It used to be a challenge to find a place to spend the night in Oklahoma City, but not anymore. Since the early 2000s, there has been a hotel building boom and now one can find a place fairly easily. The exception is downtown when events are in progress, like championship games, concerts, or the Opening Night celebration. With the interstate system, however, that doesn’t need to be a problem either as one can find a place within 15 or 20 minutes of downtown.
This chapter includes many hotels around the area, but as construction continues, there is no way to cover them all. For instance, while the Kilpatrick Turnpike/Memorial Road area currently has 13 hotels, three more are scheduled to open by the end of 2009. The metro continues expanding outward and more hotels will surely be added in the future to accommodate the visitors Oklahoma City plans to draw.
Like in other metropolitan areas, hotels and motels in Oklahoma City tend to exist in clusters. The downtown cluster includes the Bricktown Hotel and Convention Center and the newly refurbished historical Skirvin. Down Meridian toward the airport, you’ll find the Embassy Suites and a little farther north, you’ll find the Biltmore. Near Penn Square Mall, along Classen and I-44, is another cluster. North of the city, along the Kilpatrick Turnpike, near Quail Springs Mall are 13 to 15 hotels. North toward Edmond, along I-35 and Second Street, you’ll find a cluster and south of the city toward Norman along I-35, you’ll find even more accommodations. Going west to Yukon along I-40 are more hotels as well as east toward Midwest City.
Besides hotel and motels, I have included bed-and-breakfasts in this chapter. Oklahoma City has several quaint and charming bed-and-breakfasts in the area. The Grandison is downtown, but has a secluded feel to it. Visitors will enjoy quiet evenings in a comfortable atmosphere with the convenience of being downtown.
While Oklahoma City isn’t a tourist town per se, we do have different tourist seasons that are typically related to events. For instance, when the fair opens in Sept, people from across the state flood in and rooms can fill up fast. As with any travel, as soon as you know you will be coming to the area, call and make your reservation.
All bed-and-breakfasts and most hotels are nonsmoking. When making your reservation, be sure to ask if you want a location that allows smoking. Most offer wheelchair accessible rooms as well. Cable or satellite TV is standard with in-room movies available for a small fee. In many cases, small children can stay for free in the same room as a parent. To make guests feel more at home, many rooms include in-room coffee, hair dryers, and irons. For extended stays, dry cleaning services may be available. Almost all hotels have high-speed or wireless Internet access available either for free or for a small fee. Many hotels have continental breakfasts available or a restaurant offering room service. This information is included in the listings below. Ask about pets when making reservations as most accommodations do not allow pets, with the exception of service animals. Also check about phone charges. Most hotels charge for local or long distance phone calls. So keep your cell phone handy or use the lobby pay phones so you’ll know how many quarters are dropped in.
All accommodations listed accept major credit cards. Prices vary from season to season. Off-season runs typically from Oct to Apr and weekends are busier than midweek, so prices may be higher then. Check the Web sites for special prices and don’t forget Expedia and Travelocity when checking for deals.