The Hyatt is sold out.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Two days after posting to the main Arisia site and this livejournal community (in response to a posted question, not as an announcement post as promised, significantly lacking the "hotel" tag). I just got confirmation from innkeeper@arisia.

I am displeased. This may be the first Arisia I miss since I moved to this area.

I tried the overflow hotel once, and determined that it was not worth doing.

Comments

[jasra]

Not just the quiet rooms?

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Correct. Although I'm ashamed to say I didn't check until just now.

[jarien.livejournal.com]

I was in the overflow hotel last year. It would have been fine *if*, and that's a HUGE if, the shuttles had run on time, and for the hours advertised. Since they did not, it was awkward at best and I took a taxi at the worst. I'm not sure I'd go to Arisia if I were to be staying in the overflow again.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

I had the same experience the first year they did the overflow hotel, and gave extensive feedback.

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

I also called the hotel to double check. The only availability is checking in on Sunday.

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

This is a different overflow hotel and I believe is closer than any of the other overflow hotels. Assuming the weather is good or at least tolerable [yeah, I know] it looks like it is a .8 mile walk or about 20 minutes along the Charles. In addition the rate at the overflow hotel is $99 per night which is a savings of about $25-$30 per night when you include taxes. So, you might want to check it out.

[donnad.livejournal.com]

I was able to book a room late last night. They offered me several room choices at the time. As I understood it, it was sold out, but I tried anyway and have a confirmation.

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

For A'10, Arisia's overflow hotel is the newly renovated Courtyard by Marriott, next door to Trader Joe's and Microcenter. The nightly room rate at the overflow is less than Hyatt's, and will have regular shuttle buses going between it and the Hyatt hotel.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

The room choices I got had some of the nights I wanted removed. Did you get all the nights you wanted?

[donnad.livejournal.com]

Yep, Friday through Monday.
The only restriction I had was if I wanted a queen room, it was not available on Friday. I chose a king instead.

Apparently there are three floors of rooms unavailable this year. Really bad planning on the part of the hotel considering.

At least this is the last year in that hotel.

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

How much was the taxi each direction? How long did you generally have to wait for a shuttle and was it horrendously crowded?

[jarien.livejournal.com]

The taxi was ~10 bucks one way. I waited for 45 minutes for the shuttle, when it was advertised to run um... every 15? Every 20? The Arisia hotel had no information for me as to why it was not running on time, nor when it would finally show up, so I gave up and called a cab. It was way, way too far to walk to last year's overflow hotel. This year's might be closer, but keep in mind that temperatures in Boston in January are not kind, and sidewalks are sometimes inaccessible due to snow issues. Walking isn't always going to be a viable option.

The shuttle was never overcrowded, on the other hand. But maybe that's because no one knew when it would be running and a lot of taxis got a lot of business out of Arisia instead.

[jarien.livejournal.com]

Last year's experiences with shuttles (and apparently in other years as well) shows that the shuttles aren't reliable as con transportation. Word to the wise, make sure you know what you'll do to get back to the overflow hotel if the shuttles just vanish again this year.

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

URGH.

I'm a Bostonian so I know how cold and crappy it is here in the winter. Even in a mild winter, I wouldn't make that trek on foot. Hence my desire for cab information.

$10 each way is....irritating. I mean if I split it with ppl each direction it's not horrible, but still. That would add money to my con budget I'd rather not spend.

One of the reasons I want to be in the main hotel is so I can have some place to go chill out (I pretty much require afternoon naps during a con).

Meh.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

also unreliable or just plain unavailable for various reasons were the food trucks. that was kind of disappointing. fortunately, the pizza delivery was $5 for a large.

#

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that the overflow is so close to Trader Joes and all its deliciousness. I'm feeling a bit nervous given complaints about shuttle service last year being unreliable. Have you made changes to the shuttle system this year?

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

Being next door to Trader Joes means lots of tasty treats for cheap.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

if you're using the overflow hotel, sure; i wasn't certainly going to walk to and from the hotel for snacks - though the shuttle might make that a win this time.

are there any actual functions in the overflow? or is it just for placing one's hat.

last year, i brought a selection of my own tasty treats, which worked out well for late night; otherwise, i ordered in twice. was a cheap method to feed.

prior year i used the hotel food services more so, and while good, i'd rather spent my $$$ elsewhere (and did).

#

[dda.livejournal.com]

are there any actual functions in the overflow? or is it just for placing one's hat.

There are no functions planned for the overflow hotel; it is strictly for individual room space.

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

Sorry I meant if you're staying in the overflow, there is at least walkable cheap eats. Delivery pizza is also truly a wonderful thing. I'm also a fan of in room delivery Chinese food fests. Less cheap than pizza, but more delicious dumplings.

[rosefox]

Given that it's October and already snowing, I fully expect to get snowed in this year and that 20 minute walk along the Charles will be like having icicles repeatedly shoved up your nose.

[jere7my.livejournal.com]

I've walked from the 57 bus stop on Comm Ave. to the hotel and back plenty of times (on purpose!), including during the blizzard last year, and that's slightly longer than the walk to TJ's. It can be unpleasant, but if you're reasonably hale and healthy, and have decent boots, it's certainly do-able.

[rosefox]

I grew up in NYC a block away from the Hudson. River winds in winter are pretty brutal. I certainly hope you're right and it won't be too bad!

[mneme]

Yeah, that was my problem last year (and the year before, though I actually made Arisia that year).

I reccomend trying to make a res, if you don't find a share, etc, mere days before the con, as often (see two years ago) the hotel opens up a bit when people realize they're going to miss the con for one reason or another.