--- title: Parking vs. The Drive description: Selecting a hotel for your travel sports organization isn't always easy. One thing people often overlook is the pros and cons of hotels close to and further from the venue. image: https://blog.tournkey.com/hubfs/Hotel%20parking%20versus%20drive%20time.png --- [![FULL-WIDE-BLACK-A](https://blog.tournkey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tournkey/FULL-WIDE-BLACK-A.png?width=150&height=843&name=FULL-WIDE-BLACK-A.png "FULL-WIDE-BLACK-A")](https://blog.tournkey.com) [![FULL-WIDE-BLACK-A](https://blog.tournkey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tournkey/FULL-WIDE-BLACK-A.png?width=150&height=843&name=FULL-WIDE-BLACK-A.png "FULL-WIDE-BLACK-A")](https://blog.tournkey.com/blog.tournkey.com) - [News & Resources](https://blog.tournkey.com) - [Home](https://www.tournkey.com) - [Support](https://help.tournkey.com) - [Login](http://tournkey.app) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com) Search ## [![](https://blog.tournkey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20Tournkey%20Icons%20-%20Gradient_ORGS%201%20copy%2028.png?width=3845&height=843&name=New%20Tournkey%20Icons%20-%20Gradient_ORGS%201%20copy%2028.png)](http://www.tournkey.app) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com) [✕](https://blog.tournkey.com/parking-vs.-the-drive#atbs-offcanvas-primary) - Menu Item 1 - Sub-menu Item 1 - Another Item - Sub-menu Item 2 - Menu Item 2 - Yet Another Item - Menu Item 3 - Menu Item 4 [Hotels](https://blog.tournkey.com/tag/hotels) # Downtown Hotels - Pay for Parking vs. Drive Time By [Tyler Childs](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tyler-childs) 11 Nov 2026 [![Connor Randall](https://blog.tournkey.com/hubfs/Tournkey/author-tyler-childs.jpg)](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tyler-childs) [Tyler Childs](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tyler-childs) 11 Nov 2026 - - - By Sunday afternoon, the kids might remember the hotel waterslide as clearly as the final score. Their parents might remember the $40 parking bill and the drive back to the rink for a game that started before breakfast opened. Both are part of the same tournament weekend. And both belong in the hotel decision. At Tournkey, we help thousands of families book tournament accommodations every year. Room rate usually gets the first look, followed by room type, a pool, and included breakfast. For teams with players under 13, the pool often moves up the list. Parking fees and drive time tend to come up later, even though they can change which hotel offers the best value. Start with two questions: 1. **What will each family spend over the whole weekend?** 2. **What will they actually get to do with the time they have?** ## The cheapest room can cost more by Sunday Compare hotels using the same dates, room type, and number of guests. Add hotel taxes, parking, mandatory fees, and any extra guest charges. Then estimate what families will spend on breakfast and fuel. If families would pay for an activity elsewhere, include that in the comparison too. Here’s what three options might look like for a family of four staying two nights. The prices are illustrative and exclude tax. The breakfast estimate assumes $6 per person each morning. | Weekend expense | Budget hotel | Hotel with an indoor pool | Hotel near the venue | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Nightly room rate | $145 | $170 | $195 | | Room for two nights | $290 | $340 | $390 | | Parking for two nights | Included | Included | $40 | | Breakfast for two mornings | $48 | Included | Included | | Estimated local fuel | $12 | $8 | $4 | | **Estimated weekend total** | **$350** | **$348** | **$434** | | Drive to the venue, each way | 25 minutes | 15 minutes | 5 minutes | In this example, the pool hotel costs $25 more per night and comes out $2 cheaper for the weekend. The hotel closest to the venue costs $86 more than the pool hotel. Across four round trips, it saves about 80 minutes in the car. A family with an early game and a long afternoon break might happily pay that. A family that plans to stay at the venue all day might put the $86 toward dinner or an activity. Check the assumptions before you share a comparison with the team. Included breakfast has value when it opens before families need to leave. Free parking matters most when there’s space for everyone. If two queen beds are essential, make sure the hotel has enough two-queen rooms **at the group rate**. A block full of kings with sofa beds can change the decision for several families. ## When is the pool worth paying for? Look at the tournament schedule before you look at the pool photos. **A packed schedule favours the practical hotel.** If you’re arriving late Friday, playing most of Saturday, and checking out before Sunday’s games, there may be time for one quick swim. Keep the room rate down and put the savings toward a team pizza night, an arcade visit, or another activity families can opt into. **Long breaks make an indoor pool more valuable.** A morning game and an evening game leave a lot of day to fill. A hotel close enough for a real break gives younger players and siblings something to do, and parents a place to have lunch and regroup. For a winter tournament or a weekend with rain in the forecast, an indoor pool can carry more weight than an outdoor one. **A water park makes sense when families have time to use it.** If families are coming in a day early or staying after the final game, a resort can turn the trip into a mini-vacation. Compare the resort premium with what families would actually spend on another activity. If it costs an extra $65 per night, that’s $130 over two nights. For a family that already planned to spend around $130 on an outing, the upgrade may fit their budget. For a family that only wanted a quick swim, a regular pool may be plenty. Call the property before making the pool the reason to book. Ask whether it will be open on your dates, when the slide runs, whether there are height restrictions, and how many people can use the pool at once. If the team wants to eat together, ask where families can gather and whether outside food is allowed. A hotel can have a great pool and still have nowhere for 15 families to share a pizza. ## Hotel brands to shortlist for different kinds of tournament weekends Use these brands and properties as starting points. Room layouts, pool access, parking, and group terms can vary by location, so confirm the details with the hotel quoting your block. | If your team wants… | Start with these hotels | What makes them worth a look | | --- | --- | --- | | **A budget-first stay** | **Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, La Quinta by Wyndham, Tru by Hilton, and Comfort hotels** | Start here when families mainly need a place to sleep and breakfast before heading out. Choice Hotels has a sports group program that includes Comfort. Check the two-bed inventory and whether breakfast hours fit the first game. | | **Breakfast and a pool without resort pricing** | **Hampton by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, Fairfield by Marriott, and SpringHill Suites by Marriott** | Compare locations that list an indoor pool. The first three are strong breakfast-first options, and SpringHill Suites is worth a look when families want more room to spread out. Marriott also has a youth sports group booking program. | | **A waterslide without a full resort stay** | **Select Best Western Plus and Holiday Inn & Suites properties** | Look for a specific property with a slide. The **Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn** in London, Ontario, and **Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South** in Alberta are two examples. Compare their rates with nearby standard pool hotels and confirm slide hours. | | **More room and fewer restaurant meals** | **Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Home2 Suites by Hilton, and Staybridge Suites** | These are good options for a three-night tournament, larger families, or anyone bringing their own food. Check the kitchen setup if you plan to cook. **Embassy Suites by Hilton** is another option when a separate sleeping area and included breakfast matter more than a full kitchen. | | **The shortest trip to the venue** | **Hampton, Courtyard by Marriott, and participating Hyatt properties near your assigned venue** | Shop by address. **Hampton Inn Emerson LakePoint** in Georgia is within walking distance of the LakePoint sports complex, while **Courtyard Hamilton** in Ohio is about a mile from Spooky Nook Sports. Hyatt also offers youth sports room blocks at participating properties across North America. | | **A hotel that doubles as the weekend activity** | **Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resorts** | These are purpose-built water park resorts. They’re worth pricing when families have a full afternoon or an extra day to use the facilities. Check how many guests get admission with the room and which activities cost extra. | ## When should you pay for parking, and when should you drive? **Pay for the closer hotel when families can use the location several times a day.** Walking to games, heading back for lunch, or letting a younger sibling nap between games can make a tournament feel less rushed. If the team is playing downtown, check whether hotel parking allows re-entry and whether the venue charges separately. A walkable hotel can save a second parking charge as well as a drive. **Drive a little farther when families can make one round trip a day.** A hotel near a highway, grocery store, or cluster of restaurants can work well for a suburban sports complex. The extra distance is easier to absorb when teams play back-to-back games or plan to spend the day at the venue. Compare rates for your dates. A hotel outside the host area can offer better value, especially when it includes breakfast and parking. **Check all the venues before committing.** Every Tournkey hotel link includes a map. Use it to check routes at the times families will travel, including Friday arrival and Saturday’s first game. For tournaments spread across several rinks, gyms, or diamonds, a hotel between venues can be more convenient than one beside the main complex. If the schedule is still pending, price the hotel against the venues your age group could realistically draw. At Tournkey, we work directly with hotels on group rates and can ask them to reduce or waive parking charges where possible. If parking is the only thing keeping a hotel off your shortlist, get the group quote before ruling it out. ## Give families a choice they can actually vote on Put two or three options in the team chat. Include the estimated total per family, bed configuration, drive time, breakfast hours, and the activity or convenience each option buys. A poll that says “Pool or no pool?” is easy to answer. A poll that says “Would you pay $35 more for the weekend for an indoor pool and a 10-minute shorter drive?” tells you what families would actually book. Before you commit to the block, confirm how many rooms of each type are held, the booking deadline, and the cancellation terms. If the tournament requires teams to book through its housing program, compare the options available through that program before polling families. A weekend with a tight schedule might call for a comfortable room, early breakfast, and an easy drive. A team travelling with siblings and a free Saturday afternoon might get more out of a hotel with a pool or waterslide. Either way, the best choice is the one families can afford and have time to enjoy. **Planning your next tournament trip? Contact Tournkey for help comparing room blocks, parking, amenities, and drive times.** - [Hotels](https://blog.tournkey.com/tag/hotels) 0 ![Tyler Childs](https://blog.tournkey.com/hubfs/Tournkey/author-tyler-childs.jpg) [Tyler Childs](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tyler-childs) Ty is the founder of Tournkey. His background is in travel and events. Over the last 25 years, Ty has had the opportunity to see the world through events. Tournkey is the amalgamation of that journey and the path towards more productive events. - - - - [![](https://blog.tournkey.com/hubfs/From%20Sketches%20to%20a%20Falcon%20Crest.png)](https://blog.tournkey.com/why-youth-team-and-event-branding-is-worth-the-investment) [previous](https://blog.tournkey.com/why-youth-team-and-event-branding-is-worth-the-investment) ### [Why Youth Team and Event Branding Is Worth the Investment](https://blog.tournkey.com/why-youth-team-and-event-branding-is-worth-the-investment) [![How to Simplify Ticket Sales for Your Sports Event](https://blog.tournkey.com/hubfs/Tournkey/Blog/TK%20-%20How%20to%20Simplify%20Ticket%20Sales%20for%20Your%20Sports%20Event.png)](https://blog.tournkey.com/how-to-simplify-ticket-sales-for-your-sports-event) [next](https://blog.tournkey.com/how-to-simplify-ticket-sales-for-your-sports-event) ### [How to Simplify Ticket Sales for Your Sports Event](https://blog.tournkey.com/how-to-simplify-ticket-sales-for-your-sports-event) #### Related news ### [Choose Your Own Adventure: Downtown Parking or Added Drive Time](https://blog.tournkey.com/drive-or-park) [![](https://blog.tournkey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tournkey/author-tyler-childs.jpg?width=35&height=35&length=35&upsize=true&upscale=true&name=author-tyler-childs.jpg)](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tyler-childs) [Tyler Childs](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tyler-childs) November 11 2026 [Tournaments](https://blog.tournkey.com/tag/tournaments) ### [Why Youth Team and Event Branding Is Worth the Investment](https://blog.tournkey.com/why-youth-team-and-event-branding-is-worth-the-investment) [![](https://blog.tournkey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tournkey/author-tyler-childs.jpg?width=35&height=35&length=35&upsize=true&upscale=true&name=author-tyler-childs.jpg)](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tyler-childs) [Tyler Childs](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tyler-childs) November 11 2026 [Branding](https://blog.tournkey.com/tag/branding) ### [Building an Event Tourism Engine](https://blog.tournkey.com/building-an-event-tourism-engine) [![](https://blog.tournkey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tournkey%20Avatar.png?width=35&height=35&length=35&upsize=true&upscale=true&name=Tournkey%20Avatar.png)](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tournkey-team) [Tournkey Team](https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tournkey-team) December 11 2025 [Event Software](https://blog.tournkey.com/tag/event-software) [![](https://blog.tournkey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20Tournkey%20Icons%20-%20Gradient_ORGS%201%20copy%2028.png?width=3845&height=843&name=New%20Tournkey%20Icons%20-%20Gradient_ORGS%201%20copy%2028.png)](http://www.tournkey.app) - Menu Item 1 - Sub-menu Item 1 - Another Item - Sub-menu Item 2 - Menu Item 2 - Yet Another Item - Menu Item 3 - Menu Item 4 [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tyler Childs", "url" : "https://blog.tournkey.com/author/tyler-childs" }, "dateModified" : "2026-11-12T04:46:41.753Z", "datePublished" : "2026-11-11T23:16:03.000Z", "headline" : "Parking vs. The Drive", "image" : [ "https://blog.tournkey.com/hubfs/Hotel%20parking%20versus%20drive%20time.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.tournkey.com/parking-vs.-the-drive", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.tournkey.com/hubfs/New%20Tournkey%20Icons%20-%20Gradient_ORGS%201%20copy%2028.png" }, "name" : "Tournkey" } } ```