So where's a good place to stay if attending the Kirkham Open House?

1ntCobra · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-2011, 10:13 AM

For the past few years I have contemplated going to the Kirkham Open House in February to check out the art that they call cars and see a place where things are actually still made in the US.

I think this is the year that I'm finally going to do it.

So for those of you who have gone, where is a good place to stay? Salt Lake City or Provo?

Kit Cars Mexico · #2 (**permalink**) 01-01-2011, 10:32 AM

I've been there four times before and I think it's the best place, 10 minutes from Kirkham.

http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/prop...962&propId=962

computerworks · #3 (**permalink**) 01-01-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

So for those of you who have gone, where is a good place to stay? Salt Lake City or Provo?

SLC is about a 45-min ride (without snow), so right in Provo would be a better choice.

I've stayed here and was very satisfied.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...urtyard-provo/

1ntCobra · #4 (**permalink**) 01-01-2011, 12:36 PM

Hmm, I checked the La Quinta for rooms on that weekend earlier today and it claimed there were none, but now it says there are some...

Anyway, I booked the Courtyard by Marriott per Ron's suggestion instead for Friday night. I picked something close to the airport for Saturday night.

Tom Kirkham · #5 (**permalink**) 01-01-2011, 06:27 PM

This is the closet hotel to Kirkham Motorsports

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/h...tyhocn=PVUORHX

1ntCobra · #6 (**permalink**) 01-02-2011, 06:53 AM

I'm going to need a lot more practice if I'm going to be able to make a giant Kirkham "K" symbol in my yard as snow art. It was just too slippery to get right.

I wonder if it was a good idea to reserve a Mustang convertible rental car. Ron mentioned something about snow. Does it snow in Utah in February?

Jamo · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 01:05 AM

Naw...don't worry about it. Very balmy.

1ntCobra · #8 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamo

Naw...don't worry about it. Very balmy.

Balmy? Hmm. I think you just might be messing with me...

I do have a vague recollection of visiting the Salt Lake City area a few times for business between 1989 and 1996. I kind of remember taking a random drive up into the mountains one weekend in June and it was snowing.

So what exactly is your definition of balmy?

Hexnut72 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 01:43 PM

There have been open houses where it was sunny but cold in the morning and snowing by the afternoon. And other times when it was just sunny but still a tad bit nipply.

So, yes, it can be cold and snowy at that time. It can also be fairly mild, but most likely not real warm.

The SLC airport is about a 50 min to hour drive from Provo especially on a Sunday morning. That is unless it is snowing. You could probably get away with staying in Provo the entire time.

kurtmart · #10 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 01:55 PM

Be careful. Last time I went there it cost me 60 Grand.

Yes, Provo. Don't listen to Jamo, I heard he's a lawyer.

1ntCobra · #11 (**permalink**) 01-11-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hexnut72

There have been open houses where it was sunny but cold in the morning and snowing by the afternoon. And other times when it was just sunny but still a tad bit nipply.

So, yes, it can be cold and snowy at that time. It can also be fairly mild, but most likely not real warm.

The SLC airport is about a 50 min to hour drive from Provo especially on a Sunday morning. That is unless it is snowing. You could probably get away with staying in Provo the entire time.

I would think that there might be more to do on Saturday night in SLC than Provo, but I don't think I've ever been to Provo, so what do I know... I also think it will be easier to get to the airport on Sunday morning.

As far as things to do in SLC, I kind of remember some interesting laws regarding alcoholic beverages. I'm not really into drinking, I only occasionally have a beer, but I remember my boss trying to get a drink at some SLC restaurant. I think they "rented" him a shot glass and gave him a "free" drink.

I think the hotels had clubs you could join (instead of bars), where you could get alcoholic beverages. Perhaps I'm confusing SLC with Ocean City NJ...

1ntCobra · #12 (**permalink**) 01-11-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurtmart

Be careful. Last time I went there it cost me 60 Grand.

Yes, Provo. Don't listen to Jamo, I heard he's a lawyer.

I'll only be able to drool on the cars, not buy any.

Perhaps I should have gotten a better divorce lawyer. I raided my 401k to settle up with my soon to be ex-wife. I get the kids and the debt...

I'm sure things will work out and I'll be able to affords some toys sometime in the future. Say does anyone want to buy a 1994 twin turbo RX-7 R2?

1ntCobra · #13 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011, 10:25 AM

Well it did turn out to be balmy with drizzle on the day of the open house, but then I woke up to snow the next morning before my flight.

The Courtyard by Marriott in Provo was nice and it was probably only 10 minutes from the Open House.

I had not been out to the Salt Lake City area in a long time. I had forgotten how the addresses are sort of like coordinates with most streets numbered in every direction. I'm used to named streets or streets that are numbered in one direction (like north/south) and named in the other direction (like east/west). It did help me get where I wanted to go once I sort of got the hang of it.

The 2nd night I stayed at the Hyatt Place Salt Lake City Airport. It was nicer than the Courtyard in Provo and included a serve yourself breakfast. There was a gas station nearby to fuel up the rental car before leaving for the airport and was only one exit away from the airport. It made it easy to get to the airport.

In case you did not see them, I posted a bunch of pictures in the Open House thread: Kirkham Motorsports Annual Open House 19 Feb 2011