We're at the Crockett, too. We Googled and the place looks beautiful. I was wondering why they had inside chairs outside, but then I remembered Texas doesn't do rain. The 13k+ reviews gave a 4.2/5 rating so it's not a dump. Also, google turned up a bunch of "this is a haunted hotel!" pages. Bahahaha. Awesome.
I have a feeling the Grand Hyatt is the actual closest, with the Marriott second closest. If you look how they calculate walking distance from the Hyatt to the convention center on the map, it's pretty funny.
I have a feeling the Grand Hyatt is the actual closest, with the Marriott second closest. If you look how they calculate walking distance from the Hyatt to the convention center on the map, it's pretty funny.
Yeah, I noticed that. OnPeak thinks "2.0 blocks" is less than "0.1 miles" even when it's actually not.
I grabbed a room at the Hotel Indigo since it's amazingly cheap and still really close to the convention center. If I bring a friend or two, I'm looking at sub-$200 hotel costs out of my pocket, which is insane compared to how much I'm spending at Prime this year.
I have a feeling the Grand Hyatt is the actual closest, with the Marriott second closest. If you look how they calculate walking distance from the Hyatt to the convention center on the map, it's pretty funny.
Closest looks to be Grand Hyatt, Marriott-RiverWALK, Marriott-RiverCENTER. The Hilton is really close but I don't think that was an option (on hotels.com it's 199/night). [EDIT - looks like the hilton is there and everything on OnPeak is cheaper than hotels.com, except a RRI that's 5mi away - that's $33/night)
We went with the Crockett because it's a 10min walk and cheap. Personally, I would've gone with the Red Roof Inn because I'm super cheap, but my boyfriend likes unique hotels.
I have a feeling the Grand Hyatt is the actual closest, with the Marriott second closest. If you look how they calculate walking distance from the Hyatt to the convention center on the map, it's pretty funny.
Yeah, I noticed that. OnPeak thinks "2.0 blocks" is less than "0.1 miles" even when it's actually not.
Yeah, I had to Google and double check just to make sure before I did it. The Hyatt and Marriott are pretty much right next to the convention center, and the Crockett is a few blocks away. Not terrible by any means, but definitely not the closest.
Closest looks to be Grand Hyatt, Marriott-RiverWALK, Marriott-RiverCENTER.
This is exactly it, in that precise order. Grand is connected, Riverwalk is directly across the street, and Rivercenter is one street beyond that. Both Marriott Riverwalk and Rivercenter have access to the actual Riverwalk itself, so you don't have to cross at street level if you would prefer to avoid it.
I would get a close hotel for the extra cost. I am not sure how it was in San Antonio last winter but I know it got pretty cold in Dallas on up through Arkansas. If we have a bad winter I can see it getting a little chilly there.
I don't put anything past happening after this last winter in the south. It was crazy, and yes if it even gets a little bit icy down here everything shuts down.
Just a note that the Wyndham Garden San Antonio, while further out, is also very convenient. Its on a newer portion of the Riverwalk and its a nice 20 minute walk to the convention center.
I would get a close hotel for the extra cost. I am not sure how it was in San Antonio last winter but I know it got pretty cold in Dallas on up through Arkansas. If we have a bad winter I can see it getting a little chilly there.
What temperature is chilly? In my New England mind, I put it around 65 for Texas, which is still pretty darn warm.
I'd say the freezing point (32F) is the benchmark "cold" temp for most of Texas (the panhandle, meanwhile, is laughing hysterically). Any time there's a threat of ice is when the weathermen breakout the special graphics.
Chilly...I dunno, 40s with a heavy breeze? :O
Edit: I suppose some people might say 40-50s is considered a noticeable point for low temps but I tend to look at the bad spurts that BadNews65 is referring to. When we get a winter storm it'll drop temps by 20-30 degrees overnight. Or in one crazy case around DFW earlier this year, 60+ degrees in a matter of hours during the afternoon/evening.
I can only speak for Arkansas. We start getting cold in the lower 50's. We had times this past winter that got down to the single digits and lower. Normally we can get by most days with out a heavy coat, but that wasn't the case for us this past season. Texas stays a bit warmer than we do though.
Yeah I'll have my down fill coat in tow since I'll be wearing that at home. Landing in Houston I'd imagine is going to result in insta-strip of thick layers.
So I guess pack both a hoodie and shorts. Tropical for Iowa standards in January.
San Antonio is further south than Dallas and typically much warmer than the other Texas cities. A bad cold front can push temps down, but I'm betting it will be 70ish for the con.
This is my first PAX so I'm pretty excited. I plan to drive into the city and get a hotel close enough to walk to the event. Does anyone know if there are areas I should avoid due to crime rates or have any traffic tips?
Texas in January 'aint no thang' if you're from anywhere else. This was my first year in Texas and even in January with the ice and stuff we had in Dallas, it wasn't that bad (I'm from much further north - ie Toronto). It was just cold enough to keep things frozen.
If you've stood in line to get into PaxEast in the sub temps with the ocean winds, this should seem a [warm] breeze.
The hotels are all so much closer to the convention site than they are in Boston, I can't wait for the 6 minute walk!
Yeah looking at the distance between hotel and con, I'd at best need my mail getting wardrobe. It simply consists of my winter coat, shorts, and flip-flops.
I used Travago and found a great deal at the Riverside Suites. Looks like an apartment on the Riverwalk and was only $109 a night. Only a few blocks away too.
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So I thought OnPeak was suppose to cut deals with PAX attendees? Less than 2 weeks ago, the price at the Hyatt, which is connected to the convention center was at 159. Now it's over 200? I luckily secured my hotel just after the announcement and I am glad I did. It seems a got a way better deal than what's on OnPeak.
I've found that the prices on OnPeak are better in some cases when all taxes an fees are accounted for. Otherwise some of the prices do look very similar.
All in all though, the sheer number of budget hotels within walking distance of convention center make it a bit different from PAX East and Prime. There are a lot of reasonable deals out there without needing to use OnPeak. Because of this I shopped which hotel I'd prefer to stay at within my budget, then compared the price between OnPeak and Trivago and wen't with whichever deal was better. Personally I'm staying at the Springhill Suites, which had a better deal on OnPeak.
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If nothing else, OnPeak keeps blocks of rooms reserved for PAX specifically, so that other folks are less likely to fill up the close hotels on that weekend.
After the polar vortex I experienced in Chicago, I'm ready for anything.
Anyway- I booked Red Roof In for me and my buddy. We are looking to be as cheap as possible. A 1/2 mile walk is nothing for us. Looking forward to this weekend.
Booked at Red Roof Inn 'cause I'm poor and it was the cheapest one available I hope it is at least ok
I read some reviews and it seems like 70/30 in the positive. It has free wi-fi so I'm fine with it. Hopefully we get enough people to have a game night or two.
Booked at Red Roof Inn 'cause I'm poor and it was the cheapest one available I hope it is at least ok
I read some reviews and it seems like 70/30 in the positive. It has free wi-fi so I'm fine with it. Hopefully we get enough people to have a game night or two.
My buddy and I, and I know of a group of 4 here from my city that's staying at that Inn as well, but I agree, I hope it gets flooded with PAXers to throw a good party!
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Yeah, I noticed that. OnPeak thinks "2.0 blocks" is less than "0.1 miles" even when it's actually not.
Go San Antonio?
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Closest looks to be Grand Hyatt, Marriott-RiverWALK, Marriott-RiverCENTER. The Hilton is really close but I don't think that was an option (on hotels.com it's 199/night). [EDIT - looks like the hilton is there and everything on OnPeak is cheaper than hotels.com, except a RRI that's 5mi away - that's $33/night)
We went with the Crockett because it's a 10min walk and cheap. Personally, I would've gone with the Red Roof Inn because I'm super cheap, but my boyfriend likes unique hotels.
Yeah, I had to Google and double check just to make sure before I did it. The Hyatt and Marriott are pretty much right next to the convention center, and the Crockett is a few blocks away. Not terrible by any means, but definitely not the closest.
This is exactly it, in that precise order. Grand is connected, Riverwalk is directly across the street, and Rivercenter is one street beyond that. Both Marriott Riverwalk and Rivercenter have access to the actual Riverwalk itself, so you don't have to cross at street level if you would prefer to avoid it.
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Yeah, but if some crazy (and I mean crazy) reason it snows, you'll see the city shut down
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In general, that'll get you by perfectly. You could count the number of days you'd need something heavier on your digits.
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What temperature is chilly? In my New England mind, I put it around 65 for Texas, which is still pretty darn warm.
Chilly...I dunno, 40s with a heavy breeze? :O
Edit: I suppose some people might say 40-50s is considered a noticeable point for low temps but I tend to look at the bad spurts that BadNews65 is referring to. When we get a winter storm it'll drop temps by 20-30 degrees overnight. Or in one crazy case around DFW earlier this year, 60+ degrees in a matter of hours during the afternoon/evening.
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So just slightly below perfect? Gotcha.
Looking at accuweather for January temps in San Antonio, the season can't make up its mind.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/san-antonio-tx/78205/month/351198?monyr=1/01/2014
So I guess pack both a hoodie and shorts. Tropical for Iowa standards in January.
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San Antonio is further south than Dallas and typically much warmer than the other Texas cities. A bad cold front can push temps down, but I'm betting it will be 70ish for the con.
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Betting on Texas weather? That's bold!
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If you've stood in line to get into PaxEast in the sub temps with the ocean winds, this should seem a [warm] breeze.
The hotels are all so much closer to the convention site than they are in Boston, I can't wait for the 6 minute walk!
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All in all though, the sheer number of budget hotels within walking distance of convention center make it a bit different from PAX East and Prime. There are a lot of reasonable deals out there without needing to use OnPeak. Because of this I shopped which hotel I'd prefer to stay at within my budget, then compared the price between OnPeak and Trivago and wen't with whichever deal was better. Personally I'm staying at the Springhill Suites, which had a better deal on OnPeak.
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Anyway- I booked Red Roof In for me and my buddy. We are looking to be as cheap as possible. A 1/2 mile walk is nothing for us. Looking forward to this weekend.
I read some reviews and it seems like 70/30 in the positive. It has free wi-fi so I'm fine with it. Hopefully we get enough people to have a game night or two.
My buddy and I, and I know of a group of 4 here from my city that's staying at that Inn as well, but I agree, I hope it gets flooded with PAXers to throw a good party!