Lloyd A. de Vries

Amenities listed: "Boutique hotel, Business center, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Self-service laundry, Smoke-free rooms." Also "Complimentary: Free Internet" which was the most important for me other than price. Was hoping for something closer to Union Station, but this will do fine. It looks as if walking, taking a taxi or the Metro all will take about the same time! And the shortest walk is across the back side of the U.S. Capitol. (Or will I have to detour because I'll be carrying a small suitcase? )

Easy on/off I-95, everything was fine, free breakfast was one of the better ones I've seen at this level. One warning: Four months earlier, we stayed at the co-owned motel across the parking lot, which was fine...but the Vanadoo Restaurant touted by both hotels was disappointing. Pedestrian menu, nothing special on the prices, and very slow service (especially busing other tables nearby). Also, to get back on the Interstate, Mapquest says to continue on US 17 to the next light and make a U-turn. Better choice: go through the parking lot of the strip mall east of the motel (toward I-95), turn right, and make a left at the light!

Just booked for this weekend.

Thanks. I didn't know about the MAPS and HOTELS.com site, but I'm about to check it out. I'll let you know what happens, and, if I book through Hotwire, it'll be through your link to HOTWIRE.

I'm looking for a hotel downtown near the convention center, 400 West Wisconsin Ave., August 6-11. Hotwire lists three downtown properties: A 4-star at $158 (and I see several past bookings here for 4* hotels), a 2.5* for $127 (free breakfast, pet friendly, smoke free rooms, high-speed Internet access) and a 2* for $124 (free parking, free Internet, smoke free rooms, fitness center, pool(s), restaurant(s), business center, high-speed Internet access). I didn't find any 2* or 2.5* listed here recently for Milwaukee (Downtown). Ideally, I'd like free Internet, free breakfast, and a smoke free room, all a reasonable walk from the convention center. Alternatively, I'd stay in another part of the area, if the mass transit is good (like that in Portland, Oregon!). Suggestions welcomed. Thanks.

Yes, it was the Galt House, and I have booked the hotel using BetterBidding's HOTWIRE link. Thanks for your help.

Thanks. I'll use your HOTWIRE link when I get everything lined up -- my wife's college roommate is coming up from Nashville, and I need to ask if she wants me to book a room for her at the same time. Galt House appears a little closer to some of the sightseeing attractions than the Hyatt and has a "spa" that might interest my wife while I'm at the stamp show, but the Hyatt has an enclosed walkway to the convention center. So either one will be fine. I saw that the "airport shuttle amenity" at Galt House just meant they are steering guests to a shuttle company. <_< I do use shuttles, because I don't often rent cars within cities, but I'll check what else is available first. (With two people, a cab might be cheaper.) If anyone here has suggestions for attractions that we might not pick up from the AAA tourbook or other guides, please let me know. Thanks again.

Here's the complete list: Airport Shuttle Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Spa Services Accessible for the blind Accessible for the deaf Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Accessible bathroom Handicapped parking Roll-in shower

I'm attending a stamp collecting show in Louisville at the Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 South Fourth Street. I can get a "show" rate of $125 for the Hyatt Regency, which is connected to the convention center. But Hotwire has a 4* hotel for $76, with these amenities: airport shuttle Pool(s) Spa Services Smoke Free Rooms Restaurant(s) Accessible for the blind Fitness Center Business Center Accessible for the deaf Reading past messages here, it appears that might be either the Hyatt or the Galt House about two blocks away. I'd prefer the Hyatt, but I also wouldn't mind saving $49 a night! But I have to be within walking distance of the convention center. I don't want to spend the money I've saved on cab fare. Forgot the dates: checking in January 16th, out on the 20th. What do you think? Thanks.

Hotwire says the hotel has a fitness center, pool, restaurant, business center and high-speed Internet (fee may apply). This past winter, one of your members said that was the Sheraton Station Square. Is that still likely? I'd be staying the night of August 4th. Thanks.

Sorry: Staying August 12-17. Most important is reasonable proximity to the Convention Center (not Civic Center), either walking or inexpensive cab. (I know about the Star Shuttle, but that runs limited hours on weekends I'd also like free Internet and free parking... but for a good price, I'd skip those.

I'm going to a stamp show at the Hartford CT convention center in August. The main show hotel, the Marriott, is much too expensive, when you count parking and Internet. The second show hotel, a Holiday Inn Express, is 2.4 miles away (it says it has a shuttle) but the only rooms available were smoking rooms. Expedia has the Godwin Hotel 0.6 miles away, and rates it 3.5 stars; $107.10 for my dates. (Plus parking, but a $50 gas card.) HOTWIRE has a 3.5 star hotel in downtown Hartford at $82, but won't tell me how far away from the convention center it is. If it's the Godwin, it's doable. If it's the Sheraton, across the river and an Interstate highway bridge, it's not. And Hotwire's version of "downtown Hartford" seems to include some of East Hartford on the other side of the river. The two sites are co-owned. Is there a good chance HOTWIRE is offering the Godwin? Is 3.5 stars on Expedia the same as 3.5 on Hotwire?