Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Boston Metro-South (Needham-Dedham) Hilton Dedham

[twiddlebug]

I'm looking to book a room for this coming weekend. I'd like to stay in the Boston area as we will be visiting the aquarium, Museum of Science and Children's museum.

We are willing to drive about 30 minutes to get there. I'd like to stay in a 3.5 - 4* hotel but I don't want to pay to park my car. Any information on that?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Since with PRICELINE and HOTWIRE you won't know the specific hotel you will receive before your purchase, you also won't be able to know parking costs beforehand. Fortunately the savings of using either service will usually be enough to compensate for parking costs if you win a hotel which charges for parking while other hotels in the area don't, but no assurance that this will be the case.

If parking costs are that much of a hindrance, HOTWIRE may be the better option as you can often at least take a guess as to the hotel you may receive and therefore, if you've guessed correctly, determine parking costs (if any) beforehand.

Depending upon your budget and number of guests, you may also want to consider a hotel directly in the city... you can usually find weekend parking somewhat reasonable at a private/public garage (ie- not thru the hotel) and perhaps treat yourself to a little convenience and a more enjoyable weekend.

What are the actual dates you need?

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[twiddlebug]

Thank you. I know if I've stayed on the outskirts I've had better luck with free parking. We got a Needham Hilton once that didn't charge for parking. Hyatt in Cambridge didn't have a fee a while ago but I see that has changed now.

I am staying from 2/18 - 2/22.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Given your stay is longer than 'just the weekend' i wouldn't necessarily count on reasonable parking for the midweek days of your trip (even though Monday is a holiday... not sure if garages will be trying to attract customers with weekend rates if offices/business are closed)

You can either roll the dice with PRICELINE and hope you land a hotel with or near inexpensive parking OR you can pay a little more and use HOTWIRE, where you can take a guess at the hotel and then determine if there are parking alternatives nearby. Nobody really likes to pay for parking, but it's become a reality of visiting large cities.

I also just re-read your first post and you mention willing to drive up to 30 minutes from the hotel to get to the location(s) you intend on visiting... where you intend to park once you get to Boston?? If your 'event' locations are close to a T Stop i'd look into staying directly in the city (although i haven't looked at prices yet) if possible for convenience, and once you factor in driving and parking once in Boston, you might not save that much by staying outside the city.

Also, how many adults/children will you be?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[twiddlebug]

Good point on the parking while in the city. I didn't take that into consideration. I was hoping to not pay over $65 a night and I was pretty sure I wouldn't get that right in Boston. Although I think we did get Hyatt Regency for that once. I just don't want to have to pay almost an extra $50 a night for parking. For the several times we plan on going into the city the on site, street or garage parking would wind up being the less expensive option.

We will be two adults a 5 yr old and 17 yr old.

[thereuare]

I assume you were only planning on one room? If so, the other issue you'll face is that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. Is this a risk you're willing to accept?

If not, HOTWIRE may still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

Parking won't be $50 if you're willing to park outside of the hotel. This location gets mentioned often as some of the better rates in the city (although to get the weekend rate you may need to 'visit' your car to pay, exit, drive around the block, and re-enter): http://www.mccahome.com/bcg_rat.html... but weekend rates can be as low as $11/day and weekday rates are 'just' $27/24 hours or an $11 overnite rate

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[twiddlebug]

Thank you so much for all your help and advice. I wound up bidding through Priceline for the Boston Metro - South area 3.5* Needham - Dedham. Rejected at 50 & 55. Accepted at $57 at the Hilton Boston/Dedham (Complimentary Parking). As I've usually done with Priceline reservations, I was able to call the hotel and arrange for two double beds.

On site parking to the places we will be visiting is cheaper than paying for 4 nights of parking at a downtown hotel or garage. At some places we've been able to find street/meter parking which is even cheaper.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you found something which works well for your needs and that you're happy with the results.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Have a great trip!