Hotel & Venue – IR16 – 21-24 Oct 2015

Hotel & Venue

The conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Phoenix-Biltmore, about fifteen minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. The Association has secured a block of rooms at the hotel, at the discounted rate (single or double) of US$169, plus tax. This includes breakfast, parking, evening drinks, and WiFi. You may make reservations here. Given that this is the beginning of tourist season in the Phoenix area, we recommend that you reserve as early as possible.

As space at the Embassy Suites Phoenix-Biltmore is limited, we have also secured a small additional block of rooms at the nearby Hampton Inn & Suites. This is a fairly easy walk from the conference hotel, and the hotel is offering a shuttle to and from the Embassy Suites for guests. You can reserve a room here. (Please note that the “from $119” is a bit misleading, since it is actually $159 plus tax for most nights. This is only a small savings from their regular rate, but as rooms become scarce, hotels are less willing to offer significant breaks.)

The hotel is directly adjacent to the Biltmore Fashion Park shopping center, and a wide range of nearby restaurants, including one of the best burger spots in town, and Pizza Bianco, which is considered by Gourmet Magazine and others to be the best pizza in the US. The hotel is also near the Arizona Biltmore country club, and the iconic Arizona Biltmore Hotel. If you are up for a walk, and the weather is still warm, there is an urban batcave about a mile and a half to the west.

The average price for a three-course meal for two at a mid-level restaurant in the area is US$55 (about 75% that of New York City, by way of comparison). The US General Services Administration sets the per diem reimbursement rates (food & incidental) for federal employees visiting the Phoenix area at US$71 a day.

Transportation

The closest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), which is about 15 minutes away from the hotel, and is the destination of direct flights from cities throughout North and Central America and from London-Heathrow. Two other major airports serve the Valley. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway (AZA) is home to flights from Allegiant Air and other discount airlines, and is approximately 40 minutes from the hotel by car. Scottsdale Airport (SCF) is limited to charter and private flights (domestic or international), and is about 35 minutes from the hotel by car.

A taxi from the airport and the hotel will cost approximately $30. The shared Supershuttle costs $15 each way.

The Valley of the Sun is rather spread out, and public transportation is relatively sparse. You may want a car if you are interested in seeing other parts of Phoenix or areas beyond (Tucson, Sedona, etc.). There are a number of national car rental companies at the airport, as well as a Silvercar lot. You may reserve a car with Hertz at a special conference rate (starting at US$219.70/week) by calling 1-405-749-4434 using code CV# 022Q7384, or reserving here.