Hotel Discussion Thread and Poll

Flashheart

I'll be at the Max cause its the closest to the greyhound and PAX, plus it was cheap

thegh0sts

thegh0sts wrote: »

OK, I have booked my Eugene, OR hotel/motel for the original length...now I am waiting on UO to open the ticket sales to their games.

i finally get an email back from amtrak that said i could check in my luggage at any time of the day of departure....hmmm.....

Got Haggis?

I'm staying at Hotel Max as well - got a price of $100/night on Priceline name your own price. It was listed a 3 1/2 star hotel but from the reviews sounds like its not really 3 1/2...but whatever, seems like its in walking distance and in a good location, so thats good to me

creid8

Heads up for anyone who cares - I just cancelled my reservation for Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers, so I guess there would now be an available room. It was double occupancy, 2 beds.

pillarofdawn

Raybdbomb wrote: »

Am I the only one at PAX staying at the Marriott Renaissance? We're squeezing 8 dudes in a double queen.

ouch 8 in a double queen!? im packing 8 in a suite at the farimont olympic and im worried lol

kalani

I had a question about the hotels. I booked a room at the red lion through the pax website in april. And i got the confirmation email saying that the room was booked . But when i called the red lion last week thay said they could not find my reservation anywhere. Has anybody called the hoetl they are staying at for confirmation about their reserxations

zerzhul

The PAX hotel website uses a third party booking company called OnPeak. OnPeak blocks out the rooms with the hotels and then sells the rooms themselves. They don't give the hotels the actual individual reservations until 2-3 weeks prior to PAX. If you have concerns, you should call OnPeak through the number that should be in your reservation email.

kalani

Thank you. I will call onpeak

GeeCee

I called OnPeak yesterday - August 14th is when they will put in the actual reservations.

ASimPerson

Heads up, I am about to cancel a reservation at the Fairmont Olympic sometime in the next few minutes.

Serenity

So question about hotel parking... I am staying at the Homewood Suites downtown convention ctr and parking is $25 valet only plus tax.
Called hotel and they said it's more like $30 with tax... not to mention the valet tip...
Am I better off parking somewhere else or is this a good deal?

I parked at the convention centre last year but I can't remember how much I paid.
Also sorry if this is slightly off topic...

zerzhul

well you're only tipping the valet if you're going in and out. If you are storing the car you won't be giving a ton of tips, so that might cut cost a little.

james1221

room sharing at hotel max. see everyone around there.

chaosisorder

You can self park at the Homewood (or could last year) but their garage is exceptionally...well...batshit crazy and I wouldn't recommend trying with anything larger than a compact car. But if you're just parking and leaving it, it's not so bad.

Moe Fwacky

Hey now, I parked my Buick in their garage with no issues. If I can wield a Buick in that garage, it can't be that bad.

But... if you're a terrible driver, you might want to avoid it.

skylatron

Didn't book at any of the listed hotels this year. While we had some really great hotels the last two years, the price seems to have increased on them *grumble grumble*, so we're staying @ the Travelodge by the Space Needle. Awesome locale, 1 mile from the convention center, walking distance to anything we may need, and for people who care about this sort of thing: garage parking. That was the biggest thing for us this year.

Cerrato0426

Just letting everyone know I cancelled one of my rooms at the Homewood Suites. It was for Thur+Fri+Sat. Looks like it's available for reservation on the hotels page already. I highly recommend the hotel!

chaosisorder

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Hey now, I parked my Buick in their garage with no issues. If I can wield a Buick in that garage, it can't be that bad.

But... if you're a terrible driver, you might want to avoid it.

YOU JUST CALLED ME A TERRIBLE DRIVER DIDN'T YOU!??? Hmpfh.

You can use this to look for other garages: http://web1.seattle.gov/sdot/seattleparkingmap/

Decius

chaosisorder wrote:

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Hey now, I parked my Buick in their garage with no issues. If I can wield a Buick in that garage, it can't be that bad.

But... if you're a terrible driver, you might want to avoid it.

YOU JUST CALLED ME A TERRIBLE DRIVER DIDN'T YOU!??? Hmpfh.

You can use this to look for other garages: http://web1.seattle.gov/sdot/seattleparkingmap/

On the bright side, you aren't the one that landed us in Quincy on what should have been a 10 minute drive from Logan Intl to our hotels.

Though you were the one giving directions...

ptriz21_teamkill

Does the Sheraton have refridgerators in their rooms? The website says "mini-bar with items to purchase." That could just be a basket of candybars and chips though...

Moe Fwacky

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

tsrblke

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

The Grand Hyatt will send up a minifridge, Moe? Have you done this before? Does it cost anything? The wife and I are staying at the Hyatt, and might "borrow" some foodstuffs from the friends we're staying with beforehand if I can snag a fridge. Also great place to put leftovers if we go out to eat at all.
(Also, said friends may use our Hotel room to stash their food/swag, so this could come in handy).

LordFizzlebeef

Beware the Red Lion when roomsharing.

I was one of the first to buy my pass, and reserved at the Red Lion hotel, as I had last year. It was a bit pricey for only 3 of us, but it was a decent experience. I was planning on roomsharing this year, but they would only let me mark maximum "double occupancy". I decided to settle for marking it double occupancy, and called the hotel itself to ask how much extra they charge per person. After getting bounced around a few times from the operator to the front desk to the operator to reservations, I finally get to ask the question. "$10-$15 to print off extra keycards" they said. I ask "Are you sure that's it?" "Oh yes definetly".

Fast forward to today. I call to change the reservation to 5 guests (I called sometime last week and they said they didn't have the reservations in their system yet), and they say "Great! So that's an extra $20 per person per night, grand total $240!" When I ask what happened to the $10-15 that the reservation office quoted me, their response was "Well, we're a special hotel and don't follow that policy." After a lot of yelling at them, and them refusing to budge, probably because they knew I had no chance of securing a reservation anywhere else, I basically gave in and will be probably coughing up the lion's share myself.

This has completely soured me on the Red Lion chain. They were already pricey to begin with, this is too much. To say nothing of the fact that one of their final solutions was "Well looks like you're just going to have to kick out your extra guests" shows me that this is not a place I'm going to be spending my money in the future. I will at the very least be calling the reservation office (or a central customer service number if such a thing exists) and yelling at them tomorrow, telling them why I'm not spending another dollar in their chain ever again.

Moe Fwacky

tsrblke wrote:

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

The Grand Hyatt will send up a minifridge, Moe? Have you done this before? Does it cost anything? The wife and I are staying at the Hyatt, and might "borrow" some foodstuffs from the friends we're staying with beforehand if I can snag a fridge. Also great place to put leftovers if we go out to eat at all.
(Also, said friends may use our Hotel room to stash their food/swag, so this could come in handy).

It does cost a bit, but I remember the cost being very low. I want to say either $5 or $25; that was total for the stay, not per night.

tsrblke

@Moe_Fwacky Cool, we've only got a 2 night stay anyway (Yay friends! Boo driving to PAX!). Might be worth it. Definitely worth calling to confirm the details. (If you had said $20/night, not so much!)
@Lordfizzlebeef: FWIW, when staying in hotels I hardly ever tell them I have extra people. I have inlaws who used to work in the hotel biz who agree that's the play. It doesn't net you anything (bigger room, more towels, NOTHING!) and the incrimental cost to the hotel is hardly that much to them (even if they offer breakfast). Typically when I've just gone into a hotel and acted like I belonged there and said in an affirmative (not mean, just affirmative) voice: "I'll need X* keys please" I've never even been looked at sideways. I have to do this a few times a year for conferences I attend as a poor, broke student.


*X has to be a reasonable number. YMMV, 3-4 works fairly well, 5 may be pushing it since the max occupancy on a lot of rooms is 4.

LordFizzlebeef

Yeah I figured 5 was way over the line in terms of extra people without any asked questions. Also, this is the first time I've ever done a hotel share thing so I'm mostly just winging it.

CommanderTony

LordFizzlebeef wrote:

Yeah I figured 5 was way over the line in terms of extra people without any asked questions. Also, this is the first time I've ever done a hotel share thing so I'm mostly just winging it.

Heh, i'm a part of a 6 person group as well....going to have to keep this fact on the DL.

Cerrato0426

I've always had 6, have always worried, and have never had a problem. This year I have 5. I'm a little worried.

skettios

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

I called and asked
$70 to empty the mini bar fridge
$35/night to rent a mini fridge

savagehart

skettios wrote:

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

I called and asked
$70 to empty the mini bar fridge
$35/night to rent a mini fridge

note to self:: add buy cheap Styrofoam cooler to the prePax to-do list. and ice.

ptriz21_teamkill

^^^
Yes we are bringing a cooler instead. Should only have to add ice once a day to keep it cold.

tsrblke

savagehart wrote:

skettios wrote:

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

I called and asked
$70 to empty the mini bar fridge
$35/night to rent a mini fridge

note to self:: add buy cheap Styrofoam cooler to the prePax to-do list. and ice.

Is that the sheraton or the Hyatt?

Moe Fwacky

skettios wrote:

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

I called and asked
$70 to empty the mini bar fridge
$35/night to rent a mini fridge

Wow, they must have changed their policies since I last stayed there. That's unfortunate.

Decius

savagehart wrote:

skettios wrote:

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

I called and asked
$70 to empty the mini bar fridge
$35/night to rent a mini fridge

note to self:: add buy cheap Styrofoam cooler to the prePax to-do list. and ice.

Good idea, but use those gel ice packs instead. Ice...may not end well.

ptriz21_teamkill

Decius wrote:

savagehart wrote:

skettios wrote:

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

I called and asked
$70 to empty the mini bar fridge
$35/night to rent a mini fridge

note to self:: add buy cheap Styrofoam cooler to the prePax to-do list. and ice.

Good idea, but use those gel ice packs instead. Ice...may not end well.

But how will you refreeze them without access to a freezer?

savagehart

ptriz21_teamkill wrote:

Decius wrote:

savagehart wrote:

skettios wrote:

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

I called and asked
$70 to empty the mini bar fridge
$35/night to rent a mini fridge

note to self:: add buy cheap Styrofoam cooler to the prePax to-do list. and ice.

Good idea, but use those gel ice packs instead. Ice...may not end well.

But how will you refreeze them without access to a freezer?

That's the flaw in the plan I noticed as well. It's a moot point as it turns out (OK, I just forgot we had one) we have a collapsible soft sided cooler that is pretty (sometimes too much) water tight. So I'm bringing that.

skettios

tsrblke wrote:

savagehart wrote:

skettios wrote:

Moe Fwacky wrote:

Mini-bar does not equal fridge. Mini-bars are electronically controlled. So while, yes, it does have a refrigeration unit, if you remove the items in there to put your own items inside, it will automatically charge your room for the items removed. You MIGHT be able to call down and ask for a mini-fridge to be sent up, but I don't know that they do that. The Grand Hyatt will do that. But, the Sheraton is a bit more low-end than the Grand Hyatt. In my experience, the Shearton plays off the fact that they are convention center adjacent. So, their rooms are smaller, and their service isn't as good.

I called and asked
$70 to empty the mini bar fridge
$35/night to rent a mini fridge

note to self:: add buy cheap Styrofoam cooler to the prePax to-do list. and ice.

Is that the sheraton or the Hyatt?

That was for the Sheraton

PikaPuff

i'm not freaking out here, but I just called homewood suites to confirm my reservation and they told me I'm reserved for saturday to monday when I reserved for thursday-monday. they said to call the booking company. they're closed for today.
any uh, advice or info?

(i'm freaking out)

edit- i have received advice to continue freaking out all night then calm down and call them when they open up tomorrow and they should fix it

edit2- issue resolved. sad i nothing to freak out about anymore. well except that pax is so soon. so soon! *freaks out*

zerzhul

PikaPuff wrote:

i'm not freaking out here, but I just called homewood suites to confirm my reservation and they told me I'm reserved for saturday to monday when I reserved for thursday-monday. they said to call the booking company. they're closed for today.
any uh, advice or info?
(i'm freaking out)

Call OnPeak (if you reserved through OnPeak) with your OnPeak confirmation handy.

tsrblke

FWIW, I called they Hyatt about a fridge and parking (with the 520 closed, our Host for the begining of the week became our hotel room floor guest for PAX, go figure).
It's only a measly $5 for a fridge at they Hyatt, totally worth it, as we're hitting up a grocery store the night before to grab some lunchmeat and snacks to avoid leaving the expo hall .
Parking is apparently $34 for Valet (with in/out privledges).