Anyone besides me have a problem with some York hotels upping their rates during York week?
I know of two or three that almost double their rates.
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Unfortunately, not news or unusual. Doesn’t mean I like it though.
Mike
They have been doing that for many years. But now that the York area is pretty much overbuilt with hotels (at least it sure seems that way), and in light of the fact that the number of TCA York Meet attendees is decreasing, I wouldn't be surprised to see them start competing with each other at some point in the future by offering some better deals.
Try Air B&B.
I use both hotels and air B&B with much success. AirB&B can get you decent rates in unique personal settings at about 1/2 or 2/3 of the prevailing hotel rates. I prefer a Wyndham whenever but a bedroom with kitchen privileges are usually decent. Just went to San Antonio TX. Hotels were $135,+/- air B&B averaged about $66. San Francisco, Bermuda, Little Rock and San Diego were about the same for me.
Also many hotels will price match internet pricing. I just scored low ball rates at Indy last week. You must ask, they do not offer internet matching.
Trainman
yes. The place I have stayed at for my 4 or 5 trips went from 101.00 to 167.00 a night. The place had been updated supposedly since last York event.
I actually thought it was maybe a mistake on the enet so I called. It was not and thats when I searched for another place. I’ll miss that lounge downstairs, but not for 67.00
i don’t know about other locations. Allen is probably correct in his answere, but not with 67 a night increase😳
Larry😊
I noticed that hotels at the beach up north charge more in the summer than in winter. Gee, I wonder why that is?
trainman129 posted:Anyone besides me have a problem with some York hotels upping their rates during York week?
I know of two or three that almost double their rates.
Only two or three? All of the hotels dramatically raise their rates during TCA York.
Except the infamous Rodeway Inn, hmm?
I think that I get a very good rate at the Wyndham. I have been staying there for many years 5 or 6 nights each time.
How about the York Hotel Menards owns ? LOL...
Rodeway Inn's on the list. Changes from$51.00 to $82.00.
trainman129 posted:Rodeway Inn's on the list. Changes from$51.00 to $82.00.
I know they have been a prime target for forum "jokes", but I've stayed there about 7 times. Being less than 2 miles from the fairgrounds in a very decent, inexpensive room, is fine with me.
Joe Hohmann posted:trainman129 posted:Rodeway Inn's on the list. Changes from$51.00 to $82.00.
I know they have been a prime target for forum "jokes", but I've stayed there about 7 times. Being less than 2 miles from the fairgrounds in a very decent, inexpensive room, is fine with me.
Although it looks a bit sketchy, the Rodeway doesn't look nearly as scary as the Super 8 has become. If you haven't had any bad luck, then good for you.
Drove past the Rodeway Inn several years ago with my wife and she said "absolutely not -- no way, no how!" Single guys seem to like it.
Have a reservation for another place just north of town for $159. Notice their rate this week is only $89.
IMO, best bet is to join the loyalty group for one of the chains and use it. I tend to use my points when I go to York, as the prices tend to be higher than what I normally play.
Mallard4468 posted:IMO, best bet is to join the loyalty group for one of the chains and use it. I tend to use my points when I go to York, as the prices tend to be higher than what I normally play.
That, and also don't be afraid to consider hotels slightly farther away than York itself. No matter what brands/amenities you prefer, you cost is likely to go down a bit when you move further away.
Everyone's tolerance for how far away is acceptable obviously depends on their own situation and what they are comfortable with driving.
I stay just south of Harrisburg. Started ~20 years ago when you still needed to wait for someone to either leave the hobby or die in order to get a room to open up during York (that's obviously not the case any longer, though the premium for the proximity to the event still applies, as hotels ALWAYS do). My rough bill for 3 nights (not per night, this total is for all 3 nights) this coming trip is just under $190 (though I did use some frequent visitor points to get the rate down a bit). That's not a hotel with a lot of amenities, but I've always found it clean and it's a good situation for me.
For me, ~20 miles doing a combination of Interstate 83 and route 30 to get to the Fairgrounds is not unbearable. Even with a car that gets only low-moderate gas mileage, I'm adding less than $10 in gas a day to save a lot more than that on the hotel bill. And there are no highway tolls to consider on that route.
Some folks don't want to drive at all for one reason or another (don't like driving at night, likes to stay right where they will enjoy meals and maybe a few adult beverages that would make it unwise/illegal to drive, etc.), so for cases like that, staying right near York is the way to go, even if it does cost more for the convenience.
On the flip side of that coin, I've had folks ask me why I don't just drive from home each day since I live "close" being just outside of Philadelphia, ~ 2 hours drive each way (but tolls, daily commute traffic congestion, etc - NO WAY!). To me that would be nuts, but I guess for people visiting from farther away, that might look like an attractive option.
The bottom line is you need to try things for yourself if you don't know what's important to you, so you can learn what to prioritize.
I like the Wyndham, less than 2 miles from the fairgrounds. That's where all the action is.
eddie g posted:I like the Wyndham, less than 2 miles from the fairgrounds. That's where all the action is.
If they don't give your room away after confirming your reservation the night before you arrive.
I've stayed at the LaQuinta in York, the Hampton Inn Hanover, and up by the Turnpike. While the LaQuinta is convenient, they jack up their prices for the fall York. Not so much for April. The others are a 20 minute drive so that's not to bad.
Camping at the fairgrounds is always an option
eddie g posted:I like the Wyndham, less than 2 miles from the fairgrounds. That's where all the action is.
Just try avoiding one of the rooms that has NO window. When I went to part the drapes...bare wall!
Dave45681 posted:Mallard4468 posted:IMO, best bet is to join the loyalty group for one of the chains and use it. I tend to use my points when I go to York, as the prices tend to be higher than what I normally play.
That, and also don't be afraid to consider hotels slightly farther away than York itself. No matter what brands/amenities you prefer, you cost is likely to go down a bit when you move further away.
Everyone's tolerance for how far away is acceptable obviously depends on their own situation and what they are comfortable with driving.
I stay just south of Harrisburg. Started ~20 years ago when you still needed to wait for someone to either leave the hobby or die in order to get a room to open up during York (that's obviously not the case any longer, though the premium for the proximity to the event still applies, as hotels ALWAYS do). My rough bill for 3 nights (not per night, this total is for all 3 nights) this coming trip is just under $190 (though I did use some frequent visitor points to get the rate down a bit). That's not a hotel with a lot of amenities, but I've always found it clean and it's a good situation for me.
For me, ~20 miles doing a combination of Interstate 83 and route 30 to get to the Fairgrounds is not unbearable. Even with a car that gets only low-moderate gas mileage, I'm adding less than $10 in gas a day to save a lot more than that on the hotel bill. And there are no highway tolls to consider on that route.
Some folks don't want to drive at all for one reason or another (don't like driving at night, likes to stay right where they will enjoy meals and maybe a few adult beverages that would make it unwise/illegal to drive, etc.), so for cases like that, staying right near York is the way to go, even if it does cost more for the convenience.
On the flip side of that coin, I've had folks ask me why I don't just drive from home each day since I live "close" being just outside of Philadelphia, ~ 2 hours drive each way (but tolls, daily commute traffic congestion, etc - NO WAY!). To me that would be nuts, but I guess for people visiting from farther away, that might look like an attractive option.
The bottom line is you need to try things for yourself if you don't know what's important to you, so you can learn what to prioritize.
Along the same lines... Carlisle (unless the car show is on) - 35-45 minute drive depending on the side of town (Travelodge and Motel 6 on north side and Super 8 on south side are clean and reasonable - less than half of staying in York) and Lancaster (lots of choices) are both economical choices. Taking 74 from Carlisle is a scenic drive, and it puts you in town at the fairgrounds. Coming in from Lancaster might take some creativity to avoid traffic.
Joe, That's because they didn't like you. I always get a room down the hall from the computers on the left facing the parking lot.
Mallard4468 posted:Along the same lines... Carlisle (unless the car show is on) - 35-45 minute drive depending on the side of town (Travelodge and Motel 6 on north side and Super 8 on south side are clean and reasonable - less than half of staying in York) and Lancaster (lots of choices) are both economical choices. Taking 74 from Carlisle is a scenic drive, and it puts you in town at the fairgrounds. Coming in from Lancaster might take some creativity to avoid traffic.
And right there you demonstrate the point of how it is a different decision for each of us. 
Your suggestions (for me) hit that point of where the hassle of being farther away starts to be a negative in my evaluation.
I regularly go to the TCA Museum (and sometimes other attractions) on Wednesday, and I used to occasionally stay in that area on Wednesday night just so I could visit the PA RR Museum on Thursday morning for a few hours before heading for the Noon opening on Thursday. (this was before I ever had a table, so I didn't need to be early enough for any setup time)
While that was a do-able drive for Thursday late morning (since leaving mostly after the morning commute to head from Lancaster to York), I can't imagine wanting to do that each day to get to/from my hotel (especially during morning rush hour on Friday - of course maybe there are locations still within Lancaster farther West that maybe are a shorter drive). I think the same for some other locations people sometimes suggest (Gettysburg, Carlisle as you suggest, etc).
Now if I lived only an hour away in any of those directions, I might think differently (big benefit there of being able to drop off stuff each day, eat & sleep at my own house, etc). But the delta for those places vs the relatively "straight shot" down 83 with the short trip along 30 from there is good for me. Then again, I enjoy the social aspect of having dinner with train friends to talk about stuff from the meet on Thursday and Friday, so I would miss that if I were to be driving home each day instead. Also, while I'm not trying to be a curmudgeon about it, scenic drives don't mean much to me when visiting York. I am very comfortable driving on highways (realizing some are not or may not favor it), so for me, that capability is a huge plus.
Dave45681 posted:Mallard4468 posted:Along the same lines... Carlisle (unless the car show is on) - 35-45 minute drive
And right there you demonstrate the point of how it is a different decision for each of us
I my case, my drive to York is 1 hour and 50 minutes. It makes no sense for me to drive 1/3rd that distance to save the price of 1/2 of a boxcar.
Best Western has a room on Thursday 18 October for $113 plus tax & fees. Wyndham Garden has one for $121 plus tax & fees. Rodeway just $64 plus tacks & fleas.
I pretty much stay at the Wingate by Wyndham at 83/30. I also have stayed at the Wyndham Garden and La Quinta which is now owned by Wyndham and Aa Super 8 across from the Wingate which after one time would never stay there again. Past previous years I had stayed in Lancaster, Paradise but now prefer being close to the fairgrounds and not having to drive a ways. Plus I like the hot breakfast Wyndham has.........Paul
