Finally! I'm referring to my flight to Boston for PubCon next month, by the way.
Once I finally talked myself into going (100%, no backing out, definitely going), I spent three whole days (geez!) deciding on my exact travel & hotel arrangements. There were certain things that were important to me, though, and I'll share with you what I considered and learned in the process - especially useful for those of you that are making the same trip 😉
First, you have to go to http://www.pubcon.com/ and register for the event. That one is a no-brainer. (laugh)
My next order of business was to book a flight. I checked fares on Priceline*, Travelocity* and CheapTickets* (because I've used them before and they had great rates and the whole process was super-easy).
* surprise, surprise! not affiliate links - haha 😀
I got totally sidetracked at Priceline.com. It was that nice little offer to book my flight and hotel together into one package. Of course, that got me thinking about hotel options... and so I started scanning the combo packages.
I spent hour after hour after hour at that, I tell you. I went back and forth from each package deal, to the reviews pages, to Google maps so that I could see how far they were from the Hynes Convention Center.
GEEEEZ 😯 LOL
Here are a few of the important details I learned in the process:
- You should use Public Transportation in Boston (parking is expensive, and there is a marathon on Monday April 17th which will have some of the primary roads closed).
- The transportation in Boston is called the "T-Line" (useful info if you dont want to sound stupid when you get there!)
- You need to ask (specifically) how close your hotel is to this "T-Line". Some of them are several blocks from the nearest stop - and cabs can be expensive (and again, get you tied up in traffic, and issues with the roads that are closed).
- READ HOTEL REVIEWS. You'll find out a lot by others who have stayed there!!
- I've learned that "complimentary internet access" MIGHT mean that it costs you $10/day AND that you have to be in their lobby or "business center" to access it. Be sure to ask about this - because some of them offer it FREE (really free) and have access set up right in the rooms (nice!).
Â
After all of my searching (which included going to bed, and waking up the next morning to search again for several hours)... none of the packages really suited me. The Sheraton was already sold out, which is connected to the Hynes Convention Center, so my next search was on Google - to find other hotels within walking distance (see those search results: Boston Hotels + Map ).
I made a few calls, asked lots of questions... and then finally settled on the Hotel Commonwealth, which was recommended by WebmasterWorld. They had a block of rooms reserved there with a special rate for PubCon attendees. But what sealed the deal was the fact that they have a Sushi bar right in the hotel! 😀
A few other reasons for choosing Hotel Commonwealth:
- Um, the great rate, obviously!
- Recommended by WMW, so you'll probably be in good company of plenty of other PubCon go'ers
- The public transportation comes directly to (or into, I believe) the hotel - and the Hynes Convention Center is only one stop down. This means you will have easy access to a quick ride, and also be close enough to walk if you like.
- Did I mention there is a Sushi bar? 😀
- FREE in-room high speed internet access (not the $10/day free, but the real free) - both wireless and Cat5 access in the rooms.
- There is a lounge in the hotel lobby that is open until 2am (that also serves sushi!), so you'll have a great spot for late night brainstorming/networking sessions... or an easy spot to grab a bite to eat after 10pm when everything else is closed :p
I booked my flight separately at CheapTickets.com, where I found a great rate and the exact times that I wanted to depart & arrive. And let me tell you, it feels GOOD to finally have all of my trip plans finalized! WHEW
By the way, I talked to Chrissie and Teli today and we all decided to room together at the Commonwealth so we could hang out and share notes. So if you're planning to be there, watch out for the girl-geek trio 😉
About Lynn Terry
Thanks, Rick 😉
And yes, I LOVE Sushi! Lobster is not my favorite, but I'll have to try it while I'm there. I'm sure it's better in Boston than it is in TN (LOL)! When it comes to seafood, I really favor Crab Legs... which is a favorite with my daughter too. I learned a great secret about steaming them, by the way, so preference is to make them at home!
UH-OH ...
I'd better warn the Bostonians that the dynamic Internet marketing gals are coming to town.
Lynn ... Did you mention that you LIKE sushi???? LOLOL
Don't forget that lobster is GREAT here in New England too.
I think you girls will have a SUPER time in Boston.
Ciao!
Rick Wilson aka CorpRebel
This is going to be lots of fun and I'm so looking forward to meeting you and Chrissie in person :D.
On another note, I had forgotten all about CheapTickets, oh well. I booked through Orbitz which wasn't too bad at all.
PubCon 2006, here we come!
~ Teli
I'm looking forward to it as well, Teli 😀
A "neon shirt that blinks tourist", huh? Where can I get one of those?! LOL Seriously, Thank you for the tips, Dan!! Anything else you can think of would be greatly appreciated 😉
Where DID you find that way cool emoticon???
In Boston, it's actually called the "T". If you ask someone about the "T-line", you might as well wear a neon t-shirt that blinks "TOURIST". 😉
Actually, the best way to do it is to ask "Where's the closest T stop?" That's how everyone in the area refers to them.
The Red, Orange and Green Lines take you to most of the places you'd want to go. Avoid the Blue Line.
Also, Boston is known as a great walking city. You can reach loads of cool places on foot in a short time. Check with your hotel's concierge (and the locals attending, of course!) about what's reeeeally closeby.
Y'know, I'm not familiar with the Hotel Commonwealth offhand. It might have changed its name. But I'll check out what's near there and let you know, Lynny!!
Thank you Lynn for taking the time to do all the research and for finding us a great room with free internet access! I can't wait to see you again and Teli I look forward to meeting you in person! Funny enough I am moving from here where you live 10 mins. from me and meeting you in Boston LOL
It's going to be a ton of fun and of course educational 😉 I haven't seen my bestest friend Rae in person - in forever either! I can't wait!
You CAN drink the water.
Although the beer at the Sam Adams brewery is much better!!
You're welcome! I'm really looking forward to it 😉
(vegas!, vegas!, vegas!)
^^ a subliminal message to Teli & Chrissie, as I'm already trying to talk them into joining me at PubCon Vegas this fall TOO - hehe
I'm looking forward to meeting you too Chrissie. When are you moving?
And Lynn, you don't have to plant any subliminal messages for me, I've already made up my mind to visit Vegas LOL 😀
~ Teli
SAWEEET!
Last time I got real lucky at the slots 😉 😀 hehe
Third times a charm 😉 I really don't need much nudging to go to Vegas hehe.
Teli, I am leaving here on Friday [gasp] to West Melbourne. If you want to grab a coffee at Starbucks let me know 😉 Nothing like short notice! LOL