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Post by funkyodar on Aug 16, 2016 18:56:43 GMT -5
Let me just add that, along with the relative affordability, close proximity to opm, clean spacious rooms, very decent restaurant and exceptionally nice staff, State Plaza has the benefit of some awesome juju.
I stayed there, multiple friends have, I think every judge in Tupelo stayed there when they tested and all ultimately landed the job. Winner winner, room service dinner.
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Post by hopefulop on Aug 16, 2016 19:54:11 GMT -5
Let me just add that, along with the relative affordability, close proximity to opm, clean spacious rooms, very decent restaurant and exceptionally nice staff, State Plaza has the benefit of some awesome juju. I stayed there, multiple friends have, I think every judge in Tupelo stayed there when they tested and all ultimately landed the job. Winner winner, room service dinner. I am going mid september and just called them and they are close to $400/night --but then again the awesome JuJu might be worth it
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Post by alohastate on Aug 16, 2016 19:58:08 GMT -5
One big perk of testing in December is the State Plaza is only about $100/night. Heck, the Grand Hyatt is only $115.
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Post by greendog on Aug 16, 2016 20:13:22 GMT -5
You can camp out at cherry hill park. Cause some people like to camp. My idea of camping is embassy suites.
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Post by denise on Aug 16, 2016 20:18:59 GMT -5
I am also shocked at hotel prices in late October. When I took the SI in January 2009 my hotel (Embassy Suites-Chevy Chase Pavilion) was $89. I Just booked 2 nights at The Fairfax at Embassy Row and it will be $500!!! I wanted to test in October or November, but I was simultaneously checking the hotels and flights. I couldn't believe the Nov. 14 dates had several hotels at $660 plus or were sold out. I ended up with a later date because I am not blowing that much cash on an American hotel in Washington, DC.
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Post by christina on Aug 16, 2016 20:24:44 GMT -5
You can camp out at cherry hill park. Cause some people like to camp. My idea of camping is embassy suites. Good way to save money!!
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Post by hopingforalj on Aug 16, 2016 20:36:37 GMT -5
I went with Foggy Bottom Courtyard Marriott, I really enjoy the Foggy Bottom Boys Blue Grass band, so felt it was good karma.
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Post by tripper on Aug 16, 2016 21:11:39 GMT -5
Let me just add that, along with the relative affordability, close proximity to opm, clean spacious rooms, very decent restaurant and exceptionally nice staff, State Plaza has the benefit of some awesome juju. I stayed there, multiple friends have, I think every judge in Tupelo stayed there when they tested and all ultimately landed the job. Winner winner, room service dinner. As I am flight delayed after flight delayed trying to get to FC for my interview tmw, I hope you are right on th SP juju!
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Post by Thru Hiker on Aug 16, 2016 21:38:04 GMT -5
One big perk of testing in December is the State Plaza is only about $100/night. Heck, the Grand Hyatt is only $115. this is a good tip....
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Post by Pixie on Aug 16, 2016 21:38:09 GMT -5
Let me just add that, along with the relative affordability, close proximity to opm, clean spacious rooms, very decent restaurant and exceptionally nice staff, State Plaza has the benefit of some awesome juju. I stayed there, multiple friends have, I think every judge in Tupelo stayed there when they tested and all ultimately landed the job. Winner winner, room service dinner. As I am flight delayed after flight delayed trying to get to FC for my interview tmw, I hope you are right on th SP juju! Hope it works out for you. Let us know. Pixie
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Post by msp on Aug 17, 2016 8:25:13 GMT -5
Let me just add that, along with the relative affordability, close proximity to opm, clean spacious rooms, very decent restaurant and exceptionally nice staff, State Plaza has the benefit of some awesome juju. I stayed there, multiple friends have, I think every judge in Tupelo stayed there when they tested and all ultimately landed the job. Winner winner, room service dinner. As I am flight delayed after flight delayed trying to get to FC for my interview tmw, I hope you are right on th SP juju! I hope you made in time to get some rest before your interview!
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Post by funkyodar on Aug 17, 2016 8:33:29 GMT -5
I tested in September and I don't recall State Plaza costing as much as you guys are finding now. But, I also shared a room with a fellow applicant and split the cost. Not that I would suggest you guys doubling up. I lucked up in the fact that my college roommate (a guy that was the best man at my wedding, my junior partner in the firm I started, the person that convinced me to come to work for SSA in 2009) was also testing on the same days I was. Our SI's were even at the same time (both SS#s from the same state and last names beginning with the same letter.) So, my trip to the OPM torture chamber became a reunion with a good friend and I was able to stay on the cheap. And further supporting the awesome juju of the state plaza argument, we both made the register, made the first cert, interviewed with SSA on the same date, were hired as aljs on that first cert and trained together in FC.
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Post by places2go on Aug 17, 2016 11:16:40 GMT -5
How to pack your suit without wrinkles.
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Post by wvjabes on Aug 17, 2016 11:49:11 GMT -5
After reading this thread, I decided I needed to get moving on accommodations so I checked out State Plaza. State Plaza was completely sold out for my testing dates (last week of September). After that, I looked at too many hotel websites and Expedia. With Christmas around the corner and having seen the list my children are working on for Santa already, I ultimately decided to just roll the dice with Hotwire (focusing on the Dupont Embassy Row area). All told, with taxes, fees, cancellation insurance (hopefully not needed), etc., I got the Embassy Row Hotel at a little over $500 for 2 nights, which I'm pretty happy about.
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Post by msp on Aug 17, 2016 11:49:48 GMT -5
My big debate with Self is flying vs. driving. Essentially about the same length of time for either, factoring in the pre-arrival time at the airport.
Not too worried about security backlog, having enrolled in TSA pre-check. Weather should be less of a factor (late September) either way.
Can't decide which mode of transport would be less stressful - anyone else weighing these things? Any advice?
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Post by wvjabes on Aug 17, 2016 11:54:02 GMT -5
I flew out a month ago and both flights, going out and coming back, were delayed. The flight home was delayed by 7 hours from the original departure time. No thanks ... my drive is doable, but not ideal.
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Post by sophie22 on Aug 17, 2016 12:01:24 GMT -5
My big debate with Self is flying vs. driving. Essentially about the same length of time for either, factoring in the pre-arrival time at the airport. Not too worried about security backlog, having enrolled in TSA pre-check. Weather should be less of a factor (late September) either way. Can't decide which mode of transport would be less stressful - anyone else weighing these things? Any advice? In your position, I think I would opt to drive. No stressing about delayed flights, and once the SI is over, you can hop in the car and go home! Since they aren't giving us SI times, you could get stuck sitting around for an entire day if your flight home is at 7pm, and you end up being the first interview of the day. Just my thoughts on it!!
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Post by Gaidin on Aug 17, 2016 12:05:18 GMT -5
My big debate with Self is flying vs. driving. Essentially about the same length of time for either, factoring in the pre-arrival time at the airport. Not too worried about security backlog, having enrolled in TSA pre-check. Weather should be less of a factor (late September) either way. Can't decide which mode of transport would be less stressful - anyone else weighing these things? Any advice? I lived quite some distance from DC (a days drive) and still considered driving. I didn't want to miss to much work is what decided it.
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Post by Quiet Thunder on Aug 17, 2016 12:12:24 GMT -5
I'd prefer flying so that I won't have to engage my brain as I would with driving, plus I can relax and do some review while at the airport or airborne. But, if you choose to drive, how about arriving one day earlier and staying at a cheaper hotel, after which you can check into your pricier D.C. hotel the following day? This way, you'll have a day to recover from the drive and get your head back in the game. Also, if you're driving, don't forget to factor in gas prices; wear and tear on your vehicle or the cost of a rental; and parking in D.C..
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Post by msp on Aug 17, 2016 12:19:48 GMT -5
Thanks everyone - driving it is! I will put together a driving playlist (one where my voice sounds like Adele's, but only in my car), pack some appropriate road snacks (and appropriate beverages for my arrival) and enjoy a beautiful day's drive.
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