gocubz

Thanks for the information, everyone. Still not sure exactly what I will do. I may just go with the conference hotel reservation system. It is a small discount, but I can live with it.

The address I am getting is 1101 Arch St. in Philly. I would like to be able to walk to the center, but it is not 100% necessary. I could grab a cab if I had to. But it will be in June, so a long walk (half hour or so) wouldn't kill me. If it's possible to get within a half hour's walk, that would be ideal. They gave us several hotel possibilities to go through the conference organization to secure a reservation. They are the Comfort Inn, Cortyard by Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Double Tree, Embassy Suites, Four Seasons, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Historic District, Inn at the Union League, Latham Hotel, Loews Hotel, Park Hyatt, Marriott, Radizon-Plaza Warwick, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton Society Hill, Sofitel, Westin, and Wyndham Franklin Plaza. All of these are supposedly within a half hour walk. I would prefer one of the nicer ones (what appears to be a 3 or 4 star on Priceline's scale).

We need to check in on June 27th and out on July 1st, 2005. Thanks for responding so quickly!

Here's my situation. I am a teacher who will be attending a national education conference in Philly in June 2005 at the downtown convention center. I have used priceline once before with great luck for a vacation, but am still pretty new to it. Three things that concern me about using priceline in this situation: 1. Should I be concerned about there being a large conference in town that week and there won't be rooms available (especially close to the convention center)? 2. Should I be concerned that I am bidding so far in advance? (I have to be sure I get a room, and am scared to wait until the last minute.) 3. Should I be concerned that I need to be within walking distance to the convention center? (again, I am afraid I won't be anywhere close). If anyone who is an expert could offer some advice I would appreciate it. I am wondering if the best thing wouldn't just be to suck it up and pay the $150 - $200 a night to be sure I get a room close to the convention center, but then I see how cheap the rooms posted on this site are for. Anyone have good advice?