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PAX East 2014 Hotel Discussion Thread

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Posts

  • TheAggroCraigTheAggroCraig Ultimate Lucky Douchebag MassachusettsRegistered User regular
    So I have a bit of an oddball question:

    My friend is active in the military and I put his name on the room for the hotel since he'll be staying with me for PAX. Does anybody know if you can use a military discount on top of the PAX rate? It's honestly not a big deal, more or less just curiosity, because saving money is good.

  • mgriff3456mgriff3456 Registered User regular
    Last year I remember Onpeak had a thing where you were able to view a chart of all the hotels and it told you how many rooms the hotel has for certain days. It kinda looked like an Excel spreadsheet. Anyway it was really helpful and it helped me book a last minute Westin room last year. However this year I can't seem to find it. Am I just overlooking it or did they get rid of it?

  • TheAggroCraigTheAggroCraig Ultimate Lucky Douchebag MassachusettsRegistered User regular
    mgriff3456 wrote: »
    Last year I remember Onpeak had a thing where you were able to view a chart of all the hotels and it told you how many rooms the hotel has for certain days. It kinda looked like an Excel spreadsheet. Anyway it was really helpful and it helped me book a last minute Westin room last year. However this year I can't seem to find it. Am I just overlooking it or did they get rid of it?

    You have to search for rooms (so enter in the date/whatever), and then at the top there should be a tab that shows Hotel Availabilty By Night. I'm stalking it myself, hoping for a Thursday night to pop up in the Westin :/

  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    So I have a bit of an oddball question:

    My friend is active in the military and I put his name on the room for the hotel since he'll be staying with me for PAX. Does anybody know if you can use a military discount on top of the PAX rate? It's honestly not a big deal, more or less just curiosity, because saving money is good.
    I doubt it. You can always try when you check in though.

  • mgriff3456mgriff3456 Registered User regular
    Oh duh thanks! Don't know how I missed that.

  • the_fuzzy_penguinthe_fuzzy_penguin OhioRegistered User regular
    edited October 2013
    If you do a search and then click the 'Hotel Availability by Night' tab at the top you'll see what I think you're looking for.

    On a side note, this is the first time I've noticed it, and I find it strange that the Seaport and Westin are both listed as 'Closed' for every day rather than 'Unavailable' as most of the others showing 0 do. It makes me think more rooms are available but they're being saved for some reason (Enforcers once they apply/are accepted maybe?).

    *edit - fast posted*

    the_fuzzy_penguin on
  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    mgriff3456 wrote: »
    Last year I remember Onpeak had a thing where you were able to view a chart of all the hotels and it told you how many rooms the hotel has for certain days. It kinda looked like an Excel spreadsheet. Anyway it was really helpful and it helped me book a last minute Westin room last year. However this year I can't seem to find it. Am I just overlooking it or did they get rid of it?
    You're overlooking it. Do a hotel search, then after you do a search there is a tab at the top called "hotel availability by night."

  • cardkid123cardkid123 Registered User regular
    I was thinking of stalking the site. Is it worth it to spend time looking for a westin room if I already have 2 rooms at the renaissance? I need 2 rooms, is it likely or worth it to find that at the westin?

  • the_fuzzy_penguinthe_fuzzy_penguin OhioRegistered User regular
    I'm sure they'll open up, but I doubt you'll see two open up at the same time. Chances are if you get lucky enough to see one go up you'll have to book one room, wait a day/week/month for another to open up, book it then, and then cancel your Ren reservation. It's just up to you as to whether the hours you'll spend trying to find a room there is worth it when you're only a 5 minute walk away as is.

  • cardkid123cardkid123 Registered User regular
    I'm sure they'll open up, but I doubt you'll see two open up at the same time. Chances are if you get lucky enough to see one go up you'll have to book one room, wait a day/week/month for another to open up, book it then, and then cancel your Ren reservation. It's just up to you as to whether the hours you'll spend trying to find a room there is worth it when you're only a 5 minute walk away as is.

    Ya your right. I just saw some people saying how they got a renaissance room but are going to look for a westin. I guess it's probably easier for them because they are only getting 1 room.

  • DelaneyDelaney Registered User regular
    General opinion question, with a little background: Last year I found a place in South Boston to stay, within walking distance of the BCEC. It worked out okay, but after having attended PAX now, I do feel like I missed out on some of the fun that can come from staying in the same place as other attendees. If nothing else, just being immersed in the general atmosphere would be a plus - riding the shuttles would be more opportunity to talk to people and such.

    And so... I have OnPeak reservations, though nowhere special. I am fairly confident I could again find other accommodations that would save me a minimum of $50/night. The only practical downside might be not having access to the shuttles and having to rely a little more on cabs/Uber/etc. But I'd miss out again. For those who stay at the official hotels, do you find that it adds to the experience?

    "I will participate in the game. It's a wonderful, wonderful opera, except that it hurts." - Joseph Campbell

    Steam: delaney_a

  • the_fuzzy_penguinthe_fuzzy_penguin OhioRegistered User regular
    The two years I've gone the hotel is just a place to sleep. Staying at the Westin sure had a better buzz about it and was much more convenient than where we stayed in 2011, but my group has always tried to stay at the BCEC as long as we could and after that we mainly went back to our room, chilled out a bit, and went to sleep. Then again, we always in line 1-2 hours beforehand as well, so had a couple extra hours around people then as well.

  • RidleyDragonRidleyDragon Registered User regular
    For the Omni Parker: I don't know if they'll let you apply this, but if you are a member of the select guest rewards program (which is free) you do get the WiFi for free.

    There's no way of knowing until March when they release the rooms to the hotels, but it's worth a shot.

    Also I just learned that the Omni Parker House is where JFK announced his run for presidency, is where Boston Creme Pies were invented, and is also Haunted!

    PW0oFIs.png
  • rascrushrascrush Registered User regular
    I have to say I am very excited about staying there now and maybe will have to do some evp work maybe will get lucky and get a room on the 10th floor which seems like the most active. As far as the guest rewards program they signed me up for it and they said as long as I call a few weeks before we check in that it should not be a issue getting it. Just wondering anyone who has stayed at the omni parker have you ever had any experinces perinormal I mean.

    also how big are the rooms there like would it be snug with 4-6 people in a quad room

  • AnnaRoyalAnnaRoyal North CarolinaRegistered User regular
    I was kinda sad that the westin wouldn't let me get a room there for the 10th - 14th. So we got the langham hotel for a tots of $1333.11. And plane tickets on Jetblue nonstop from NC for two people was only under 500 bucks. I am just so excited, but I hope to spend less money on food and more money on items at PAXE.

    I love Tacos.
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  • GhostDanGhostDan Registered User regular
    Seems that no matter my level of planning my group always gets the shaft with hotel selection. I'd kill for a spot at the Westin or Seaport but every year we wind up at one of the priciest and furthest hotels. No matter our level of planning and preparation it feels like the 3 closest hotels are booked before they're even available.

    Westin and Seaport hotels fill up with exhibitors and E's before they are released to the public, so there's a very limited amount of rooms there when they open up for us. You literally have to be camping out on the site.

  • RidleyDragonRidleyDragon Registered User regular
    GhostDan wrote: »
    Seems that no matter my level of planning my group always gets the shaft with hotel selection. I'd kill for a spot at the Westin or Seaport but every year we wind up at one of the priciest and furthest hotels. No matter our level of planning and preparation it feels like the 3 closest hotels are booked before they're even available.

    Westin and Seaport hotels fill up with exhibitors and E's before they are released to the public, so there's a very limited amount of rooms there when they open up for us. You literally have to be camping out on the site.

    As somebody who did this, the website totally failing this year made that not matter, it was pure luck.

    PW0oFIs.png
    00Fayt00Onmitsu
  • xBanzai89xBanzai89 Registered User regular
    For the Omni Parker: I don't know if they'll let you apply this, but if you are a member of the select guest rewards program (which is free) you do get the WiFi for free.

    There's no way of knowing until March when they release the rooms to the hotels, but it's worth a shot.

    Also I just learned that the Omni Parker House is where JFK announced his run for presidency, is where Boston Creme Pies were invented, and is also Haunted!

    Thank you for that tidbit. I know now to never stay there.
    GhostDan wrote: »
    Seems that no matter my level of planning my group always gets the shaft with hotel selection. I'd kill for a spot at the Westin or Seaport but every year we wind up at one of the priciest and furthest hotels. No matter our level of planning and preparation it feels like the 3 closest hotels are booked before they're even available.

    Westin and Seaport hotels fill up with exhibitors and E's before they are released to the public, so there's a very limited amount of rooms there when they open up for us. You literally have to be camping out on the site.

    I was camping the site. Actually went for the hotel prior to my pass as I never thought the three days would sell out so quick. Took me over 30 minutes, but I did get a room at the Renaissance. In my opinion that was a total fluke as camping the site didn't help, I was constantly refreshing pages before it went through. Compared to last year I was able to get a room at the Seaport several hours after onpeak opened up. I guess that will never happen again, oh well.

  • VGVideoGalaxyVGVideoGalaxy Northern VirginiaRegistered User regular
    edited October 2013
    For the Omni Parker: I don't know if they'll let you apply this, but if you are a member of the select guest rewards program (which is free) you do get the WiFi for free.

    There's no way of knowing until March when they release the rooms to the hotels, but it's worth a shot.

    Also I just learned that the Omni Parker House is where JFK announced his run for presidency, is where Boston Creme Pies were invented, and is also Haunted!

    I stayed at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, so I am pretty sure I can handle the Omni if it is haunted.

    VGVideoGalaxy on
  • aBByNormaLaBByNormaL Registered User regular
    Just a note for anybody interested ... I enquired with OnPeak as to whether there was a waitlist for hotels that might come available due to cancellations and was advised that there is no waitlist so it is pretty much a luck of the draw and timing thing.

    PAX East 2016 .... gots my Passes [x] Hotel [x] Flights [x] Packed [..] .... ok we're all good !!!!!
  • MalgarasMalgaras Registered User regular
    I've seen it mentioned a couple times but haven't seen an answer. On the hotel availability chart, does anyone know the difference between unavailable and closed?

    1tLJUH2O.png
  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    Malgaras wrote: »
    I've seen it mentioned a couple times but haven't seen an answer. On the hotel availability chart, does anyone know the difference between unavailable and closed?
    I am not sure anyone knows that answer. Your best bet is to call OnPeak if you really want to know ;)

  • Certain.shade.of.greenCertain.shade.of.green Registered User regular
    If I had to make a completely unfounded guess: Closed means they have already met their overbook numbers too. Where as unavailable means they have met the bookings.

    Every hotel overbooks as cancellations are expected.

  • MalgarasMalgaras Registered User regular
    zerzhul wrote: »
    Malgaras wrote: »
    I've seen it mentioned a couple times but haven't seen an answer. On the hotel availability chart, does anyone know the difference between unavailable and closed?
    I am not sure anyone knows that answer. Your best bet is to call OnPeak if you really want to know ;)

    Guess I'll have to call this evening. I'm mainly wondering if closed means "We're done. There are no more rooms and never will be" or if it's still worth checking around for cancellations etc. to show up in the pool again.

    1tLJUH2O.png
  • GhostDanGhostDan Registered User regular
    Malgaras wrote: »
    Guess I'll have to call this evening. I'm mainly wondering if closed means "We're done. There are no more rooms and never will be" or if it's still worth checking around for cancellations etc. to show up in the pool again.

    Seaport opened up a couple on Wednesday that went from 'closed' to '2'...

  • mgriff3456mgriff3456 Registered User regular
    So I booked directly through the Seaport but I remember seeing some people say that when they did it that way they ended up getting kicked out due to overbooking. I'm just worried about that happening to us and was wondering how often it happened. Is there only a couple times that happened or has it happened often?

  • cardkid123cardkid123 Registered User regular
    I booked directly through the renaissance. I really hope I don't lose out. I'd like to know the answer to this too.

  • aBByNormaLaBByNormaL Registered User regular
    I booked directly with Seaport prior to the event ... I would be pissed if they deliberately oversold

    PAX East 2016 .... gots my Passes [x] Hotel [x] Flights [x] Packed [..] .... ok we're all good !!!!!
  • MalgarasMalgaras Registered User regular
    mgriff3456 wrote: »
    So I booked directly through the Seaport but I remember seeing some people say that when they did it that way they ended up getting kicked out due to overbooking. I'm just worried about that happening to us and was wondering how often it happened. Is there only a couple times that happened or has it happened often?

    As someone who booked directly through the Westin last year after missing out with onpeak, I feel like I've heard much more about the possibility of being bumped then people who it's actually happened to. It seems pretty rare.

    You could always keep an eye out on onpeak anyways and switch (assuming you booked at a refundable rate) if anything opens up.

    95% of the time you will be fine. Worst case scenario: you never see anything from onpeak, and you get bumped by the seaport. What have you really lost? It's not like they throw you out on the street. You just be at a hotel that's farther away, which would have happened anyways because you couldn't get the seaport at all through onpeak.

    1tLJUH2O.png
  • mgriff3456mgriff3456 Registered User regular
    Yea I'm gunna be watching onpeak like a hawk for an opening in one of the big 3 but if not will probably just stick with my Seaport reservation.

  • HalfazedninjaHalfazedninja Author of Jake Howard: Multiverse 101! Behind YouRegistered User regular
    For the Omni Parker: I don't know if they'll let you apply this, but if you are a member of the select guest rewards program (which is free) you do get the WiFi for free.

    There's no way of knowing until March when they release the rooms to the hotels, but it's worth a shot.

    Also I just learned that the Omni Parker House is where JFK announced his run for presidency, is where Boston Creme Pies were invented, and is also Haunted!

    Um, I don't want to stay in a haunted hotel. Where did you hear/read that?

    Maybe the ghosts would want to play Zombie Dice?

    My debut novel, JAKE HOWARD: MULTIVERSE 101!
    Switch FC: SW-7588-7027-0113, Steam/PSN: Halfazedninja

  • DelaneyDelaney Registered User regular
    Um, I don't want to stay in a haunted hotel. Where did you hear/read that?

    Maybe the ghosts would want to play Zombie Dice?

    Omni actually uses it as a marketing ploy now, though they are careful to say there haven't been any sightings in decades.

    http://www.omnihotels.com/Exclusiveoffers/HauntedTravelsParkerHouse.aspx

    "I will participate in the game. It's a wonderful, wonderful opera, except that it hurts." - Joseph Campbell

    Steam: delaney_a

  • msuroomsuroo Registered User regular
    edited October 2013
    Getting walked by a hotel is definitely not the worst thing in the world. They pay for your room at the replacement hotel, and in some instances (especially if you have loyalty status with the brand), overcompensate with gift certificates and/or points.

    Edit: it would be nice if they could do it like airlines, and solicit volunteers, but given the staggered check-in times at hotels, I'm not sure how well that would work, since they often don't know if they need to walk anyone until the end of the night anyway.

    msuroo on
  • HalfazedninjaHalfazedninja Author of Jake Howard: Multiverse 101! Behind YouRegistered User regular
    Delaney wrote: »
    Um, I don't want to stay in a haunted hotel. Where did you hear/read that?

    Maybe the ghosts would want to play Zombie Dice?

    Omni actually uses it as a marketing ploy now, though they are careful to say there haven't been any sightings in decades.

    http://www.omnihotels.com/Exclusiveoffers/HauntedTravelsParkerHouse.aspx

    With my luck, the ghosts will come back while I'm there.

    My debut novel, JAKE HOWARD: MULTIVERSE 101!
    Switch FC: SW-7588-7027-0113, Steam/PSN: Halfazedninja

  • TemigTemig East [E] North Shore - MARegistered User regular
    Delaney wrote: »
    Um, I don't want to stay in a haunted hotel. Where did you hear/read that?

    Maybe the ghosts would want to play Zombie Dice?

    Omni actually uses it as a marketing ploy now, though they are careful to say there haven't been any sightings in decades.

    http://www.omnihotels.com/Exclusiveoffers/HauntedTravelsParkerHouse.aspx

    With my luck, the ghosts will come back while I'm there.

    From the sound of it, just make sure you're not on the 10th floor ;)

    JQ1qRPt.png
    Halfazedninja
  • rascrushrascrush Registered User regular
    lol is it kinda crazy that I want to be on the 10th floor I think that would be fun.

  • MalgarasMalgaras Registered User regular
    Delaney wrote: »
    Um, I don't want to stay in a haunted hotel. Where did you hear/read that?

    Maybe the ghosts would want to play Zombie Dice?

    Omni actually uses it as a marketing ploy now, though they are careful to say there haven't been any sightings in decades.

    http://www.omnihotels.com/Exclusiveoffers/HauntedTravelsParkerHouse.aspx

    With my luck, the ghosts will come back while I'm there.

    It's probably fine. Just bring your vacuum cleaner.

    1tLJUH2O.png
    BearTheHuman
  • imnotalawyerimnotalawyer Registered User regular
    So I got completely screwed over by the OnPeak debacle. I have been more or less checking onpeak for openings hourly since Tuesday... does anyone have a better strategy?

    I remember the first year I attended PAX (2011 maybe?) I was sort of oblivious and heard through an enforcer in January that rooms had opened up at the Westin. I loved my experience there and was hoping to repeat it. The folks at OnPeak told me that they will not release their "hold" on the rooms until a week before the event... and I imagine that something may open up but I don't know if I will be penalized for canceling my current reservation. I know everyone at PAX tried very hard to make this painless but this has just been a nightmare to deal with.

    faPgNTD
  • JamersJamers Registered User regular
    I stayed at Seaport my last PAX (2011) and was trying for it again this year, but after the cluster you-know-what that was onPeak hotel registration the other day I got a room at the Doubletree downtown. Since I haven't seen many other people who are staying there I thought I'd ask who else is staying there, as well as what experience people who have stayed there in the past have had.

  • Structural MechanicStructural Mechanic Tennessee, USARegistered User new member
    We've been at the Double Tree Bay side for all of out Pax goings till now, but the Park Plazza was cheaper and closer and I was curious if I've made a mistake. Anyone that's stayed at the Park Plazza lately enough to review it? Thanks.

This discussion has been closed.