Hotels convenient to Amtrak

[jiml]

The hubby has now changed his mind about booking a trip to Indy with points, since the eastbound Cardinal arrives there so late. He's thought of Carbondale, IL (where our son attended law school at SIU) as an alternative. I know some of the hotels convenient to I-57 in Marion and Carbondale, but not ones convenient to the Amtrak station. Any suggestions?

I saw a train spotting video shot in Carbondale awhile ago and believe there's a Hilton property of some sort almost next door.

Edit to add: Try Home2 Suites.

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

I saw a train spotting video shot in Carbondale awhile ago and believe there's a Hilton property of some sort almost next door.

I was Googling that this morning and saw that the Hilton property was 200-250 ft. away, just across the north-south main highway running along the W side of the station. (BTW, the Carbondale station was just a couple of blocks away from my son's apartment in law school, which was very convenient for trips to & from home, especially if he was returning to Carbondale at night.)

 

[The Quaking Widow]

The San Antonio station is within sight of several hotels, but you can’t walk there. arriving about 10 pm, the station personnel were kind enough to call a cab. BTW, there is also no public parking nearby, so when my relatives dropped me off on return trip, they couldn’t stick around.

Also, there’s nothing near Toledo station. Literally.

in my very limited experience, the best situation is at Kansas City, where there is a free shuttle that runs right by Union Station. . .

 

[Gp30sieb]

This reminds me of checking into a hotel across the street from the Essen Hauptbahnhof and the desk clerk apologizing for only having rooms facing the Bahnhofsvorplatz. I accepted his apology and tried to keep a straight face.

or the Holiday Inn/Ramada/whatever it is now in Cumberland.

 

[jis]

or the Holiday Inn/Ramada/whatever it is now in Cumberland.

Yup. That is my goto place in Cumberland. The desk clerk is quite used to people requesting trackside rooms there though.

There is a Marriott Courtyard by the Noma Metro station in Washington DC which is adjacent to the NEC. The checkin person has never been phased whenever I have requested a trackside room there. Once he even upgraded me to a corner room with better and broader view of the tracks leading to Union Station! This hotel is one Metro stop or a longish walk from Washington Union Station.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The San Antonio station is within sight of several hotels, but you can’t walk there. arriving about 10 pm, the station personnel were kind enough to call a cab. BTW, there is also no public parking nearby, so when my relatives dropped me off on return trip, they couldn’t stick around.

Also, there’s nothing near Toledo station. Literally.

in my very limited experience, the best situation is at Kansas City, where there is a free shuttle that runs right by Union Station. . .

I have to disagree about San Antonio if you are staying in any of the Hotels/Motels around St Paul Square.

There is a Staybridge Suites about 200 yards from the Station( the Amtrak OBS stay there during Layovers), the Best Western Riverwalk on E Commerce St. Is about 2 Blocks from the Station going West towards the Riverwalk,and there is a Metropolitan Motel about 2 Blocks away to the East on Commerce and a Holiday Inn Express 3 Blocks away going in the same Direction (East)on Commerce St.( Taxi and Ride Share Drivers don't want to take such short Trips)

Any of the multiple Motels/Hotels around the
Riverwalk( West of I-37 which is about a 6 Block Walk) might require a Cab or Rideshare if you have lots of Luggage .

 

[The Quaking Widow]

I have to disagree about San Antonio if you are staying in any of the Hotels/Motels around St Paul Square.

There is a Staybridge Suites about 200 yards from the Station( the Amtrak OBS stay there during Layovers), the Best Western Riverwalk on E Commerce St. Is about 2 Blocks from the Station going West towards the Riverwalk,and there is a Metropolitan Motel about 2 Blocks away to the East on Commerce and a Holiday Inn Express 3 Blocks away going in the same Direction (East)on Commerce St.( Taxi and Ride Share Drivers don't want to take such short Trips)

Any of the multiple Motels/Hotels around the
Riverwalk( West of I-37 which is about a 6 Block Walk) might require a Cab or Rideshare if you have lots of Luggage .

Thanks for correcting me, Bob. As a first timer arriving late at night, a 74 yr old single woman, I didn’t see anything nearby. As I had a reservation already, I was focused on getting there.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Thanks for correcting me, Bob. As a first timer arriving late at night, a 74 yr old single woman, I didn’t see anything nearby. As I had a reservation already, I was focused on getting there.

I understand, as you said it's late @ night, the area is sort of dark, signage is scarce, and if you haven't been there before and have Luggage, taking a Ride Share is a good idea.

 

[Maglev]

The
Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Midtown Manhattan/Penn Station
is right outside Moynihan Train Hall. I am not sure exactly which door gives access, nor how to cross the street, but it is very close. I glanced at rates, and it was $171 for March 1 but $413 for January 25. I got a standard room, but on an upper floor with a view; there is a building very close on the other side of the hotel, so those rooms have no view at all. The room itself was tiny but functional, and there was a decent breakfast.

Here's the view from my room, over the roof of what was then the Farley Building; and a view from the hotel lobby (the blue and white billboard is on Madison Square Garden):

 

[jiml]

The
Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Midtown Manhattan/Penn Station
is right outside Moynihan Train Hall. I am not sure exactly which door gives access, nor how to cross the street, but it is very close.

It was much easier to cross the street when Moynihan was under renovation and the street was a single lane obstructed by construction barriers. Jaywalking in New York isn't a smart idea, so probably need to walk to the lights at 8th or 9th Street to cross safely now. The hotel isn't large or important enough to warrant a tunnel, although it would have been easy to put one in during the construction.

My go-to hotel when traveling on Amtrak or taking in an event at MSG.

 

[Bob Dylan]

It was much easier to cross the street when Moynihan was under renovation and the street was a single lane obstructed by construction barriers. Jaywalking in New York isn't a smart idea, so probably need to walk to the lights at 8th or 9th Street to cross safely now. The hotel isn't large or important enough to warrant a tunnel, although it would have been easy to put one in during the construction.

My go-to hotel when traveling on Amtrak or taking in an event at MSG.

Ditto!

 

[PVD]

Something to mention is that there are many hotels that may be a bit further than walking distance, but have shuttles that will pick you up. Especially if they do airport runs and the train is in the same general direction. That's what I've done in Syracuse many times for the Embassy Suites in E Syracuse (nr Carrier Circle) and the one across from the Destiny Mall.

 

[Manny T]

Chicago has many hotels that are convenient to get to from Union station, especially if you include CTA as an option to reach them as opposed to walking.

The CTA has a small transit hub just across the street from Chicago Union Station where you can pick up the Bus 151. A ride northbound on that bus will put you within walking distance of pretty much every downtown and Michigan Avenue hotel in Chicago.

In D.C. there is the Phoenix Park Hotel out the front door and across the street from Union Station, with an Irish Pub, the Dubliner, in the lobby.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The CTA has a small transit hub just across the street from Chicago Union Station where you can pick up the Bus 151. A ride northbound on that bus will put you within walking distance of pretty much every downtown and Michigan Avenue hotel in Chicago.

In D.C. there is the Phoenix Park Hotel out the front door and across the street from Union Station, with an Irish Pub, the Dubliner, in the lobby.

I've stated in that DC Hotel and we had our Group Dinner during the Washington AU Gathering in the Pub.

 

[TimePeace]

Anyone have any comments about the Clarion Hotel Airport which is right behind the Maine Transportation Center in Portland Maine?

 

[PVD]

I've stated in that DC Hotel and we had our Group Dinner during the Washington AU Gathering in the Pub.

I like the Dubliner. At the end of the block around the corner is a Hilton that used to be Washington something, and a couple of blocks up NJ is the Hyatt Capitol Hill, and those are also good.

 

[jis]

I like the Dubliner. At the end of the block around the corner is a Hilton that used to be Washington something, and a couple of blocks up NJ is the Hyatt Capitol Hill, and those are also good.

There are at least a dozen reasonable to very good hotels around Union Station. The problem usually turns out to be their eye watering prices.

 

[PVD]

That's why I didn't mention some of the others, LOL. The place across from the Hyatt was the Liaison, and occasionally had reasonable deals, now it's a "boutique" priced place.

 

[railiner]

Hotels in Seattle tend to be quite expensive. The last time I was there, I stayed at the Embassy Suites next to King Street Station. I used Hilton points, enjoyed my stay and was extremely happy that my hotel was so close to the station.

I usually get decent rates at the Sleep Inn at SeaTac. Includes wifi, breakfast, and free shuttle to the light rail station…

 

[Rasputin]

Anyone have any comments about the Clarion Hotel Airport which is right behind the Maine Transportation Center in Portland Maine?

I have stayed there many times and regard it as a fine place. Short walk to and from the Portland Transportation Center. It is not near the airport.

 

[TimePeace]

I have stayed there many times and regard it as a fine place. Short walk to and from the Portland Transportation Center. It is not near the airport.

Yes I like the proximity to the bus station. When I return home from my upcoming trip, with luck I will get a bus from from BOS and then the next morning I can get a bus right to my home town here. In the past I've left my car there and just driven home but I don't have a car anymore so spending the night should be pretty comfortable if I have a room.

Thanks for the info!

D.

 

[Rasputin]

Yes I like the proximity to the bus station. When I return home from my upcoming trip, with luck I will get a bus from from BOS and then the next morning I can get a bus right to my home town here. In the past I've left my car there and just driven home but I don't have a car anymore so spending the night should be pretty comfortable if I have a room.

Thanks for the info!

D.

I am not sure what the present dining options are around the Clarion Hotel in Portland, Maine besides the hotel restaurant. Unfortunately, the Dennys which was a short walk from the hotel closed in September. There is a McDonalds a bit further which I have walked to and there may be a pizza place in the area.

 

[mackinaw chief]

I usually get decent rates at the Sleep Inn at SeaTac. Includes wifi, breakfast, and free shuttle to the light rail station…

When I was flying as passenger I would stay at the holiday inn SEA tac the one with the restaurant on rooftop that rotated with a grand piano awesome views and food.

The holiday inn in Chicago downtown is a bit pricey but great hotel a few blocks from union station. Or for a quick taxi ride to the Harris family HI Hostel on Ida b wells drive. Is great too. Otherwise you have cheap options at Ohare. My go to there is the best Western on Busse road Elk Grove village.

 

[BCL]

In Los Angeles the Metro Plaza is right across from the station, reasonable for a city center. I found it clean, if a little (a lot) dated, but I just want a bed. Nearby is The Original Philippe, with breakfasts, and dip sandwiches (one dip is enough). I had an amazing lamb dip.

I was thinking of staying there over the years, but in the end I chose different accommodations during several trips in the last 6 months. The reviews aren't great, and when I actually saw it from the outside it just seemed like an odd looking place. And it feels kind of odd dealing with a hotel that doesn't do direct bookings - only through third party. But the location near Union Station is probably most important to many who stay there.

I'm not sure if Anaheim fits into this discussion since there's no long distance service there. But the Ayres Hotel is pretty much next to the station.

There's also a waterfront hotel within walking distance of the Oakland-Jack London Square station. Actually called the Waterfront Hotel.

https://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/oakland/waterfront-hotel

 

[Trucker72]

The CTA has a small transit hub just across the street from Chicago Union Station where you can pick up the Bus 151. A ride northbound on that bus will put you within walking distance of pretty much every downtown and Michigan Avenue hotel in Chicago.

In D.C. there is the Phoenix Park Hotel out the front door and across the street from Union Station, with an Irish Pub, the Dubliner, in the lobby.

Really enjoyed the Dubliner, Really good food and prices were fine. Will be seeing them again this September. There is a nice view of the Capitol from right outside their front door.