slruud

You've got time, so why not see if you can get the 4* River North/Magnificent Mile hotel...probably the Doubletree... on Lastminutetravel.com for $172. It comes up as "on request" so you might have to wait a day or so to see if they can finaggle (sp) another room at that price.

Again I'll throw out the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, "available" on Lastminutetravel.com for $116/nite. Public transportation being what it is in the City, it's easy enough to get to US or FW via bus or cable car....with a Muni pass of course. Another expense to think about is parking if you are going to have a car.

Looks like things are quite expensive for the OP's dates, however Lastminutetravel.com has the 3* Holiday Inn Golden Gateway for $116/nite. A little off the beaten path, but right next to a cable car terminus and near a number of bus lines, specifically the number 1 Van Ness bus that goes up and back on Sacramento/Clay for easy access to China town and Embarcadero. Don't remember the number, but there is a bus that heads down Van Ness and hits Fisherman's wharf, so transportation won't be a problem. Whole Foods is nearby, and restaurants in the area include Tommy's Joynt, House of Prime Rib, Ruth's Chris, Swan Oyster Depot.

Or the number 30 Stockton bus.

Sorry, I missed the no car statement. And I guess the Hotwire/Expedia Unpublished might not be in the area you want.

Be aware that some of the downtown hotels charge up to $50/nite for parking. Hotwire/Expedia Unpublished Rates has a 3* Civic Center South -Hayes Valley Area for $85/nite. I'll let the professionals on the board decipher the amenities.

Just for reference, Lastminutetravel.com has the Benson for $134/nite, and the Hilton...3.5* on Priceline for $84/nite.

Poking around Lastminutetravel.com today, looking for rates for San Francisco in December, and found that all the hotels are named. Did a random search for a few other dates, and the same thing. Maybe a change for the good, if it lasts.

Not local to the area...One of the F1 tour groups website has the above dates as scheduled for the race weekend. I'll see if bidding on Priceline starts next month and maybe give it a shot. May Google the Dallas race from years ago and relive the heat and humidity.

Did some more checking today, and things look bleak for Formula 1 weekend in Austin. My research shows the dates should be the weekend of 15 - 17 of June 2012. The Omni, Hilton, and Intercontinental show no availability. The cheapest on the Driskill website is $499 for those dates, but LMT has Hampton Inn South Austin for $112/nite. One of the reservation specialists said they will/are going to use a central reservations type deal via austintexas.org. I doubt very seriously there are enough hotel rooms in Austin to carry the load, and will probably spill over into San Antonio. I would like to go, but the idea of June in Austin is a little off putting...humidity and all that. The last time the U.S. Grand Prix was in Dallas, the heat was unbearable for the drivers, as well as the fans.

Did a quick check and some of the 4* hotels in the downtown area don't seem to be booking quite yet. Omni and Hilton show no availability, and the Driskill shows up on Lastminutetravel.com for $923/nite.

Just for reference, Expedia Unpublished rates has a 3.5* in USW/Nob Hill for $125, possibly the Warwick.

Get some sleep Whoheis...title should read Galeria Park.

Still looking to treat you to a martini Colfax. We'll be back in The City 8/4 - 8/6, at the Omni of course. Found a new bar for a great pizza deal. Palio, on Sacramento behind the Omni. For every two adult beverages at the bar, you can get one of their pizzas for a buck. Easy enough for my wife and myself to order a couple drinks...that equals a good start to the evening. One of the former bartenders from the Omni, Joy, tends bar there and she is a wonderful person.

Looks like I forgot....San Diego 4* Gaslamp Quarter South-Convention Center.

Forgot to add 4* in Gaslamp Quarter South-Convention Center in San Diego.

Going to post this up here besides under the Hotels tab to maybe help someone. Amenities are pool, restaurant, fitness center, restaurant, internet, business center. Best rate on Omni website is $188. Used Expedia link on this site.

Gambled a bit and won. Amenities are pool, internet, restaurant, business center, fitness center. Relied on description that check in age was 21. Not so at Solamar. Omni website quoting $188/nite non refundable. Used Expedia link on this site.

If you're going to have to take MAX, why not look into the North Harbour area, where there is a 3* Courtyard, and I think a Residence Inn. Both have free parking, internet, I think, and very near a MAX station.

And a 3 day pass is now $21.

Just to clarify, title should read Courtyard somewhere.

Began bidding a few days ago, and with no free rebids for 3* Downtown just bid once a day. Started at $55 and PL countered to $70, then $59 and PL countered to $74. Today bid $65 and accepted. Stayed here before and location can't be beat. Was just hoping not to get Residence Inn...no knock against it, just a bit far from our usual haunts. Cheapest on Marriott website is $109 non refundable. Used PRICELINE link on this site.

Don't about the Hotwire match, but Lastminutetravel.com has the Hilton O'hare for $62/nite.

Started bidding at $65 and increased bids $2 to $4 with free rebid zones. Last unsuccessful bid was $84. Weird, but W website quoting $499 for these nights, but if I back out the 21st, rate goes down to $209. Hotwire has this property for $96, and Lastminutetravel.com has it for $119. Used PRICELINE link on this site.

Besides offering "opaque" hotels, LMT has taken to throwing a few named hotels out in between their "opaque" offerings. Checked this morning for a future trip in June to San Francisco, and named hotels such as Sheraton FW, Westin Market Street, Omni, Harbor Court, et. al. are showing up.