I have been investigating the travel and accommodations for this year's NGS conference in North Charleston. There is a mix of good news and bad news. The good news is that there are many hotels to choose from and that most of the hotels offer free parking, free Internet connections, and a few offer free Continental breakfasts. The bad news is that several of the closest hotels are already sold out.
If you fly to Charleston or take the train, you won't need a rental car as all the nearby hotels are a short shuttle ride from the airport terminals or from the train station. You can see a map of the area at http://goo.gl/maps/9KmE. The convention center is surrounded by a number of hotels with restaurants and several restaurants and outlet stores nearby. Historic Charleston is twenty minutes away via taxi or shuttle service.
Charleston is also served by Amtrak. The train station is about three miles from the convention center and even a bit closer to many of the hotels. That's too far to walk (for most of us) but is a short taxi ride away. Most of the hotels will also send their shuttle vans to the train station as well. Check with your hotel in advance to make sure the hotel's shuttle service will be available when you need it.
I found the Amtrak prices to be cheaper than flying on any of the airlines. However, travel by train will require an extra day of travel each way for me and paying for the extra meals nullifies the savings in ticket prices. I'm also not too keen on sitting in a train seat for two days. Sure, I can get up and walk around but that is still a long time to be on a train. I have taken many two-day, three-day and a couple of four-day train rides across China many years ago and have no interest in another long train ride. I think I will fly. You might want to check your options at http://www.amtrak.com
I spent some time researching the hotels that are close to the convention center. The following information came mostly from the NGS web site or from each hotel's web site. Keep in mind that prices may change up or down between now and the start of the conference. Usually, prices go up of there is a convention nearby. I'd suggest making your reservations now.
Prices shown here do not reflect AAA, AARP, or military discounts. Check with each hotel for possible additional savings. Most hotels do not offer additional discounts when a special convention "rate code" has already been applied, but it never hurts to ask.
I find that each hotel's web site, hotel.com, Expedia.com, Travelocity.com and other web sites sometimes list the same rooms for much lower prices than the "official" conference rate. However, those lower rates often are not available when a conference is being held nearby. My suggestion is to check several web sites to see what you can find.
Several of these hotels are listed on their web sites as sold out or "unavailable." I know from experience that calling the hotel on the phone sometimes means rooms are available for conference attendees, but only if you mention the conference rate code.
Notice that almost all the hotels now offer FREE wireless wi-fi or wired Internet connections in every room.
You can see the locations of most of these hotels at http://goo.gl/maps/ynqA
Embassy Suites Airport Convention Center
5055 International Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418
Website: http://www.embassysuitescharleston.com
Telephone: 843-747-1882
Rate Code: NGS
This is the official conference hotel and is located 1/10 of a mile from the convention center. Unfortunately, the hotel is fully booked already and is not taking further reservations. There is a chance the hotel might get some rooms at the last minute if there are cancellations, but I wouldn't count on it.
Hyatt Place
3234 West Montague Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Website: http://www.charlestonairport.place.hyatt.com/groupbooking/chszcngso2011
Telephone: 843-302-8600
Distance to Convention Center: 0.5 miles
This appears to be the second-closest hotel to the convention center (the sold out Embassy Suites is the closest).
Rate: $129 single/double/triple/quad. Ask for the rate code of: G-NGSO
All rooms include FREE high-speed wireless Internet, microwave, coffee maker, free breakfast, and refrigerator. Microwaves available on request based on availbility.
Parking: Free
Shuttle: Free
Hilton Garden Inn
5265 International Blvd.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Website: http://www.charlestonairport.hgi.com
Telephone: 843-308-9330
Distance to Convention Center: 0.2 miles
Rate: $135 single/double/triple/quad. Ask for the rate code of: NGS
All rooms include FREE high-speed wireless Internet, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, and two bottles of water.
Cancellation: 24 hours prior to avoid cancellation fees
Parking: Free
Shuttle: Free
Holiday Inn - Charleston Airport/Convention Center
5264 International Blvd.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Website: http://www.holiday-inn.com/chastnairport
Distance to Convention Center: 0.2 miles
Telephone: 843-576-0300
Rate: $135 single/double/triple/quad. Ask for the rate code of: NGS
All rooms include FREE high-speed wireless Internet, microwave, coffee maker, and mini refrigerator.
Parking: Free
Shuttle: Free
Residence Inn by Marriott
5035 International Blvd.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Website: http://www.marriott.com/chsno
Telephone: 843-266-3434
Distance to Convention Center: 0.4 miles
Rate: $149 single/double/triple/quad. Rate Code: NGSO
All rooms include FREE high-speed wireless Internet, microwave, coffee maker, full kitchen, and hot breakfast.
Parking: Free
Shuttle: Free
Hampton Inn Airport/Coliseum
4701 Saul White Blvd.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Website: http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/CHSACHX-NGS-20110510/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
Telephone: 843-554-7154
Distance to Convention Center: 0.8 miles
No shuttle listed on the hotel's web site but see the note below about a different trolley service.
Rate: $119
All rooms include FREE high-speed wireless Internet.
Crowne Plaza
4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Telephone: 843-740-7028
Website: http://goo.gl/q812G
Distance to Convention Center: 1.08 miles
Rate: $134
All rooms include FREE high-speed wireless Internet, and breakfast. Valid for stay through: 9–15 May 2011
aloft Charleston Airport and Convention Center
4875 Tanger Outlet Blvd, Charleston, SC 29418
Telephone: (843) 566-7300
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/index.html
This hotel is not listed on the NGS web site but other sites rate it at 4 stars. It is a Starwood Hotel which usually means a nice place to stay.
Rate: $129
FREE wireless Wi-fi in public areas of the hotel and FREE wired Internet connection in each room.
No shuttle listed on the hotel's web site and apparently is not being covered by the NGS shuttle.
Shuttles
A free trolley will run between the NGS-listed hotels and the convention center Wednesday through Saturday:
Wednesday, 11 May 6:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Thursday, 12 May 7:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Friday, 13 May 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. Saturday, 14 May 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Buses to Social Events leave from the Embassy Suites Hotel
All buses for various social events will leave from the Embassy Suites Hotel. Attendees need to make their own transportation arrangements to the Embassy Suites Hotel through their hotel shuttle service or by taking the trolley, which will be provided Wednesday through Saturday. Please allow sufficient time to make these arrangements.
