[QUOTE=Just Jan;7268106]IMHO And as others mentioned, restaurants, etc. If someone is not there directing the events there would be no more public appeal than taking your sewing machine to a local hotel. "
Actually our group has gone to local hotel, it is also fun because we don't want to be managed or project planned by someone else, we each bring our own projects, we just want to have a weekend away to sew & be with friends. But a homey house is better, and we bring enough food for an army so preparing our own meals or getting take-out no problem. 10 to 20 of us meet at least 10 times a year at various facilities, some places we have to go home at night and go back the next day, we also stay at a religious retreat house, stay in dorm rooms, have community bathrooms but bring our own food or go out. Some go to a retreat house similar to what she describes but it only can sleep 8 and a distance away. But where ever we go we have fun! The hotel is fun & comfortable but pricey.