Nothing says spring like the first whiff of baseball season. If you can't make it to spring training, plenty of hometown hotels get in on the game by offering regular season packages with a baseball tie-in. Case in point: The Fairmont Pittsburgh is just a short walk from PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Located in the heart of the Steel City's retail, cultural and business area, the Fairmont Pittsburgh makes for a convenient home base for families looking to explore.
The hotel has announced a Grand Slam package that bundles lodging with Pirates tickets and a few extras. With nightly rates starting at $275, is this really a good deal for families? We took a crack at the numbers to find out. The package includes:
- One night in a PNC Park-view room (worth $209 for a double room with a view of the ballpark and river)
- Valet parking (worth $30)
- 2 outfield box tickets to a Pirates home game ($20/ticket x 2 tickets = $40)
- 2 Pirates baseball hats (worth, let's say, $20)
- Homemade Cracker Jacks, a baseball glove to take to the game, and use of a Wii and baseball game in guest room (fun perk)
When we test-booked this package for a family of two adults and two kids for a Saturday in May, we found a rate of $275 one night. If that family were to book the same stay without the package, the total for the components would come to $279, or $4 more than the package price. And if we factor out the hats, the non-package price beats the package by $16. Frankly, the only real added value is the valet parking, which you may otherwise have considered unnecessary.
Deal or no deal? Swing and a miss. You're better off without the package: skip the hats, bring your own glove and Cracker Jacks and buy your own tickets.
The fine print: The package is available Thursday-Sunday, April 8-September 25, and it's subject to availability. Blackout dates apply and there's a seven-day advanced purchase required. Book online or call 888/270-6647 and use promo code PPBB.
