The rates are too damn high…for VMworld 2012 hotels

If you haven’t booked your hotel room for VMworld 2012, prepared to be gouged. I haven’t seen prices this marked up since I tried buying milk and bread before Hurricane Irene.

After seeing some Twitter users grumbling about hotel rates around the Moscone Convention Center, I decided to investigate (i.e., go to Hotels.com).  I restricted my search to hotels that are less than a quarter mile away from the VMworld epicenter. After all, who wants a long trek back to bed after “networking” until last call?

On the high end, there is The St. Regis at $774 a night. The most affordable is The Westin at $381 a night. (Hurry! Only 4 rooms remain!) And there is a smattering of choices in between those prices.

That said, you could stay at The Mosser for $139 a night, but it’s a hostel and you have to share a bathroom. Just be sure to check in early, so you can claim the bottom bunk.

Luckily, many companies use travel agency for better rates. But you should still anticipate a pretty hefty lodging bill, regardless. Where’s Jimmy McMillan when you need him?