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East 2018 [Hotel] Partners and Discussion
Posts
Yes but not for Pax. I stayed there for Anime Boston many years and its a really nice hotel. However for Pax I spend so much to go I get a cheap hotel and stay at the Midtown. I might cancel though and stay at Copley House instead (not on the hotel list, but its between midtown and marriott) and just walk to the midtown each day. You get a full kitchen which is pretty sweet and its usually a bit cheaper.
I mention Midtown because Midtown and the Marriott are on the same shuttle route. At least 2-3 times each weekend (especailly in the morning) the shuttle stops at Midtown and its completely full when we load up. We drive a few blocks down the road to Mariott and there is a massive group standing outside and the drive just goes by and radios in that they need to send a second shuttle for Mariott. Which of course they do, but thats gonna be another 20-30 minute wait. I always feel really bad for them becasue they are the second stop. Or you could take a walk down to Midtown (maybe 5 minutes?) and get on the first stop. Its not a huge issue most of the weekend, but it does happen.
I also had a drive once that stopped and let people stand in the aisles! It was crazy but I guess he didn't care about safety lol.
Just a heads up, last year I found Uber and Lyft to be in surge pricing almost the entire time, so I wouldn't rely on it ALL the time.
I have never had a PAX affiliate hotel put a hold on, or charge my card prior to checking out. Your milage may vary though
Similar to that is the Embassy Suites at Logan Airport. I really liked staying there 2 years ago, good breakfast, cheap. I'd probably stay there again but I got the Seaport this year so finally being close will be nice.
http://www.trueachievements.com/TopherXPwns.htm
As a side note - the Onpeak help desk people on the phone are crazy nice and helpful, I got right through to someone and she was really great.
I have a hotel reservation but a friend found a possible better accommodation through Airbnb (2bd room apartment close to the hotel we usually stay at). Has anyone experienced issues using Airbnb for PAX?
I considered it one year for PAX, but ultimately found a good hotel set-up. I would think it's no better or worse than using it for any other time or place.
I managed to book a single bed room at the Renaissance which isn't awful, but (like everyone else...) I'd really love to snag a room at the Aloft, Element, or Westin. Will keep an eye out if anyone is dropping!
In the mean time, tell me about your positive experiences at the Renaissance to make me feel better! I've stayed at Seaport twice so I have that distance experience at least.
edit: and following it with the correct account as well... my bad.
The Renaissance is awesome. They have rollaways and cribs which some of the hotels do not. The staff is great, and their bar is nice. I also like the closer proximity to the restaurants, and the 7/11 in the sea front strict. We usually stay there. We have a friend who has a disability and needs to be slightly closer is the only reason we are moving a tad closer this year.
they wont email you til about two weeks out. basically onpeak books blocks of rooms, and then redistributes them to us. They send all their info to the hotels way closer to the date, after that you normally get a message from the hotel with the details. That is the point in which you can also call them and make requests etc.
I have stayed at the Ren several years (also Westin and Seaport). Downside is paying for wifi and the expensive nearby parking. Upsides (in addition to the proximity to BCEC you know) would be the availability of roll aways, Starbucks in the lobby, and closeness to J. Pace & sons for food. I have found street parking near the hotel before. I have also had excellent customer service there especially high in comparison to my experiences with the Westin. It is also good to note that I come to Pax with friends and family, with a roll-away 5 people fit in the 2 bedded rooms. We are all full sized adults and have always been comfortable. The walk can be breezy as you go over the highway, but since this year we are in April, it should be mitigated a bit.
I am happy to answer specific questions too!
I've stayed at Renaissance twice now in my years going to PAX, and I love it. We stayed last year, and were strongly considering it again this year but decided to roll the dice on Yotel since it's closer. Now to be fair, we park at Alewife and take the T in (coming in from NH). So I can't speak to any hotel parking I've stayed at. And yes, paying for WiFi isn't grand. But the customer service is outstanding and the overall appearance is beautiful.
A word of warning about the "appeal" of having a Starbucks in the lobby. Expect lengthy lines of fellow PAX goers depending what time you go (not that us PAX attendees don't know how to handle lines
The only downside we experienced last year outside of the hotel's control is while the walk was fairly short (only about 7 minutes), the path was very slippery and freezing cold. I know people are more optimistic given it's in early April vs early March like 2017 was. But any realistic New Englander knows most of the time the only difference between March and April weather wise is April starts with an 'A'. BUT, I will say that right next door to the Renaissance is a local convenience store where we stocked up on necessary supplies complete with a South Side Boston deli that served some of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Tres bien!
Overall, I think you'll enjoy your experience. And if you do end up staying, tell them Mephisto sent you. It won't do anything, I just want to see what happens.
To keep this feedback train flowing: Yotel. I know it's brand new, but if anyone has any recent experience I'd love to hear.
There are still rooms for the seaport up there.
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PinnyPals
TRYING to stay at the Element the whole time. Was only able to get one night (Thurs-Fri.), because when registration opened, it was an absolute abomination. Need Wednesday thru Sunday. Was able to get Westin for Thursday thru Sunday. Still hunting for that elusive Wednesday night.
Ah, I was lucky. I was stalking the forums the days before/day of ticket launch and noticed that hotels launched a few minutes before passes were actually announced
Will you be willing to trade? I have a Element Wed-Thur(double bed) and need Westin Thur-Friday(double bed)?
PinnyPals
Today I snagged a Thursday- Saturday, and then a Saturday-Sunday at the Westin. I also have a Wednesday for the Element.
So essentially I wanna stay at the Element on Wednesday and the Westin Thursday through Sunday.
I ask because I don't want to lose any of them, but I've heard if you hold more than one reservations under a single name, it creates an issue.
How would we do that? I'd also still have to switch hotels. I'm trying to get one or the other for the duration.