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This will be my first PaizoCon (hurray!), so, I thought to read reviews of the hotel before booking. Yelp reviewers mention daily charges for parking and internet. I called to confirm and the gentleman who answered the phone stated that Marriot charges $14/day for parking and $14.95/day for internet. This seems a little ridiculous.
A quick internet search and phone calls reveals the following local options for the nights of July 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th:
Hyatt House Seattle-Redmond *will no longer be Hotel Sierra
• Parking and internet are complimentary
• King suite $139/day +tax
Residence Inn Seattle East/Redmond
• Parking and internet are complimentary
• Queen bed and kitchen $159/day +tax
Redmond Inn
• Parking and internet are complimentary
• Double queen or queen $119/day +tax
So, the $85 PaizoCon rate deal plus $28.95 for internet and parking still only comes to $113.95/day +tax. If you sacrificed internet and/or parking you'd be in even better shape.
That is ridiculous. Those are the sorts of things that usually come with the hotel stay as part of the price. What else are they going to do with their parking spots if they aren't used by patrons?
Thanks for doing the research and giving the rest of us the information.
One thing I find annoying in planning my trip is that the hotel does not offer shuttle service to/from the airport. The approximated cost for a cab is $60.
There are definitely cheaper ways to get to the hotel.
As for internet, that is a bit pricey, though not unique. Here was our experience with hotel internet on our honeymoon:
Delhi: cheaper hotel, free internet
Singapore: pricier hotel, $10+/day, free in lobby
Auckland: nicer hotel, free 200MB/day, $10/200MB after
Honolulu: not-so-cheap hotel, $10+/day, free in lobby (and hard to use)
Hilo: Bed & Breakfast, free internet
San Francisco: cheaper hotel, free internet
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Though take into account that the internet cost is only for personal rooms. The wifi in public areas is free, so you can just go to a lounge or cafe and use the wifi there, that is if it is not a problem for you.
I called to confirm that there are areas in the hotel that provide complimentary wifi. I'm not certain if this will include the areas PaizoCon will be held in. Anyway, I made my reservation with Marriott as the discount Paizo negotiated (thanks, guys!) compensates for their typical fees (plus convenience of sleeping and gaming in the same hotel).
Chief Technical Officer
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I called to confirm that there are areas in the hotel that provide complimentary wifi. I'm not certain if this will include the areas PaizoCon will be held in.
I'm pretty sure that the free Wi-Fi area includes the bar/restaurant on the first floor, which is just a few hundred feet from the main convention area.
I called and they are out of the doubles for the Paizo room block.
I'm looking into this now and I'll report back when I have an answer. Stay tuned!
I called and they are out of the doubles for the Paizo room block.
Yep, Joshua is right, I made my reservation last night and although I requested a double and was told that was an option during the phone call, when I received my email confirmation it said the double block was sold out and not guaranteed. The exact line was:
Special request(s):
•2 Double Beds, Sold Out/Not Guaranteed
Also, it sounds like they may make some people park off-site and still charge the $15/day for parking at the off-site lot, I sure hope they don't do that.
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Director of Brand Strategy
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Also, it sounds like they may make some people park off-site and still charge the $15/day for parking at the off-site lot, I sure hope they don't do that.
I don't know how they could enforce this. There's a shopping center adjacent to the hotel with a huge parking lot, and while I don't know if it allows overnight parking without the risk of being towed, there is limited street parking that guests could utilize without needing to pay anyone.
I don't know how they could enforce this.
Hey Mark, thanks for the tip about the shopping center, I don't think the issue was a matter of enforcement, rather a question of availability, the Marriott employee I spoke with confirmed that they had limited parking on-site and their off-site lot was still $15/day. I'll certainly use something closer and cheaper if available, as will everyone else.
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I'm looking into this now and I'll report back when I have an answer. Stay tuned!
Jeff, did you ever find out anything on this?
The hotel confirmation says
2 Double Beds Req Not Gtd, Request Noted
Does this mean some of us should be concerned that we shall be sleeping on the floors of the hotel?
Thanks for checking for us.
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Chief Technical Officer
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I'm looking into this now and I'll report back when I have an answer. Stay tuned!Jeff, did you ever find out anything on this?
The hotel confirmation says
2 Double Beds Req Not Gtd, Request NotedDoes this mean some of us should be concerned that we shall be sleeping on the floors of the hotel?
Thanks for checking for us.
I'm pretty sure that the "not guaranteed" part is the bed configuration, not that you won't have a room.
Vic, is someone from Paizo in contact with the hotel about running out of double bed rooms and securing more?
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Vic, is someone from Paizo in contact with the hotel about running out of double bed rooms and securing more?Jeff is working with the hotel. There are some other situations they have to resolve before we'll know if they'll be able to extend our block, though.
Thats an ominous statement
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Chief Technical Officer
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We had a meeting with the hotel today, and they confirmed that every double bed room in the entire hotel is booked for the show. There are still singles and kings available, and there are doubles in the neighboring Residence Inn (though that's not part of the room block, and has different rates).
I just called Marriott to confirm that we would still get two beds in our room even with the double block sold out and they did confirm that with a king bed you can still get a roll away bed at no extra charge. Despite my terrible penchant for losing at rock-paper-scissor, this is good news all around as that's an extra $85 I'll be able to budget for gaming products!
I have booked a room by phone and the hotel said, they would send a e-mail as confirmation. after 3 days I don't think the mail will come.
I can't find a e-mail adress on the hotels site. Does anyone has a e-mail adress? I'd rather avoid another expensive phone call from Germany.
I have booked a room by phone and the hotel said, they would send a e-mail as confirmation. after 3 days I don't think the mail will come.
I can't find a e-mail adress on the hotels site. Does anyone has a e-mail adress? I'd rather avoid another expensive phone call from Germany.
The email address on my reservation confirmation is reservations@marriott.com. I would start there with the day you called and your information to see if they can find it in the system.
They also have international calling information (including Germany) here: http://www.marriott.com/reservation/worldwide-hotel-reservation-numbers.mi
That may allow you to save some calling fees.
Dunno if any of that helps at all, but maybe it's a start. Good luck!
I have booked a room by phone and the hotel said, they would send a e-mail as confirmation. after 3 days I don't think the mail will come.
I can't find a e-mail adress on the hotels site. Does anyone has a e-mail adress? I'd rather avoid another expensive phone call from Germany.
The email address on my reservation confirmation is reservations@marriott.com. I would start there with the day you called and your information to see if they can find it in the system.
They also have international calling information (including Germany) here: http://www.marriott.com/reservation/worldwide-hotel-reservation-numbers.mi
That may allow you to save some calling fees.
Dunno if any of that helps at all, but maybe it's a start. Good luck!
thank you, thunderspirit
we will try that
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The important thing is that the hotel bar has reasonable Happy Hour prices and Diamondknot IPA on tap.
CJ
WA VC
FYI if you haven't locked in your travel arrangements: I finally got around to booking my room yesterday. They are currently out of the block rate for Sunday night, but still had them avaiable through Saturday night. The last night nearly costs as much as the previous three, but I already have my plane ticket. Just thought your might want to know if you haven't locked in your travel arrangements.
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Chief Technical Officer
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They are currently out of the block rate for Sunday night, but still had them avaiable through Saturday night.Was that in general, or for a particular room configuration?
I checked with Jeff Alvarez, and he thinks we might be able to increase our block for singles.
(Every double that was available when we booked the con was part of our block, but they're already sold out.)
They are currently out of the block rate for Sunday night, but still had them avaiable through Saturday night.Was that in general, or for a particular room configuration?
Just adding to the knowledge base.
I *just* (as of 4:28 PST) booked a king bed room for 4 nights (starting Thursday the 5th). I was able to get the $85.00 room rate for all four nights.
Now.. they did have to ask a supervisor to override the standard room rate in order to get the $85 room rate, but they did so and were pleasant about it. But that might be an indication of a communication issue. Nevertheless, I did get the Con room rate.
My wife and I booked Wednesday through Sunday. We reserved a king bed room and received the con rate.
What. I see rebellion. The hotel staff needs to fall to their knees and ask forgiveness for charging you full price.
Ok... we've got our block of singles extended. If you booked outside of the block because it was sold out, you should be able to call them and get rebooked at the block rate.
Thanks, Vic. I called them back and they have given me the group rate for all 4 nights.
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Chief Technical Officer
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Ok... we've got our block of singles extended. If you booked outside of the block because it was sold out, you should be able to call them and get rebooked at the block rate.Thanks, Vic. I called them back and they have given me the group rate for all 4 nights.
Thanks for letting us know!
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Any size room? They told me all that the block was completely booked, and only king-size-bed rooms were available besides (at normal rates.. well, AAA rates, which is still way too high for me right now).
I was not super impressed with the woman helping me. I asked if there was a waiting list for the con block and she said she didn't know and wouldn't have access if there was. When I asked who did have access, she got vague and confused and said I would just have to ask when I checked in..
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One thing I find annoying in planning my trip is that the hotel does not offer shuttle service to/from the airport. The approximated cost for a cab is $60 (about the same as getting a service to drive me) which is somewhat startling, but considering the distance somewhat expected. If I rent a car I have that cost in addition to paying $60 in parking. The PaizoCon rate is still a good deal, but I'm a bit miffed at the add on expenses, particularly the internet.
You know, my husband and I will be flying in Thursday and are encountering the same issue. Maybe people should start a thread to share rides to/from the hotel, as far as sharing shuttle services from the airport to reduce costs?
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One thing I find annoying in planning my trip is that the hotel does not offer shuttle service to/from the airport. The approximated cost for a cab is $60 (about the same as getting a service to drive me) which is somewhat startling, but considering the distance somewhat expected. If I rent a car I have that cost in addition to paying $60 in parking. The PaizoCon rate is still a good deal, but I'm a bit miffed at the add on expenses, particularly the internet.You know, my husband and I will be flying in Thursday and are encountering the same issue. Maybe people should start a thread to share rides to/from the hotel, as far as sharing shuttle services from the airport to reduce costs?
The Go Shuttle Express would run you $40 each way (per passenger). If there is a larger group, their group vehicle rates are actually not too bad (e.g.- exclusive van service for up to 10 is $120 each way ... town car for up to 3 is $77 each way) Here's their link
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Contributor
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Just booked my room (my finances were on hold after my car's brake pad fell off on a rainy hillside and and went off roading into a tree & I had to pay for the repairs). Only 2 days were still available (out of 4) at the reduced price. So it ran close to $500. So if anyone one wants any sort of reduced price, they probably ought to book now.