[East] Hotel Discussion Thread *Westin Waterfront & Seaport are SOLD OUT*

Exodus1

zerzhul wrote:

Spoiler:

Individual results may vary, but you're likely better off being as honest as possible up front to avoid any potential issues. While it makes sense to try to save money however you can, there are fire code laws to be aware of in addition to extra occupancy costs and if something bad were to happen (read: emergency) you could theoretically be held liable if you knowingly broke hotel policy and violated codes.

Agreed, I didn't mean to advocate lying to the hotel, only that if you goof when you book, the hotels seem willing to accommodate if you explain the situation.

Angrypasta

zerzhul wrote:

Individual results may vary, but you're likely better off being as honest as possible up front to avoid any potential issues. While it makes sense to try to save money however you can, there are fire code laws to be aware of in addition to extra occupancy costs and if something bad were to happen (read: emergency) you could theoretically be held liable if you knowingly broke hotel policy and violated codes.

Quoting this to save my ass. I do not condone room-stuffing

zepherin

Angrypasta wrote:

zerzhul wrote:

Individual results may vary, but you're likely better off being as honest as possible up front to avoid any potential issues. While it makes sense to try to save money however you can, there are fire code laws to be aware of in addition to extra occupancy costs and if something bad were to happen (read: emergency) you could theoretically be held liable if you knowingly broke hotel policy and violated codes.

Quoting this to save my ass. I do not condone room-stuffing

There are codes and the whatnot, but what you really need to be aware of. Is 8 people in a room can be loud. If your loud your neighbor will complain. If a few of your neighbors complain management will kick you out and you'll be out of a hotel, and your money because you broke policy. Generally pax people are cool, but this can happen.

Frugus

Westin Booked!

zerzhul

For those who have issues
OnPeak's contact info is as follows:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT, Monday - Friday

Phone
(866) 220 9473 US Toll-free
(312) 527 7300 Int'l
(312) 329 9513 Fax

Email
pax@onpeakevents.com

Axon

Does the westin have underground parking like seaport does?

zerzhul

Axon wrote:

Does the westin have underground parking like seaport does?

Yes it does. If memory serves, it was $35/day on my hotel bill.

Axon

zerzhul wrote:

Axon wrote:

Does the westin have underground parking like seaport does?

Yes it does. If memory serves, it was $35/day on my hotel bill.

Sounds 'bout the same. Thanks!

Frugus

Axon wrote:

zerzhul wrote:

Axon wrote:

Does the westin have underground parking like seaport does?

Yes it does. If memory serves, it was $35/day on my hotel bill.

Sounds 'bout the same. Thanks!

Indeed most hotels charge between 35$ to 40$ per night on Valet parking. You can sometimes manage your way into getting a deal but that's usually easier when the hotel is not at it's busiest.

You may also want to check out the option of parking the car at the BCEC itself. If memory serves, it was something like 10$ a day for self serve and 20$ a day for Valet service. Also (again from memory) you could leave your card there for the weekend for 30$.

SpicyMeats

Seaport for me, have to save a little cash, coming out from Victoria and going to new york first, just dropped $500 on theater tickets.

BostonPoke

Axon wrote:

Does the westin have underground parking like seaport does?

Yes. It is actually left over from a pre-existing building which we re-used in the new hotel's design. Saved a lot of money and construction waste. What, too much info?

TabooPhantasy

Is this also the thread to ask for a space in a room? I would like to stay at the Westin (Seaport as a secondary choice) with someone(s). I will be coming by train on Thursday and will definitely be staying Saturday & Sunday night. If finances permit, I'd like to stay Sunday night, but do not yet know if that is possible.
I don't smoke, I don't take super long showers, and I'm pretty sure I don't snore.

Ricin

TabooPhantasy wrote:

Is this also the thread to ask for a space in a room? I would like to stay at the Westin (Seaport as a secondary choice) with someone(s).

You might want to book a westin room while they are still available. then start your own post in the eventual room share thread.

slamonella

TabooPhantasy wrote:

Is this also the thread to ask for a space in a room?

Nope. That thread is here: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/150211/east-pax-roomshare-thread

Onmitsu

Booked at the Westin. I was at the Westin last year and the convenience is incredible. Now, I'll be up-front, the staff was pretty lousy. I worked front desk at a 4 star hotel and I know snooty hotel staff when I see it, but it was worth putting up with, if not worth tipping. The other perk is that most of the big guests and names stay at the westin. I ran into Tycho as we were both heading back to the westin on the first night, and we ended up having an awesome conversation about books we like.

MagnifiedX

Booked at the Westin, for when I need a 20 minute power nap because there is no such thing as a full night's rest at PAX when Enforcing

macrogeek

Booked at the Westin Thurs-Mon.
It was very nice last year, and being able to dump swag & coats in the room and being connected was nice.
There are not a lot of food options nearby, but there is a Starbucks in the lobby, and if you go to the convention ctr food court, it's open pretty late.

itzerokewl

Booked the Seaport for my buddy and I. Was a great place last year and the walk really wasn't that bad.

Lindsey Lohan

Shoot - didn't expect this to come up so quick and I don't have $200 on a card to prepay the night. How long do rooms usually last?

edit: do they make you prepay if you're using a credit card, or is that for cash customers?

Chorazin

Lindsey Lohan wrote:

Shoot - didn't expect this to come up so quick and I don't have $200 on a card to prepay the night. How long do rooms usually last?

edit: do they make you prepay if you're using a credit card, or is that for cash customers?

No, you don't have to prepay if you give them a credit card, I signed up after asking on the last page and being told they wouldn't charge me.

Spoiler:

Then checked my CC account (cuz I'm paranoid), no charges.

heels

Frugus wrote:

You may also want to check out the option of parking the car at the BCEC itself. If memory serves, it was something like 10$ a day for self serve and 20$ a day for Valet service. Also (again from memory) you could leave your card there for the weekend for 30$.

As a heads up the BCEC does not offer overnight parking, just day rates.

MasterRokku

Booked a room at the Westin again this year. Big thanks to @SewingPunzie (or I guess just Punzie here) for the link via twitter. My XP at the Westin last year was awesome. I loved being right there for the con and it made quick trips back to the room a breeze.

MasterRokku

Coming in on Wednesday, btw.

MasterRokku

Agree with MacroGeek on the food options, we had several late, late, late meals in the food court after the concerts.

Obsolete Model

I was able to reserve a room at the Westin Boston Waterfront. I did have to call however. My credit card expires before PAX so the site would not let me book online. I called my credit card company and had them issue me a new card but it would take about a week to get to me. Worried I would miss out on the hotel I wanted I called OnPeak directly and they said it was no problem. I can update my card information later when I get my new card and the reservation was confirmed. So just incase anyone is in this situation, they can help you if you call.

acumen101

macrogeek wrote:

Booked at the Westin Thurs-Mon.
It was very nice last year, and being able to dump swag & coats in the room and being connected was nice.
There are not a lot of food options nearby, but there is a Starbucks in the lobby, and if you go to the convention ctr food court, it's open pretty late.

At least I know I'll have some sort of food option, post concert...

DanUNG

macrogeek wrote:

Booked at the Westin Thurs-Mon.
It was very nice last year, and being able to dump swag & coats in the room and being connected was nice.
There are not a lot of food options nearby, but there is a Starbucks in the lobby, and if you go to the convention ctr food court, it's open pretty late.

A lot of people either didn't know or didn't want to bother, but if you crossed the small bridge leading to the Seaport and went down to the water (a 5 minute walk from the center), there's a 7-11 with cheap sandwiches and drinks right next to a Dunkin Donuts.

xenard

My friends and I booked Seaport. How long is the walk from Seaport to BCEC? It doesn't look far

edit: nevermind got it

antherem

xenard wrote:

My friends and I booked Seaport. How long is the walk from Seaport to BCEC? It doesn't look far

It's not far. 5 minute walk on a bridge. Fairly well lit and definitely well-traveled during PAX. Might be no fun in the rain though.

Emphara

My fiancé, two friends and I are staying at the Renaissance Waterfront. We're staying there because it should be a short walk and we figure that if we stay at the Renaissance (vs the Westin) we're less likely to get bumped across town like people did last year. It also looks like and sounds like a really nice hotel.

zerzhul

I think it's unlikely people will get bumped this year. I suppose it's always a possibility, but hopefully due to last year's fiasco it won't be repeated. Growing pains and all.

Stephidabefida

Woo! Booked my room at the Westin. Last year we went with some friends but we had separate rooms. We called the Westin a few days before we got there and asked if our rooms could be near each other and they were very accommodating. I think we were 3 rooms apart. Just thought I would throw that out there for anyone going with a large group that is booking multiple rooms.

dalaamprince

Was there a common variable between the people that got bumped from the Westin last year? Late checking in? I'd think calling a day or two before to confirm an approximate arrival time would secure the room for real real.

zerzhul

dalaamprince wrote:

Was there a common variable between the people that got bumped from the Westin last year? Late checking in? I'd think calling a day or two before to confirm an approximate arrival time would secure the room for real real.

No. The Westin sold OnPeak more rooms than they had available due to expecting many people to cancel. They did not understand that this doesn't really happen for PAX. One key thing is that booking through OnPeak gives some semblance of protection against this as they will try incredibly hard to prevent it from happening whereas the hotel itself may not be as diligent if you booked direct.

Edit: there was also a communication issue between The Westin and OnPeak that resulted in some people not finding out about this as soon as they should have. Considering the monster shitstorm that resulted last year, I would expect that both OnPeak and The Westin will be on top of things for this year.

xenard

antherem wrote:

xenard wrote:

My friends and I booked Seaport. How long is the walk from Seaport to BCEC? It doesn't look far

It's not far. 5 minute walk on a bridge. Fairly well lit and definitely well-traveled during PAX. Might be no fun in the rain though.

Thanks

ransim

Booked at the seaport.

Seems strange that hotel registration is up before passes have even gone on sale.

Randomfool

I'm currently registered at the Renaissance but that might change depending on where I can book with points. Last year, I managed to get into the Renaissance, about a month before PAX which was awesome.

zerzhul

ransim wrote:

Booked at the seaport.

Seems strange that hotel registration is up before passes have even gone on sale.

This is not atypical. It was this way for Prime 2011 as well.

Sammy

haven't booked yet, still conversing with my cousin who's going with me.
but its looking like the westin hopefully! Seaport as a back up, its still really close and the walk doesn't bother me.
stayed at the Renaissance last year, and was quite surprised to find it more expensive than Westin or seaport this year!

would the forums sell out the westin? I figure I have until at least next payday before they make it live on the website, and then I hold no illusions about it disappearing. lol.

ransim

zerzhul wrote:

ransim wrote:

Booked at the seaport.

Seems strange that hotel registration is up before passes have even gone on sale.

This is not atypical. It was this way for Prime 2011 as well.

I'll take your word on that, I missed out on Prime 2011 though I did go to East 2011. The hotel does tend to be the most stressful part of organizing so I'm thankful to have that out of the way.

Just need to make sure I get passes now.