Festival Site Updates
June 16, 2023
Crown Plaza reservation problems
Dear Brethren,
It has come to my attention that a number of you may have had problems in making your reservations at the Crown Plaza (formerly Holiday Inn) for the Feast in Fort Myers. I have had a few members contact me about the following problems, which we have since corrected:
- The Feast rate ($119) does not apply if you stay an extra night after the Feast, but you must pay the regular rate of $227. That is wrong. Our contract reads that we have the Feast rate ($119) for three days before the Feast to three days after the Feast.
- Some were told that the Feast rate does not extend to the dates of the second half of the Feast. That is wrong, of course.
- Some have been told that the Feast rate ($119 per night) does not include a free breakfast. That is wrong. It includes a free breakfast for eight days, but not for any extra days.
If you have been told any of the above incorrect information or have experienced anything else that you would consider to be in error, please contact me at 239-829-0227 or at [email protected] to let me know about your situation and we will get it corrected.
I do apologize for these mistakes that have happened at the Crown Plaza special reservations desk (239-561-1550). It is our goal to get all the mistakes we have not heard about corrected.
Sincerely,
Jim Haeffele
Feast Coordinator
Fort Myers
Site Description
The Fort Myers, Florida, area has recovered from Hurricane Ian, and it will once again be the Church’s Florida satellite site.
As a satellite site, Fort Myers is intended first to be for the Florida brethren who cannot afford to travel to Feast sites outside of Florida. After the first two weeks of registration, Fort Myers will be open to anyone who would like to come to Fort Myers. The site will be able to accommodate up to 200 people.
The beauty of the Gulf Coast of Florida, the many attractions for brethren to visit and the excellent venue for accommodations and services makes this a very good choice for 2023.
Services will be held at the Crown Plaza Gulf Coast. This is a beautiful property with a large lake on its north side. There are over 30 top restaurants at the Gulf Coast Town Center, just across the main boulevard. Brethren may wish to stay at the Crown Plaza, where a buffet breakfast comes free with your room if you are with the Church. It is an easy walk to the ballroom for daily services.
This area of southwest Florida offers many attractions. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers include the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory and Museum and are open daily for tours. The causeway to Sanibel and Captiva Islands is 30 minutes away, as is Fort Myers Beach. All three have beautiful white-sand beaches, and there are plenty of seashells to gather on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. The very popular Naples Zoo is 35 minutes away, and the western Everglades National Park’s Ten Thousand Islands guided boat tour is just one hour away.
During the Feast this year, the temperature highs in early October typically range from the upper 80s to lowers 90s.
Fragrance-controlled room available: No.
Tax rate for accommodations: 11.5 percent.
Closest airport: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), 5 miles. (Hotel/airport shuttle is complimentary.)
Jim Haeffele