Onpeak [hotels] for 2015 are LIVE!

Streetlight345

I thought the Westin had become a mythical unicorn but after 3 years I have got a res again

Trandescent

Trying to keep expenses down this year so staying at the Doubletree by Hilton Downtown Boston.. Stayed at the Boston Renissance last year, would definitely recommend.

LoonyEclipse

mindflare77 wrote: »

LoonyEclipse wrote: »

Axon wrote: »

Had Thurs - Sun in my cart at seaport, but it was gone before I could finish. It kept giving me some bullstuff about my phone number. Siiiigh. Anyway got the renaissance which I hear is dope

I've stayed there. It's very dope.

It most certainly is. I was there last year and loved it. Lucked out and got it again this year. I also found that their... I don't even know what her title was, but she basically gave a friend and I a verbal tour of Boston/where to go for food/drinks, made reservations for us, etc. In any case, she was absurdly helpful as well. It's the little things.

concierge is the usual term.

I stayed there the first year it was at the bigger con centre. We quite liked it. The staff there was EXCELLENT.

This year, I decided to give the mythical 'Seaport' a shot.

ClannMorgan

With all of the craziness of getting bumped out of the final confirmation I was able to go back through and ended up with the Renaissance, single bed for thrus-sunday. like everyone I would prefer the Weston...so if you can't keep a Weston reservation or would prefer the Renaissance, I'd be all over a swap. I know there is a room share thread...but has there ever been one for reservation swaps?

TheGoldenTriforce

I am staying at the Westin Copley Place. Is that bad or good? I know it is 3 miles away, so I will most likely take the shuttle, taxis, or the T to get to the con center.

havok978

TabooPhantasy wrote: »

The hotels weren't as rough to book this year compared to last year, but I wish there was a way to implement a system to "hold" your room for 5 minutes while you put your credit card info in (like they do with concert tickets). It is quite frustrating to get everything entered just to get the error message because it sold out from under you. Alas! Perhaps next year.

Indeed. At least the link didn't leak like 2-3 hours early and the Seaport and Westin were practically gone by the time things went official. But yeah, I know what you mean. I had Thurs at the Westin sell out by the time I clicked finish.

OfficeZombie

I was hoping for the Intercontinental again, but they were sold out for Friday

I ended up with the Hilton Fanueil Hall, which is okay as that's where I want to be for food/nightlife anyways.

rascrush

for people who got the omni sign up for the rewards program and you get free wifi

LedaXI

I managed to get 2 double occupancy one bed rooms at the Seaport, but I have a question. There are three other people coming with me, two per room. The problem is that all of them are guys and I'm sure no amount of begging would get them to sleep in the same bed together, so is it possible for me to call the hotel and get the double occupancy one bed changed to a two bed?

zerzhul

LedaXI wrote: »

I managed to get 2 double occupancy one bed rooms at the Seaport, but I have a question. There are three other people coming with me, two per room. The problem is that all of them are guys and I'm sure no amount of begging would get them to sleep in the same bed together, so is it possible for me to call the hotel and get the double occupancy one bed changed to a two bed?

Unlikely, but possible. You'd have to do this after the reservations got transferred to the hotel though. I mean you could try to call OnPeak and get them to change it, but they'll probably just tell you it's sold out (if it's sold out).

rascrush

Lol tell them they can share or there is always floor haha

pilferk

PurpleBek wrote: »

I managed to get the Seaport, I've never been able to get one of the close three before, so I am super excited for that. I've heard good things about the Seaport.

We stayed there last year, and it was our preference this year. With the room refurb they did in 2013/early 2014....wow! And it's a great hotel, with some really nice amenities (the lounge and coffee shop are both excellent!) to it..and it's basically a very short walk to the BCEC. It's also closer to the night life (there's 3 or 4 really good bars basically right across the street), which we appreciated.

It'll be interesting, though, considering this Pax is in early March, instead of mid April. We'll see how nice the weather plays with Pax. Last year, it was in the 60's and 70's..and walking the city was a pleasant experience. This year, I'd expect more like 30's and 40's (top end)....and the potential for snow is real.

pilferk

LedaXI wrote: »

I managed to get 2 double occupancy one bed rooms at the Seaport, but I have a question. There are three other people coming with me, two per room. The problem is that all of them are guys and I'm sure no amount of begging would get them to sleep in the same bed together, so is it possible for me to call the hotel and get the double occupancy one bed changed to a two bed?

There is enough floor space for a sleeping bag (and twin air mattress, if they want) in those rooms. My wife and I got one last year (and again this year).

The beds are also big...

flimpage

Any hotels within reasonalbe walking distance other than Westin?

revengeanceful

Snagged a one bed room at the Seaport for Fri-Sun, so my plans are now fully set! :biggrin: My two compatriots and I made these accomodations work last year, so it should be fine again this year.

cardkid123

flimpage wrote: »

Any hotels within reasonalbe walking distance other than Westin?

The Renaissance and the seaport are both equally the 2nd closest. Few minute walk.

klz

Got the Ren again (Missed the Seaport, but at least got one of the big three). Seaport was more preferable. The Ren is a very nice hotel, but parking being across the street and having to walk outside to get to it is annoying when you have to unpack and repack the car. It'll suck more with the colder weather, I suspect.

InfiniteNuLL

Got mine at Logan for Mar 5-9. Right by the airport and I can just take the train to the event itself. Some of my friends from FF14 also managed to get into Logan so it's going to be a rocking good time! I can't wait.

PurpleBek

pilferk wrote: »

It'll be interesting, though, considering this Pax is in early March, instead of mid April. We'll see how nice the weather plays with Pax. Last year, it was in the 60's and 70's..and walking the city was a pleasant experience. This year, I'd expect more like 30's and 40's (top end)....and the potential for snow is real.

I live in England so I am used to crap weather :P

gigabrain

flimpage wrote: »

Any hotels within reasonalbe walking distance other than Westin?

The Intercontinental isn't a horrible walk. It's about the same distance that you'd walk if you got off the train at South Station and went down Summer St., 5-10 minutes. Alternatively you can walk from the hotel along the Waterfront to the awesome restaurants there.

monkosh

For people looking for cheaper hotel, you should try priceline or hotwire. They have cheaper hotel in same location as the official ones in Downtown, Beacon Hill, West End, and other close location. Some of them may be actually official PAX hotel cost up to $100 less a night. You can see what hotel you expect to get by using betterbidding to see what hotel you are going to get. I got a room at The Revere hotel, an official PAX hotel, for $106 a night on priceline where it was $209 a night through onpeak. That one no longer available but there are others. Good luck.

craiola

LedaXI wrote: »

I managed to get 2 double occupancy one bed rooms at the Seaport, but I have a question. There are three other people coming with me, two per room. The problem is that all of them are guys and I'm sure no amount of begging would get them to sleep in the same bed together, so is it possible for me to call the hotel and get the double occupancy one bed changed to a two bed?

I was able to do this last year. I made the same mistake as you choosing one bed instead of 2 at the Westin. While I was able to do so, not everyone else was. It really depends on the person you're speaking to on the phone. But you have to wait until the reservations are moved over.

Worst case scenario, bring an air mattress or some sleeping bags?

stardust462

LedaXI wrote: »

I managed to get 2 double occupancy one bed rooms at the Seaport, but I have a question. There are three other people coming with me, two per room. The problem is that all of them are guys and I'm sure no amount of begging would get them to sleep in the same bed together, so is it possible for me to call the hotel and get the double occupancy one bed changed to a two bed?

Since you'll have one bed, you can make a request for a rollaway bed. When the reservation transfers over you can call the hotel to make that request.

pilferk

PurpleBek wrote: »

pilferk wrote: »

It'll be interesting, though, considering this Pax is in early March, instead of mid April. We'll see how nice the weather plays with Pax. Last year, it was in the 60's and 70's..and walking the city was a pleasant experience. This year, I'd expect more like 30's and 40's (top end)....and the potential for snow is real.

I live in England so I am used to crap weather :P

Yeah, I live in NW Connecticut, so Boston's weather is basically my weather. No stranger to the cold...and as long as there isn't active (or VERY recent) snow, it should be fine.

But, if there is.....the slush quotient will likely be high, which is no fun to deal with on city sidewalks. Neither is having wet feet all day.

My suggestion to many is: bring extra socks and maybe an extra pair of slip on shoes...just in case.

LedaXI

I will certainly try to get the reservation changed. Approximately how many weeks before PAX do the reservations move over? If that doesn't work, we do have a cot we can bring along.

InfiniteNuLL

I've never really made reservations for a hotel before so when it gives you the reservation fee, is that on top of the fee per night or is that taken away from one of the nights?

zerzhul

LedaXI wrote: »

I will certainly try to get the reservation changed. Approximately how many weeks before PAX do the reservations move over? If that doesn't work, we do have a cot we can bring along.

1-2 usually.

ClannMorgan

InfiniteNuLL wrote: »

I've never really made reservations for a hotel before so when it gives you the reservation fee, is that on top of the fee per night or is that taken away from one of the nights?

There is a per night fee + taxes + other charges, when you make a reservation all of the charges/fees should be listed out prior to you putting in your cc info.

LoonyEclipse

InfiniteNuLL wrote: »

I've never really made reservations for a hotel before so when it gives you the reservation fee, is that on top of the fee per night or is that taken away from one of the nights?

The reservation fee is not in addition to the room rates.

It's usually equivalent to a single night in the hotel in the room your booked- if you no show for your room without (I think) 24 hours notice, they charge that amount to your card and open the room up for a random to book/use.

It's basically a deposit.

Domino

I was not able to get the Westin this year like I did two years ago, I was panicking too much about the tickets

I did get the Wyndham though; which I'm curious about since it's one of the few that sold out extremely fast. Why the popularity? It's not necessarily the cheapest hotel, though relatively it is, and other ones have better locations to food and whatnot.

Triiipledot

Got a room at the Hyatt Regency 3rd year in a row. If anyone is gonna cancel their reservation there please PM me! Friends are still trying to book a room there and its full.

bz_sleeper

PurpleBek wrote: »

pilferk wrote: »

It'll be interesting, though, considering this Pax is in early March, instead of mid April. We'll see how nice the weather plays with Pax. Last year, it was in the 60's and 70's..and walking the city was a pleasant experience. This year, I'd expect more like 30's and 40's (top end)....and the potential for snow is real.

I live in England so I am used to crap weather :P

Yeah, but that's like rain. Imagine the narrow streets of London with 5 foot high snow mounds, 1 lane roads, and no parking spaces due to the Noreaster that just passed through the week before. March is literally a battlefield between Winter and Spring here. We may get 15 inches of snow or 55 degrees that weekend, or both. When I saw early March I was like god I hope we're lucky with the coin flip.

upstateny-dan

Still had my reservation at the Omni I made in april :-) Had to get a suite. I did reserve a single bed double occupancy which I may end up transferring if one of my friends doesn't come. I loved the location better than by PAX. Hers hoping for no snow in March! I definitely second signing up for their rewards program for the free Wi-Fi

shepd

PurpleBek wrote: »

I live in England so I am used to crap weather :P

Having seen many people from the UK believe that and then come to Ontario, and having spent several winters and summers in the UK, let me assure you (nicely!) that the UK has very mild weather. It ranges from cool and clammy to almost warm and close. Over here (Southern Ontario has similar weather to Massachusetts) it ranges from "Skin freezes in minutes, death from exposure in under an hour" to "Horrible sunburn in minutes" (have to go further south for death from heat exposure). No, I'm not kidding, many homeless here die each winter due to the weather, sadly.

Bring the heaviest jacket that you own with you. If it doesn't feel like "too much" you'll want to buy one (Probably should just buy one when you arrive, clothes are cheap in the US). Gloves and a toque are a great idea. Considering I'm seeing snow that sticks around already here, you can thank me later--this season will bring a lot of snow. Also consider bringing a light jacket just in case I'm wrong, because in March it can be almost warm on the good days.

Shoes that don't leak are a good idea too, although I expect someone from the UK knows this. :P

Korvas

To all those who give up to easily, please remember this for next year, Don't!

this is the 2nd year I got the westin hours after it went live from not giving up. Last year I got the seaport cause I missed the heads up almost completely and was like 4 hours late to the party, not to mention my work schedule did not favor pax. Do not give up and get bitter, ride it out and you will be successful. I didn't get my confirmation e-mail until 4:30 2 beds (first year for 2 beds actually, I'm pretty excited) missed getting the 3 day but I won't give up on that either, just like last year, and I know I will get them for face value.

So moral of the story, I'm wicked excited, and never give up! I love pax!!!

Bunta_Fujiwara

Does anyone know how they are with "Single Occupancy" bringing another person to the room at Westin? I was in such a flurry just getting the room I didn't think about it. It's just going to be me and my friend.

Korvas

Bunta_Fujiwara wrote: »

Does anyone know how they are with "Single Occupancy" bringing another person to the room at Westin? I was in such a flurry just getting the room I didn't think about it. It's just going to be me and my friend.

you should be fine... I usually have 3 others with me, and that's what we stayed in the first year... as long as you or the other person don't mind sleeping on the floor, you could always rotate too to be fair.

TheAggroCraig

Bunta_Fujiwara wrote: »

Does anyone know how they are with "Single Occupancy" bringing another person to the room at Westin? I was in such a flurry just getting the room I didn't think about it. It's just going to be me and my friend.

The rates for single/double occupancy are the same, it's only when you hit 3 or 4 people where they charge you more/night. Plus the room caps have to do with fire code and whatnot, but you'll have zero issues with 2 people for your situation.

Bunta_Fujiwara

Thanks both above!

imnotalawyer

TheGoldenTriforce wrote: »

I am staying at the Westin Copley Place. Is that bad or good? I know it is 3 miles away, so I will most likely take the shuttle, taxis, or the T to get to the con center.

I stayed there for non-PAX reasons a year ago. The hotel is very nice and the area is as well. As you have already noted it is far away though.