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[PRIME] PAX Prime 2012 Hotel Discussion

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Posts

  • mcdermottmcdermott Registered User regular
    Really I just wanted to post a picture of Felicia Day. ;)

  • TraitoriousTraitorious Registered User regular
    TOGSolid wrote: »
    Frack. Was on the forums at work, but only until very early in the afternoon central time. My friends and I were able to get a single bed (we'll work something out) at the Hyatt, but man; we were hoping for the Sheraton again. Guess we'll have to watch the hotel availability page like hawks and hope we get lucky like we did last year and look right when a smattering of rooms were released to PAX well after registration was opened.
    Yeah, I was hoping to score the Sheraton this year too just to do something different and because it's basically the big PAX hotel with stuff going on inside.

    That's ok, I've been to the Hyatt and it's pretty swank so I ain't mad.
    Well, I did hear nothing but good things for the most part about the Hyatt last year, so it won't be all bad if we get "stuck" there instead of somehow finagling our way into the Sheraton again. It is within drunk stumbling distance as you have pointed out ;)

  • tsrblketsrblke Registered User regular
    eStalker wrote: »
    oh that's right. bumbershoot is the same weekend.

    if you are looking for a nicer room you should go straight to the hotel web page or give them a call. i was able to get a much nicer suite one year, though i wasn't able to get the pax discount.

    and thanks for the update on the time frame for the 'deposit' withdrawal. luckily i am in a position that i had the money saved and set aside for pax early this year so it's ok if they take it out now but i've spent many other years panicking, wondering if i could make the reservation without having the cash in hand.

    This is why I have at least one Credit card. I have been the victim of aweful "pre-auths" before that just hung around and tied up my money. Sometimes real credit cards are the only way to go (since Pre-auths only tie up your limit, not actual cash.)
    Heck I took a cruise for my honeymoon and they stuck a $500/passenger ($1k total) preauth on my credit card. I don't even keep that much money in my primary checking account.

  • tsrblketsrblke Registered User regular
    edited May 2012
    TOGSolid wrote: »
    Frack. Was on the forums at work, but only until very early in the afternoon central time. My friends and I were able to get a single bed (we'll work something out) at the Hyatt, but man; we were hoping for the Sheraton again. Guess we'll have to watch the hotel availability page like hawks and hope we get lucky like we did last year and look right when a smattering of rooms were released to PAX well after registration was opened.
    Yeah, I was hoping to score the Sheraton this year too just to do something different and because it's basically the big PAX hotel with stuff going on inside.

    That's ok, I've been to the Hyatt and it's pretty swank so I ain't mad.
    Well, I did hear nothing but good things for the most part about the Hyatt last year, so it won't be all bad if we get "stuck" there instead of somehow finagling our way into the Sheraton again. It is within drunk stumbling distance as you have pointed out ;)

    The Hyatt is the Shiz! There are actually events in there this year if you believe the PAX main site (which references it.) Plus for an extra $16/night there's a soaker tub (good for "con ache") and a minifridge for storing food (saving us money on lunch and lost left overs.) I heard the Sheraton got pissy about emptying or storing anything in the minibar. (There is a minibar too, it's seperate.) The minifridge costs $5 (just a flat $5 fee) but it was well worth it. I figure the wife and I saved easily $40 in lunch over the 3 day PAX (plus there were late night snacks, and we didn't have to wait in line for lunch, instead we had a relaxing 30 minutes in our room.)

    Edit: Sigh, I clearly just double posted, that means it's time to go to bed.

    tsrblke on
  • kabutodudekabutodude Registered User regular
    Does anyone know how parking works at the Sheraton? If I checkout Sunday morning, can I leave my car there until I'm ready to head home that evening? Also, their website mentions an in-room safe, is it big enough for a laptop?

  • GeeCeeGeeCee Registered User regular
    kabutodude wrote: »
    Does anyone know how parking works at the Sheraton? If I checkout Sunday morning, can I leave my car there until I'm ready to head home that evening? Also, their website mentions an in-room safe, is it big enough for a laptop?

    Yeah, but it's like $30 a day valet parking. Eff that noise.

  • kabutodudekabutodude Registered User regular
    GeeCee wrote: »
    kabutodude wrote: »
    Does anyone know how parking works at the Sheraton? If I checkout Sunday morning, can I leave my car there until I'm ready to head home that evening? Also, their website mentions an in-room safe, is it big enough for a laptop?

    Yeah, but it's like $30 a day valet parking. Eff that noise.

    Any alternatives? I'm coming down from whidbey island, which is about an hour and half from Seattle.
    I would love to avoid driving period, but logistically I'm not sure it's possible.

  • mcdermottmcdermott Registered User regular
    edited May 2012
    kabutodude wrote: »
    GeeCee wrote: »
    kabutodude wrote: »
    Does anyone know how parking works at the Sheraton? If I checkout Sunday morning, can I leave my car there until I'm ready to head home that evening? Also, their website mentions an in-room safe, is it big enough for a laptop?

    Yeah, but it's like $30 a day valet parking. Eff that noise.

    Any alternatives? I'm coming down from whidbey island, which is about an hour and half from Seattle.
    I would love to avoid driving period, but logistically I'm not sure it's possible.

    I parked at the garage across the street (next to GameWorks), I could actually see my car (parked on the roof of the garage) from my room, for....maybe $20 a day? Maybe a bit less? They have a daily rate, and it was a lot less than the Sheraton, that's all I remember. I wanna say I paid like $40, and I had parked Friday morning and left it there through Sunday evening.

    If you're looking to avoid driving period there are any number of garages in the area that run daily rates that aren't ridiculously bad, and then you can park a few blocks away and save. Sometimes even four blocks or so can make a significant different in parking cost.

    But yeah, I wouldn't do the valet thing at the Sheraton. Super-pricey.

    I don't recall the safe being big enough for any decent-sized laptop. More netbook sized. But I may be wrong.

    mcdermott on
  • Cerrato0426Cerrato0426 Registered User regular
    edited May 2012
    It has been a good 3 years at the Homewood, but unfortunately I missed it this year. Got my room at the Grand Hyatt.

    Cerrato0426 on
  • JamieODJamieOD Dublin, IrelandRegistered User regular
    Missed out on the Hyatt but was able to get a room in Hotel Max. At least I have that out of the way now.

  • mcdermottmcdermott Registered User regular
    I've heard Hotel Max isn't bad, if a bit overpriced. The sushi joint downstairs is tasty.

  • tardcoretardcore Registered User regular
    My first PAX. Got in at the Grand Hyatt. King Size bed just for me. Tahehehe

  • SimplicitySimplicity Seattle, WashingtonRegistered User regular
    tardcore wrote: »
    My first PAX. Got in at the Grand Hyatt. King Size bed just for me. Tahehehe

    You're gonna love the bathroom. Not even kidding.

  • kropotkinkropotkin Forum Badge Creator London UKRegistered User regular
    edited May 2012
    Simplicity wrote: »
    tardcore wrote: »
    My first PAX. Got in at the Grand Hyatt. King Size bed just for me. Tahehehe

    You're gonna love the bathroom. Not even kidding.

    Well yes they are rather plush, but they also act as echo chambers, which can be a tad embarrassing if you have visitors...

    Oh and despite that I'm staying there again this year.

    kropotkin on
    ryr7xy0i2ynw.png





  • RiusRius Globex CEO Nobody ever says ItalyRegistered User regular
    Does anyone have an opinion on the Red Lion?

  • RavengerRavenger Trolololo Registered User regular
    Rius wrote: »
    Does anyone have an opinion on the Red Lion?
    I stayed there one night a few years ago, I had a pleasant experience (although my spot was sleeping on the floor/chair). That was actually one of my most fun PAX nights. Ummm. I would say that it's *kind* of a walk.. when compared to some closer hotels, if you're looking to go back and forth during PAX. But the hotel itself is great!

    <@heels&gt; Ravenger: i do not talk to anyone
    <+Ravenger> you are talking to me
    <@heels&gt; oh god, what am i doing
  • ZazumZazum Registered User regular
    I'm at the Grand Hyatt. Hopefully other board game lovers will be around to play some games in the lobby.

  • tsrblketsrblke Registered User regular
    kropotkin wrote: »
    Simplicity wrote: »
    tardcore wrote: »
    My first PAX. Got in at the Grand Hyatt. King Size bed just for me. Tahehehe

    You're gonna love the bathroom. Not even kidding.

    Well yes they are rather plush, but they also act as echo chambers, which can be a tad embarrassing if you have visitors...

    Oh and despite that I'm staying there again this year.

    The best part about said bathroom is that if you're not shy (or your roomate is your spouse/partner) there's not much fighting for spacing trying to get ready in the morning with the basic hygene. That's a common problem at other hotels I find. It'll be more important this year as we picked up a straggler third friend.
    Last year the wife and I panicked (first PAX) because no one in this thread seemed to be staying at the Hyatt (I recall a poll on the thread last year.) And everyone was talking up the Sheraton. I am glad we scored said Hyatt (and it seems the tide has changed on that one.) It is a bit confusing since the site lists it as farther from PAX than the Sheraton (only technically true, and not even really that, it's closer to the main theater.) Also I was happy to see that the novelty key cards seemed to be fairly ubiquitious last year. (I'm a sucker for that novelty crap.)
    Zazum wrote: »
    I'm at the Grand Hyatt. Hopefully other board game lovers will be around to play some games in the lobby.

    I'm not gonna lie, I didn't see many people gaming in the Hyatt lobby (although I only sat down there on Sunday waiting for someone, so perhaps it was just the wrong time. I was at the concerts Saturday, and to be honest, I don't remember friday on account of first-timer shock and good wine.) It also could be the Sheraton lobby/bar is so close people just congrigate there.
    I will go wherever the crowds are, if they're closer to my room, all the better.

  • CodeMonkey76CodeMonkey76 Software Developer Orem, UTRegistered User regular
    Rius wrote: »
    Does anyone have an opinion on the Red Lion?
    Stayed there last year. Only a block away. Nice hotel. A fair bit cheaper than the Sheraton.

  • MeiteronMeiteron Registered User regular
    I'm running into an issue with Hotel Reservation right now, looking for advice.

    I'm settting up a stay for the 29th to the 3rd for some buffer days in Seattle, but I get the following error when I try to complete registration:

    You have entered an invalid date as your credit card's expiration date. The credit card expiration date must be after the meeting start date.

    I even know why. My visa card is valid through August 2012 but not into September. I'll have a new card arriving for me but by the time it's here with a newer expiration, it'll be way past the point where hotels will be available.

    What's the easiest solution? Call visa?

  • tardcoretardcore Registered User regular
    Zazum wrote: »
    I'm at the Grand Hyatt. Hopefully other board game lovers will be around to play some games in the lobby.

    I'm down!

  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    Meiteron wrote: »
    I'm running into an issue with Hotel Reservation right now, looking for advice.

    I'm settting up a stay for the 29th to the 3rd for some buffer days in Seattle, but I get the following error when I try to complete registration:

    You have entered an invalid date as your credit card's expiration date. The credit card expiration date must be after the meeting start date.

    I even know why. My visa card is valid through August 2012 but not into September. I'll have a new card arriving for me but by the time it's here with a newer expiration, it'll be way past the point where hotels will be available.

    What's the easiest solution? Call visa?

    Call OnPeak. They helped other people with this issue over the phone.

  • mcdermottmcdermott Registered User regular
    A lot of times you can just enter a later date on a CC and till go through fine.

  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    mcdermott wrote: »
    A lot of times you can just enter a later date on a CC and till go through fine.

    This is very true, as long as you change it before they actually need to charge the card.

  • ptriz21_teamkillptriz21_teamkill Registered User regular
    kabutodude wrote: »
    Does anyone know how parking works at the Sheraton? If I checkout Sunday morning, can I leave my car there until I'm ready to head home that evening? Also, their website mentions an in-room safe, is it big enough for a laptop?

    It is $30 a day, then you "should" tip the valet, and I don't believe they let you go into their garage to get anything out of your car. Or maybe they thought we wanted to drive the car out of the garage... Either way, we've always parked in the garage across the street. Same price per day, no tipping and easy access to the car.

    3DS: 3325-2059-2105
  • MeiteronMeiteron Registered User regular
    Called OnPeak and got everything sorted, thanks! Good to go for 2012 now.

  • geekyglamorousgeekyglamorous Los Angeles, CARegistered User regular
    Angrypasta wrote: »
    Booked at the Sheraton! Staying from Wednesday to Tuesday.

    First PAX Prime (East veteran), first time on the West Coast. IT'S ON.

    Same here! Super amped!

  • tsrblketsrblke Registered User regular
    zerzhul wrote: »
    mcdermott wrote: »
    A lot of times you can just enter a later date on a CC and till go through fine.

    This is very true, as long as you change it before they actually need to charge the card.

    I don't remember, but if they ask for a CCV, that may (likely? ) prevent this. The CCV is a 3 digit verificaiton based on CC number, address, and Exp. Date, if memory serves. So if they try to run it for any auth at all, it'll croak. (Granted, it's a fairly weak verification, so there's at least a chance the experation date you choose would generate the same CCV!)

  • ZazumZazum Registered User regular
    tardcore wrote: »
    Zazum wrote: »
    I'm at the Grand Hyatt. Hopefully other board game lovers will be around to play some games in the lobby.

    I'm down!

    Yes! I'm stoked!

  • PatrickKanePatrickKane I'm a doctor Registered User regular
    Anyone got any opinions on the Westin?

  • bacon_avengerbacon_avenger Defender of Pork Products Pacific NW, USARegistered User regular
    My first PAX is this one... Heck, it's my first con ever (I'm a late starter/bloomer, what can I say?).

    I managed to snag a reservation at the Hilton, but when the Sheraton opened a few more rooms, the reservation system took my attempt to grab one as a reconfirmation request of the Hilton reservation.

    For obvious reasons, I didn't want to cancel my previous reservation first, but at least I know I have a place and I might get lucky and still snag a Sheraton reservation. From what I've heard here and from friends, the Sheraton is where it's at.

    Anyone have any suggestions or comments on what my chances are of being able to do this?

    PAX Prime 2022 Checklist:[ ]Hotel [ ]Time Off [ ]Bobcats [ ]Challenge Coin [ ]Forum Badge
    eIMwu3s.png
  • mcdermottmcdermott Registered User regular
    Pretty good. I managed or last year. Harder if you want Thursday and Sunday night, though.

  • bacon_avengerbacon_avenger Defender of Pork Products Pacific NW, USARegistered User regular
    mcdermott wrote: »
    Pretty good. I managed or last year. Harder if you want Thursday and Sunday night, though.

    Yar, I'm looking at getting 8/30 to 9/3 so I don't have to rush around quite as much (it's worth the extra money IMO). I guess I will just have to keep checking the reservation system throughout the day or see if anyone else happens to cancel and is willing to let me take over the reservation.

    PAX Prime 2022 Checklist:[ ]Hotel [ ]Time Off [ ]Bobcats [ ]Challenge Coin [ ]Forum Badge
    eIMwu3s.png
  • tsrblketsrblke Registered User regular
    mcdermott wrote: »
    Pretty good. I managed or last year. Harder if you want Thursday and Sunday night, though.

    Last year people posted in this thread before dropping their rooms, so keep an eye out.
    Also, I think (I'm not sure) but I think you'll want to use the "Add" button to try and get a second reservation, then delete the first. Don't try to edit the first.

  • bacon_avengerbacon_avenger Defender of Pork Products Pacific NW, USARegistered User regular
    tsrblke wrote: »
    mcdermott wrote: »
    Pretty good. I managed or last year. Harder if you want Thursday and Sunday night, though.

    Last year people posted in this thread before dropping their rooms, so keep an eye out.
    Also, I think (I'm not sure) but I think you'll want to use the "Add" button to try and get a second reservation, then delete the first. Don't try to edit the first.

    Ah, ok, I'll keep that in mind if/when I see an opening, thank you!

    PAX Prime 2022 Checklist:[ ]Hotel [ ]Time Off [ ]Bobcats [ ]Challenge Coin [ ]Forum Badge
    eIMwu3s.png
  • taliosfalcontaliosfalcon Registered User regular
    argh, thought i booked the sheraton for the 30-3 and i just checked and ibooked it for the 30-2 *facepalm* looks like i'm going to need to hit up the hotel sharing thread to try and find a last night somewhere :(

    steam xbox - adeptpenguin
  • GeekyPrincessGeekyPrincess Registered User regular
    kabutodude wrote: »
    Does anyone know how parking works at the Sheraton? If I checkout Sunday morning, can I leave my car there until I'm ready to head home that evening? Also, their website mentions an in-room safe, is it big enough for a laptop?

    It is $30 a day, then you "should" tip the valet, and I don't believe they let you go into their garage to get anything out of your car. Or maybe they thought we wanted to drive the car out of the garage... Either way, we've always parked in the garage across the street. Same price per day, no tipping and easy access to the car.

    They let us in the garage to put stuff in our truck on Sunday morning, just had to take them back the keys when we were done.

    Cookie Brigade Prime 2011 and 2012!
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  • Jenny_SpaghettiJenny_Spaghetti I am 3 ginger midgets in a trench coat. Calgary, CanadalandRegistered User regular
    argh, thought i booked the sheraton for the 30-3 and i just checked and ibooked it for the 30-2 *facepalm* looks like i'm going to need to hit up the hotel sharing thread to try and find a last night somewhere :(

    Fire off an email to OnPeak and ask if they can help. I wanted to swap my room from a 1-king to a 2-queen but the site kept erroring out when I tried to change it and they fixed me up, even after my hotel was marked as sold out. :)

    (P.S. In at the Sheraton Wednesday-Monday!)

  • ArtereisArtereis Registered User regular
    I loooooove the Roosevelt. The wife and I stayed there last year and it was pretty much perfect for us. It's nice and close to her favorite coffee place and still only a block from the action.

  • MadpoetMadpoet Registered User regular
    In case anyone runs into the same thing I did: All the close (1-2 blocks) hotels are unavailable thursday night, but there's still some for fri-sat. Grand Hyatt GET.
    (DAT TUB)

This discussion has been closed.