here as I am incredibly close to and good friends with her parents, but can for that very reason assure everyone that she was not once left un-attended, and was always watched, if even sometimes from afar so as to allow her her own space and enjoyment of the convention. In addition to this, as a social group of friends, there are several of us that are very close and almost if you will like an uncle to her. I assure you again she was always under responsible and watchful eyes.
I do think some of the comments towards this situation have been of an attacking nature, and really should stop. I can fully appreciate the comment stating that it seems to be flaunting the rules for this one individual however, I think given the sheer amount of hard work, time, money and effort Fairlight puts into the convention now, and over the years, this is a privilege he can be bestowed.
6. Fursuit lounge
OMG - Awesome. Enough said.
7. Only negative comment
The only one piece of negative feedback I have is regarding one individual member of Eurofurence staff on the security team. This person was very forceful in pushing me in a direction towards the hotel right at the end of the fursuit parade when I was both tired, dehydrated, and extremely hot and sweaty. I did mention this to two members of staff, and they did indeed correctly point out who I should raise the complaint too. However, I decided not to carry this forward because I think all it came down to was inexperience on this individual’s part in knowing how to handle tired and thirsty fursuiters. Also, I imagine he was actually trying to be helpful in steering me in the correct direction for my own safety, but did so in a less than pleasant way.
My feedback would be therefore, that anyone chaperoning the fursuit walk or acting as a guide needs better education how to act as a handler so as to avoid any discomfort on the fursuiters part. He really was very pushy and hands on.
That’s it really. There are lots more pros and cons I am sure I could go into, but all so trivial, they wouldn’t be worth mentioning. I would however extend my gratitude towards ALL the con staff for making this a particularly enjoyable experience, and certainly the best one I have had since EF12, which was my first ever convention. Thank you all! (sorry this was so long!)
Colifox/Rizzorat
