Huh??

Wow, you follow along pretty well around here... I'd never guess that you can't read most of what's being said!

Mig, were you able to find anything out about the rates in that hotel in Philly yet?


Don Cardi

Unforunately when I called the hotel last night she wasn't there. She must've called off. So I called the house and her cell phone again but she didn't answer. It is a pain trying to get ahold of her. I just hope I never need to get ahold of her in case of an emergency :rolleyes: . But I will try again today when she goes in for her shift. Sorry again

Thank you for your efforts, Mig. They are much appreciated.

Aww you are very welcome.

I was able to get ahold of Becky tonight at work so she was able to get the prices for us they are as follows:

1 room W/king size bed- $199.00 a night plus tax
1 room W/2 queen beds- $ 212.80 a night plus tax

In order for Becky to negotiate a group rate she will need to know how many rooms we will need.

Thank you Mig. I'll do whatever you and the rest decide on doing. I have no problem with going to Philly, and no problem with staying in that hotel. So once the others give their opinions, you can take it from there.


Don Cardi

I'm telling 'ya....

If we go to Philly, we're much better off staying downtown, not only because of proximity to the attractions.

There are more hotels, which means more competition, which means lower rates.

Can you suggest a couple of them?


Don Cardi

What dates are we talking about?

http://www.philadelphia.com/travelnowcal/calendar.html


Why don't we TENTATIVELY use Friday August 18 - Sunday 20th. Just to get a base Idea of rates. Then we can go from there.

Personally I would like being in a modern hotel vs. a historic older one. And I really think that a waterfromt hotel is nicer. But that's my opinion. What's the big deal about staying a couple of miles from the town itself? If someone wants to go into the historic area of Philly, they take a short 5 minute cab ride. Heck, when we were in Chicago, we were 40 miles outside of the city itself. I'll never forget that cabride from hell!

Keep in mind three things Plaw. A Bar that stays open late in the hotel, free wireless internet ( for Malta ) and also that MIG's daughter works for the hotel chain that owns the hotel that she quoted us from. And that quote was not YET a discount rate.


Don Cardi

Well, I guess we have some time then.

Everytime I've been to Philly the last few years, we made our reservations just a few weeks in advance when the hotels had a better idea as to their occupancy and room availabilty, and are more likely to offer discounts, especially through the websites like Travelocity or Orbitz.

Everytime we were down there, we got some kind of special weekend package for around $100-125 a night, which usually included breakfast or free parking or some other perk(s).

I also prefer the newer and more modern hotels, although we once stayed in The Latham which is older, but very charming. It was kind of like the Plaza in NY used to be: None of that modern cheap hotel furniture which makes every room look exactly the same; each room was decorated differently, and they had windows which you could actually open.

As far as downtown vs. waterfront goes, believe me when I tell you that there is nothing worth seeing or doing down there except restaurants. At least in my opinion, anyay.

I much prefer being able to step out the door and being within walking distance of everything.

Just checked Hilton.com for some rates. You can get a room at the Hilton Philadelphia on City Avenue for the weekend of 8/18-8/20, inc. breakfast for $169/nite with king bed, $204 for executive floor. Executive floor privileges vary from hotel to hotel, but they all have a lounge, which could be cool.

Embassy Suites City Center, which also gives breakfast, plus they have happy hour every night included in your room, have rates of $179-$199 for those dates, depending on which suite you book. It seems very centrally located, within walking distance of museums, etc. and 1.8 miles to Penns Landing.

Embassy Suites is also owned by Hilton, so Becky should be able to get us a discount there as well. Embassy Suites sounds like a great deal to me. But that's my 2 cents worth.

Just for kicks, I checked the Waldorf Astoria and the Millenium Hilton on those dates. Inc. Breakfast, a king bed deluxe room at The Waldorf is $329 per night, and the Millenium, near Ground Zero, is $209. The Embassy Suites, which is also downtown and offers harbor views of the Statue of Liberty, is $225 per night for a King suite with harbor view. If you can live without the view, it's $206.

Just thought you might want NYC rates as well.

I'M IN!!!!!!!!!!!


Don Cardi

Thanks for all the info guys.

Ok, I know we are in the talking stages and there is plenty of time, so I'll just give my views, with every intention of going to see you guys no matter where we end up.

It looks as tho, at this point, Philly and NYC are the only real choices. Of the two, I'd pick NYC.

And as far as location in Philly, I'd be tempted to go along with PLaw. Maybe being from CA, I'm not used to hailing cabs (never do) and like the idea of walking out of my hotel and having everything fairly close.

Plus, when I went to NYC two years ago, I believe it was PLaw who suggested hotels to me. I ended up at the Edison, which at that time was $150. and it was within walking distance to everything. It wasn't brand new nor real luxurious but it was very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. I trust his judgement and may ask him again for assistance if I go to NYC again.

I know the Aug. 18th date was just tossed in to check hotel rates. However, I like the idea of August, cause the weather should be to my liking. :p However, can we make it the weekend before or after????? I understand we can't make petty changes to satisfy everyone, or we'd never get this show on the road, but just thought I'd ask.

It's nice to toss around this info because everyone will get an idea of what kind of expenses/tastes we are looking at. I like to plan these things. :p

Thanks again everyone and continue to post your thoughts/suggestions.


TIS

TIS, You're right about so many things. NYC IS great. However, it can also expensive. And hotel rooms seem to be on the rise BIG time. Downtown is much less expensive, but doesn't offer the restaurants, shopping and other attractions of midtown. It does, however, offer Little Italy, Chinatown, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and Ground Zero, of course. Then there's Century 21, one of THE best shopping experiences in NYC, IMHO.

So, it really depends on what we want to do and what we want to see. And, as far as dates, I think those would absolutely be flexible.

Hi SB!!

Like I mentioned earlier, it's my intention (if possible) to go to NYC after Philly (should we end up in Philly). I'm browsing prices now. Like I said I stayed at the Edison (47th St./Broadway I believe)last time. My question is, is that area considered East, West, South or Upper. :p Where the heck was I????


TIS

You were on the west side of midtown.

For Monetary reasons we might not be able to stay at the same place as everyone else, just incase you are going for a group deal we can't be guaranteed to be able to afford it. Just an FYI

I remember you mentioning that before... if I make it to NY, you'll take me there, right?

I remember you mentioning that before... if I make it to NY, you'll take me there, right? [/b][/quote]Well Zia, does this mean you're thinking about it???? You'll be on break from school right? Feel free to add any input you like. We're all open to discussion.

TIS

SC/Geoff, what are your thoughts. Where do you want to go. Speak up lads.

I remember you mentioning that before... if I make it to NY, you'll take me there, right? [/b][/quote]Let me think about it....YES!!

TIS, if you go on priceline.com, they have a great map of NYC broken down by neighborhood. Here it is: NYC Map . Hope that helps.

I've done quite a few searches and any good hotel in either Phialdelphia or Manhatten is going to cost $200 and up per night. Personally that don't matter to me. However I feel this is a group venture and we need to find something that is affordable, satisfying and agreeable to all of us. If some need to stay at another hotel because 6 of us choose to stay at a more expensive hotel, then to me that defeats the whole purpose of getting together. And it's not fair. In that case I'd rather we choose a hotel that everyone can stay at, this way we can all be together.

We must try and find something that best suits us ALL.

Maybe someone can come up with another Idea. Another place for us to go. I don't know.

We do have plenty of time to work with here and hopefully we can come up with someplace that is suitable for all who are really serious about attending.


Don Cardi

I agree with you DC. If we don't get in the same hotel together than why even bother. I know what you mean DMC $200+ a night is out of my price range but maybe we can figure something out. I still would like to know when and not where.

August 18-20 sounds great to me, a nice break before school starts.

I see a lot of "JFK Airport Hotels" and things like that, has anyone ever stayed at one of these? Are they better or worse than others?

Those hotels here in New York often have "short-stay" rates available (if you catch my drift).

Don Cardi

More food for thought....

Last April when checking flights to Michigan, I couldn't believe that the cheapest flight I could get was $450.- $550. Twice as much as I paid to go to NYC. Anyway, thru Priceline, I thought I'd "name my price", which guaranteed departure/arrival between 6:00 a.m. & 10:00 p.m. (no overnight flights), and on a major airline. For the heck of it, and being willing to take the gamble, I put in 250., well they came back with a $327. which is still over $150. less than I was finding searching "regular" flights.

Now, I know they do the same thing with hotels and looking thru the Priceline site, you can choose (I used NYC since I have a vague idea of the area as compared to Philly, which I don't know at all) whether you want a 2,3,4 star hotel showing a map (SB provided) so you can check the areas you're willing to stay, and put in a price you're willing to pay, then they'll either accept it or offer you another price. The thing is, once you purchase it, there are no refunds and/or changes. Anyone ever use this for a hotel before??? Another snag would be, we'd have to order rooms at one time, by one person to guarantee we are all in the same hotel.

Another suggestion which I haven't followed up on yet, is I have noticed with some hotels they offer a "group" rate, in many cases for 5 or more rooms. I'm guessing we'll have around 5 rooms no????? I don't know how much of a discount they're talking but we could check that.

Finally, DC, I don't get you're last reply. :p JFK airport area is no good???????

TIS