NBA Play-Offs Keep Sacramento Hotels Busy

SACRAMENTO, CA— Although the busy spring legislative session and tourist and convention seasons are in high gear here, the 503-room Hyatt and the neighboring 503-room Sheraton Grand Sacramento are setting aside rooms for the NBA play-offs — a high-risk, but high-reward gamble. If the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers, theyll advance to the NBA Finals and attract attract hundreds of out-of-town visitors. And the Golden State capitals hotel industry stands to reap a big financial windfall. If the team gets eliminated, hotel officials are sent scrambling at the last minute to fill dozens of empty rooms. But officials from the Hyatt and Sheraton properties told the The Sacramento (CA) Bee the gamble comes with the payday associated with hosting NBA teams during the regular season. The local hospitality industry anticipates an even bigger boost because the Lakers and their affluent Hollywood-type fans are coming to town. For years, the concern around NBA circles is the low number of upscale hotels in the Sacramento area. The opening of Sheraton Grand last year eased some of the crunch. Most of the visiting NBA teams stayed at the Sheraton or Hyatt this season, while one used the Hilton Sacramento. The lack of first-class rooms has kept Sacramento from hosting an NBA All-Star Game— a major event requiring 5,000 upscale rooms. However, the demand is less for play-offs. In Sacramento County, there are 10,000 rooms available. But only 14 hotels can satisfy the NBAs full-service standards. SOURCE: The Sacramento (CA) Bee