pumpkin

I just bid on priceline and got the Mariott on Pear Tree Lane. Was hoping to get another hotel, but that's okay.

Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge about this. I've never done priceline before, and am not unhappy about the price, but just wondering if there is anything I should know.
Thanks,
Jean

Andrew

I have no experience with this hotel but lots with Priceline for hotels. First of all, if you care about bed type (two beds vs. one) you need to call the Marriott front desk and have them set your bed preference in your reservation - otherwise, you may get what they have most of when you check in. Call the actual front desk, not Marriott worldwide reservations. Since all Marriotts are non-smoking now that's not an issue, but with Priceline it's otherwise a good idea to set a smoking preference also.

While you're on the phone with the Marriott, ask about parking charges (if you care or will have a car) since Priceline does not cover extra charges for parking, if the hotel charges.

Beyond that, read the Trip Advisor reviews of the Marriott and glean whatever information you can about it. If the reviews aren't good (how bad could they be, it's a Marriott?), don't worry too much - just read the reviews for information.

Clifton

I don't know what condition it's in these days, so my last contact there was probably 8 to 10 years ago (a local at the time, but met with friends in town and it was tired then - I have to hope it's been refurbished in all that time though)


But I can comment on location, although I'm guessing you're just in for a layover. Like most airport hotels, it's not really within walking distance to anything but other hotels and parking garages. You won't be at all convenient to downtown, but the metro does run from the airport itself

stumpworks73

I stayed at this location a while ago. It's been recently remodeled. The rooms are state of the art for Marriott. The rooms will be nicer than any other airport hotel.

Clifton is correct about the location. You are across the freeway from the airport and surrounded by parking lots.

Good news is that it's the quickest shuttle ride at the St. Louis airport.

annesherrod

If you want a "taste" of St Louis, this is NOT the place. I find that whole area dim and depressing.

I think I read another thread you were visitng with a child? Maybe I have confused you with another poster.

If you need quick access to airport than it is OK. Other than that - please go anywhere else.... Really. It is not close to anything. I had a meeting there a few months ago and I thought it was horrid!
Try to stay midtown/Clayton/ Central West end.....

misty_in_stl

I live in St. Louis and while I don't have first hand experience with that Marriott, I can echo what the other posters said about its location. It's great if you need it for a layover or night before an early flight, but it's not in the best location to base your stay in St. Louis. You'll definitely need a car to get to the major attractions (although you could take the metrolink from the airport, but they charge a premium when departing from the airport) and it's not the best/safest part of town.

Liz5959

Anne she already won and paid for that hotel, so I think we should try to help her make the best of it.

Yes, Jean, it really isn't the best location choice. But since you were interested in using the Metrolink, you now can do so easily. I have to assume that there are shuttles from the hotel to the airport. Easy access there to the Metrolink. You can get downtown to the stadium. 3 stops after the stadium stop is the stop for the Arch.

Only one of the lines of the Metrolink go to the Airport, but it is easy to change to to the correct line at the DeBaliviere stop. (Horribly pronounced as de-boll-iver).

If you want to go to the City Museum for your grandson, you would get off at the Union Station stop and walk North. You will have to look at a map for specific directions, although it should be easy. City Museum is on Washington at 15th street. The Union Station Metrolink stop is at 18th Street and Clark.

Put the number for St. Louis County Cabs/Yellow cabs into your cell phone in case you need them. 314-993-TAXI (8294).

Without a car, I have no idea where you are going to eat around the hotel. But maybe you can just eat while you're out on your adventures. Good Luck. And come back more more questions. We will all help you if we can.

mscleo

The hotel itself is fine - no worries there. You will definitely need a vehicle, however, to get around. As another poster stated, there are no restaurants near the Marriott other than the ones inside the hotel. Second, St. Louis is not a "walk around, let's catch the bus kinda town". Everyone that can, drives. Another reason to rent a vehicle is the fact that St. Louis does not have the greatest transportation system in the world, and many of the major attractions are a bit of a distance from each other. If you relied on Metro buses or the Metrolink, you'd spend a lot of your time waiting, rather than siteseeing. On top of it, the DeBaliviere station has had some issues lately with crime and assaults and such, and while they have beefed up security at the station, for me personally, I'd feel more secure with renting a car.

The hotel is in an area where there is nothing around but other hotels, parking lots and the airport. You aren't near the downtown area. If you had other alternatives, I would have suggested a hotel in the downtown area; since you've already won with Priceline, it's okay - you'll make the best of it. Just do yourself a favor - rent a car.

annesherrod

I have never done priceline - I always assume there is an "out" clause, etc...I deal with contracts all day long - there is always an "out" clause in my dealings,.....
I figured she could rebook elsewhere.

But, as other posters suggested you certainly can make the best of it. It is near metrolink and the Highways. YOu can get to all the major attractions fairly quickly. It is a safe area for all intents and purposes.
Marriotts are generally consisitant with food and quality of beds and linens. We stay in them all the tiem.

I think your son might enjoy the Loop - Fun restaurants for his age - Blueberry Hill....Fun shops for music, etc... Great people waatching!!

Andrew

I've been using Priceline for hotels for years. If there was an easy "out" clause with Priceline, then everyone would use it and their prices would be much higher. The fact that their "name your own price" service is non-refundable/non-changeable makes it viable for the hotels to participate in it. That said, they did refund my money once when my flight into a city was canceled due to weather - they asked only a few questions before refunding my money without any hassle. But I couldn't have just called them and said, "I changed my plans" to get a refund.

annieak

That particular Marriott is nice - we stayed there a couple of years ago and it was great. Very clean facility and nice staff. If you need information about the area (not what you asked for, but who knows!) then you've gotten a lot on recent posts. Enjoy St. Louis!

pumpkin

Thanks everyone.

Yes, I cannot change my mind now. It appears that the Marriott charges $9/day for parking, so I thought I would pick up the car on Sunday AM when we check out, so was trying to save not so much the $ as much as the "hassle" of driving around on Saturday late afternoon & evening.

If you have a suggestion for what to do (driving) Saturday from about 2:30 till dinner then maybe it's worth it. We have to leave about 4 PM on Sunday to drive SE for an appointment, and this is the only chance I have of seeing any of the sights.

Thanks again,
Jean

annesherrod

What type of things are you both interested in?

Museums? Walks? Zoo? - You may want to go to Forest Park and have lunch at the Boat HOuse and go to one of the museums. There is a special exhibit at the Art Museum.
http://www.slam.org/
It is on China's Ming dynasty.

You may want to drive to The Loop in University City - about 10 min from your hotel - and go to Blueberry Hill - that might be exciting for a teen.
http://www.ucityloop.com/

The Arch of course would be an obvious suggestion.

Clifton

There's another post about the Basilica. It's not something that comes up on most people's radar, including locals - but the St. Louis Basilica (Cathedral) on Lindell has the largest mosaics collection in the US, and second in the world. Really beautiful, if you like that sort of thing.

The Missouri Botanical Gardens (aka Shaw's Garden) should be really nice right about now. Largest Japanese Gardens outside of Japan, but also many other nice gardens and an indoor rainforest under a large geodesic dome.

http://www.mobot.org/

Not sure which way exactly you're going when you head SE by the way, but on the Illinois side, just a couple miles from downtown is Cahokia Mounds. One of the few UNESCO sites in the US. Ancient city and inexplicably built giant mounds built by stone age Mississippians who subsequently disappeared.

http://www.cahokiamounds.com/

pumpkin

Thanks everyone. I made it there and back, and the hotel was great! Room was beautiful, staff was friendly and helpful, and there were 2 computers we could use in the little store/coffee shop adjacent to the lobby, as well as a business center. They have an indoor & outdoor pool, although we ended up not using it. There is a Bar-B-Q Restaurant right next door which was an easy walk up the hill. As tired as we were after our flight and a little sight-seeing, it was just the ticket for a casual dinner before heading back to the hotel. We had a great night's sleep (the sheets were heaven) except for the fire alarm and the evacuation which ensued at 1 AM.

Thanks to everyone,
Jean