If you’re going to the Mountaineers’ first home football game today against James Madison University and want to stay overnight in Morgantown, you’re probably out of luck.
Many of the hotels within walking distance of Milan Puskar Stadium, like the Hampton Inn on Van Voorhis Road or the Euro-Suites Hotel on Chestnut Ridge Road, are sold out.
Others, such as Hotel Morgan, had rooms available Friday afternoon for $199 a night. Both the Springhill Suites on Hunter’s Way — $284, breakfast included — and the Holiday Inn on Pineview Drive — $309 — also had rooms available.
Justin Reedy, area general manager for Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield Inn by Marriott, said the local hotel market should get tighter when WVU’s Big 12 opponents come to town.
“It’s always a toss-up with the first game,” Reedy said. “The game is sold out and I expect some last-minute reservations. But James Madison is not Texas or Oklahoma. They travel with a smaller group.”
WVU became a member of the Big 12 in 2012. Most of its Big 12 opponents are now a plane ride, rather than a car ride, away. Before becoming part of the Big 12, most Morgantown hotels typically required a two-night commitment. Some hotels will try to make up the revenue lost by the conference move by charging higher rates.
On non-game days, the 30-plus hotels and motels in Monongalia and Preston counties are usually more than 60% occupied, according to the Greater Morgantown Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Chrissy Buchanan, general manager of Lakeview Golf Resort, said they are sold out for the game and have been referring people to hotels located just over the border in Uniontown, Pa.
“We’re typically sold out for all home games,” she said. “We try and keep a list of who has room availability.”
Airbnb, an online marketplace and hospitality service based in San Francisco, showed two places had room availability for tonight — private homes in Morgantown. There was also a private home in Fairmont.
Hotels advertising rooms were in Kingwood and Hopwood, Pa.
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