Need Hotel during ACC -- Airport, Rock Hill, Other?????

I am planning a trip to Charlotte for my son%26#39;s swim meet. Unfortunately it is during the dates of the ACC tournament. I can%26#39;t find a hotel near the Meclenburg Aquatic Center and need an alternative. I%26#39;ve read several reviews of car break-ins for the airport area so I%26#39;m concerned about that area. Any suggestions on an area other than downtown that would be safe for our family? By the way, how bad is the traffic during the ACC? Will we have trouble driving into the city and parking?

Need Hotel during ACC -- Airport, Rock Hill, Other?????

Hotels around the airport that I think would be as safe as anywhere in town include - Renaissance Suites, Hyatt Place, Springhill Suites, and Homewood Suites.

You can expect formidable traffic.

Need Hotel during ACC -- Airport, Rock Hill, Other?????

Surrounding areas that are 30 minutes include Concord (Speedway blvd)...lots of newer, moderate hotels, restaurants, shopping....Huntersville is closer and a nice area north of city, but getting congested. Depends on how far away you are willing to go and the timing of your trips to the aquatic center as to the traffic and drive times. The ACC tournament itself won%26#39;t have a major impact on traffic, but may on the hotel situation.

I have to disagree about the ACC traffic - it will be massive. I%26#39;d get the schedules and plan accordingly. Even if you time yourself...PARKING!!!!!!

I am in the same dilemma as Savannnah - same swim meet. I have booked the Hyatt Place on Oak Park Blvd. but am confused as there seems to be another Hyatt Place just down the road on S. Stream? Is there a major difference between the two? The Oak Park location appears to have lower rates. Also, our team hotel is the Holiday Inn at Billy Graham Pkwy. but the reviews don%26#39;t look very good. Can anyone give advise on which of these hotels would be better for travelling back and forth to the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center? We have to go twice a day (early morning and mid-afternoon) Thursday through Sunday, ACC weekend. Any suggestions for parking would be greatly appreciated, also.

The two Hyatts are a block apart. They were former Amerisuites built in the old Coliseum hayday. I would think they are now carbon copies since all Hyatt Places are new.

From there to the Aquatic Center is a pretty good clip - I%26#39;d go out W. Tyvola to West Blvd. West Blvd to South Blvd. Turn left onto South Blvd. South becomes Caldwell and you turn from there onto MLK Blvd ( where the Center is). Now, that route takes you through the ';hood'; - might be a little scary to a newcomer and I wouldn%26#39;t drive it at night.

Otherwise, you can take Billy Graham Parkway to I-77 - go north to 277 ( John Belk Freeway) take that to S. Blvd/Caldwell exit and then over to MLK. This route will have massive traffic during rush hour. My surface street route above will easier to navigate in traffic - it keeps moving.

There%26#39;s a neat attraction virtually across from your hotel - The Billy Graham Library %26amp; Museum. It%26#39;s free and very interesting. You can tour his boyhood home, visit Ruth Graham%26#39;s grave, walk the park-like grounds, and visit the interactive museum. They also have a good dairy bar! Less than 5 minutes from your hotel.

P.S. I would not stay at the Holiday Inn BGP - busy, noisy, car break-ins. It%26#39;s five minutes from Hyatt.

Thanks so much, bud41, for the hotel and driving advice. And thanks for the tip about the Billy Graham Library and Museum.

Any advice about parking garages or lots near the aquatic center?

Another area that would be nice and convenient is SouthPark - near the SouthPark mall. Close proximity and very nice area with great restaurants and shops! :-)

RE: Parking at the Aquatic Center - sorry- never go there so not sure. But I would think that would be on their website.

olay regenerist