Priceline Hotel: 3* Boston (Cambridge East - Charlestown) Residence Inn Boston Cambridge

[bmansfie]

I am looking for two rooms in a 3-4* hotel in Boston's Back Bay for August 15-18 (Thu-Sun). One couple in one room, and a second couple with 16 yo in the second room. Would ideally like to spend ~$100 per room per night. Does this sound reasonable? Can anyone recommend a good source to tell if there are any major conventions or events going on in Boston that week? I tried asking the Googles "Boston Events Calendar" but gave up trying to sift through all of it.

Thanks!

[yellowdog]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Before we move on.

and a second couple with 16 yo in the second room.

Please note that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, which means you may receive a room with only one bed and the hotel could assign you a room with only one bed. You could request a room with two beds, but the hotel could be unable, or unwilling, to accommodate your request... or charge an additional fee if they are willing to accommodate you request.

HOTWIRE guarantees sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search... this often means two beds in the room, but the second 'bed' could be a pullout sofabed, rollaway brought into the room, etc.

Let us know your thoughts for the above and we'll go from there.

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

Yellowdog.

[bmansfie]

Thanks! I should have known that. I read some bidding tips that mentioned that. Guess I am stuck with HOTWIRE. Am I right in assuming that the best deals are to be found on PRICELINE?

[thereuare]

PRICELINE is usually a little cheaper than hotwire, but HOTWIRE enables you to ensure sleeping accommodations for more than double occupancy.

If those who need the room for 2adults/1child receive a room that only has one bed, or in an extreme situation are told that they only allow double occupancy in the room (and need to pay for an upgrade, if available, or are denied a room), would that still be a better deal?

Using PRICELINE for more than double occupancy is a calculated risk you need to decide if you (and the others traveling with you) are willing to accept. In Boston i would say it's a legitimate risk/concern... not as much as if you were staying in NYC, and more than if you were visiting Orlando (where most hotels are family friendly and used to accommodating more than double occupancy in the room).

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[bmansfie]

We're driving up from New York and can stick an inflatable mattress and sleeping bag in the trunk for the teenager just in case. Let's do two rooms on PRICELINE. Thanks for all the advice.

[thereuare]

Is the Copley Square-Back Bay zone the only zone you're willing to accept?

At current rates I think your $100 budget will fall a little short for a 3* hotel in this zone... it may also fall short for a 3* in any of the 'downtown' Boston zones, but adding more zones that may be acceptable gives more hotels the chance to accept your bid which will at least improve your chances.

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

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

Thanks.

[bmansfie]

I could go as high as $125 per night, provided fees, etc... don't push it much past that. We could target Beacon Hill, Boston Common, Quincy, and Harbor Front. I have Groupon tickets for Cityview Trolley, which I've just discovered only runs in the aforementioned downtown areas (unlike some of the other trolley tours that include Cambridge, Fenway, Back Bay, Charlestown...). Staying in the trolley's coverage area will allow us to keep the walking for Dad to a minimum. Thanks

[bmansfie]

I'm wondering I I should wait a bit longer to start bidding, as I am still five weeks out and everything I'm reading says the longer you wait the better deal you are likely to land...

[Romelle]

I'd definitely start bidding now. Just not push to the absolute top of my budget, reserving that for later. Sometimes there are good deals early on. One never knows. I've actually thought I was low-balling some 7 months out and got a hit in London. Good thing I really meant to do the trip!

I was in Boston with my son and two 13-year-old grandsons a couple months ago. We did all the usual tourist things. Had the Groupon Cityview Trolley coupons. I thought I'd offer up a little of our learning.

The trolley tour was fun. I enjoyed the commentary and it did indeed take one by the major sights. The trick with it is it only goes one way around. So you'd best plan what you want to see in the direction of the route. It doesn't work for random wandering. It also doesn't run really frequently, so again - planning will help you not do long waits at the pick-up points. Also, take careful note when you get off. I only remember one stop actually having a sign.

Following the painted red line about the city worked well for routing us when we were walking.

Parking is a serious (both costly and rare) issue. On Hotwire, some hotels indicate free parking, but they are few and far between. In any case, you need to factor it into your budget. Something in the range of $30 a day. More if you move the car about. Although, on a non-game day, we did find free parking very near Fenway.

The Faneuil Food Court is really busy but offers an incredible array. The best sit-down meal we found was in the Little Italy area.

We stayed further out and drove in each day. Actually, in retrospect I think it would have been better to bite the bullet on those high rates and stay in closer.

Boston has an excellent public transport system. If you want to get to Fenway Park or other further out areas it might well serve you, rather than driving.

Romelle

[thereuare]

I'm wondering I I should wait a bit longer to start bidding, as I am still five weeks out and everything I'm reading says the longer you wait the better deal you are likely to land...

This is NOT always true... while sometimes rates go down the closer to your trip, sometimes they move higher.

Given that your $100 budget is likely too low for these dates at the moment, and your $125 budget would have a chance at a win, i would begin bidding now, as any acceptance at these prices would be considered a 'good' win at current prices, imo. If you are successful and rates drop from here, i don't think it's likely that they will move significantly below your current bidding range.

As i've often stated before, for the size of the city, Boston does not have a lot of hotel rooms, and even a small amount of demand can easily move hotel rate higher.

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

[bmansfie]

Thanks Romelle! Good advice on the Trolley. Since we're going to be limited by dad's walking ability, I'll make sure we pay attention to the location of stops. The website say that the trolley's arrive at 10-15 minute intervals. Did you find this to be the case, or was it longer? Our Groupon comes with a free "harbor cruise" as well. Did you take advantage of this, and if yes, was it worthwhile?

I was considering staying farther out, since public transit is so good in Boston, but I think you've convinced me to bite the bullet and stay in downtown. The only thing I might consider is parking the car further out and taking public transit from/to the car when we arrive/depart. I've found some info online that says that some MBTA stations (Riverside) allow multiple day overnight parking for as little as $7 per day.

[Romelle]

It seemed like the trolley waits were more in the 20 minute range, but we might have just hit some bubbles in the schedule?

We did do the harbor cruise. My son and I were fascinated. One 13-year old grandson took a nap, and the other played with his iPod.

We all liked the US Constitution Tour.

Excellent idea on parking the car. I'd have never had a car in that city, but it was my son's choice.

Regarding the walking, it isn't flat.

Romelle

[bmansfie]

Just went with RMSMITH's bidding strategy and won two rooms (suites really, with kitchens, which we will make use of) at the Residence Inn Cambridge for $130 per night for two nights, Thu, August 15th & Fri, August 16th. I'm pretty happy with this win. Thanks everyone (especially thereuare) for helping the Newbie!

GO YANKEES!

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Nice win for this property and glad you are looking forward to your stay.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.