Very minor point, I thought it might be worth sharing my experience at the POFW. The last two years I have booked my hotel for my wife and I relatively late (I booked after I had the Playoff Tickets purchased and in my inbox as I was concerned about not getting tickets) and ended up at the St James Hotel and the Park Plaza respectively (both near the Castle). Because I booked late, it was pretty expensive. At the moment the rooms in the Park Plaza are starting to climb, but they are currently £152 a night if you sign up for their free to join club. And the St James Hotel rooms are up to £147.
My Wife and I both liked the location of these two hotels and the slight 'hint' of luxury while at the playoffs, if anyone fancies that then I would recommend that you book up quickly. Finally, you have to like to walk if you stay there as they are pretty much the exact other side of the city centre to the NIC. It's also worth noting that the St James Hotel was full of Braehead fans both years.