Housing & Travel
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
Download our guide to campus housing here.
(Available 4 nights: Sunday, August 9 through Wednesday, August 12)
Conference housing will be located in our modern residential living center suites (see example layout below). All two-bedroom suites are equipped with a kitchen (serviceware not included) and furnished living room and have one bathroom. Each guest will have his/her own private bedroom with an extra-long twin bed, desk and dresser. Bed and bath linens including pillow will be provided. Towel exchange service will be available at the front desk. You will need to provide your own shampoo/conditioner and soap. All apartments are air-conditioned. Wireless and free parking are included. Televisions are available in the common areas. The living centers are about a 5 minute walk from the campus conference venues.
The cost of the suite is $60 a night and can be split between you and a roommate.
If you don’t want to share a suite, you can pay the full cost of $60/night.
If you request assignment of a roommate and we are unable to match you with one, you will be charged the full cost of $60/night.
HOTELS
Below are some recommended hotels within driving distance of Grand Valley State University.
Sleep Inn & Suites, Allendale
616-892-8000
Room Rates: $84.99/night (special conference rate)
1 mile from GVSU
To qualify for this room rate while reserving your room online, enter the conference name in the Special Request box. You may also request the conference rate by phone.
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Downtown Grand Rapids
800-253-3590
Room Rates: $169/night (special conference rate)
12 miles from GVSU
To qualify for this room rate, call 616.776.6450 or email reservations@ahchospitality.com and ask for the “Grand Valley State University rate.” Rate valid until July 9, 2015. Cancel by 11:59 p.m. local time on the day prior to arrival (24 hours in advance).
Holiday Inn, Downtown Grand Rapids
616-235-7611
Room Rates: $184/night on average
12 miles from GVSU
JW Marriott, Downtown Grand Rapids
616.242.1500
Room Rates: $279/night on average
12 miles from GVSU
TRAVEL
By Air
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) is located 13 miles southeast of downtown Grand Rapids and about 25 miles from the GVSU campus.
Gail Andrus Travel will provide shuttle service from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport on Sunday, August 9 from noon to midnight; and on Wednesday, August 12 from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Pickups will take place at Niemeyer Hall. To reserve an airport shuttle ($58 round-trip; $29 one-way), please visit: http://www.gailandrus.com/rethinkit
Ground Transportation from/to the Airport
Metro Cab – the official transportation provider at the airport.
The dispatcher is located at exit #4 near baggage carousel 3. The following rates are average and represent the total charge for all passengers, not per passenger. Most taxis are minivans and hold 5 passengers.
- $32 - Taxi fare (per taxi) to downtown hotels. The one-way trip takes about 20-30 minutes.
- $59 - Taxi fare (per taxi) to GVSU Allendale Campus. The one-way trip takes about 40-50 minutes. The return trip from Allendale to the airport is $73 (per taxi).
Reservations are not required but are available at 616-827-6500 or www.metrocabgr.com
Car Rental – Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National/Alamo are the onsite rental companies at Gerald R. Ford Airport. Rental counters are located across from the terminal at Exit 5.
Airport/GVSU Shuttle for Conference Attendees – Gail Andrus Travel will provide shuttle service from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport on Sunday, August 9 from noon to midnight; and on Wednesday, August 12 from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Pickups will take place at Niemeyer Hall. To reserve an airport shuttle ($58 round-trip; $29 one-way), please visit: http://www.gailandrus.com/rethinkit
By Train
Amtrak's Pere Marquette line offers daily service to Grand Rapids.
By Car
The conference is located at the Allendale campus of Grand Valley State University, 1 Campus Dr. Allendale MI 49401 (directions). Parking on campus will be free during the conference.
By Bus
The Grand Rapids city Rapid Bus services the airport, downtown hotels, and the Allendale campus. Route 17 services the airport. Routes 5 and 6 connect the airport line (Route 17) to the Rapid Central Station downtown on Bartlett Street SW. The GVSU Campus Connector (Route 50) will take you from Central Station to the Allendale campus.
