Hotels and Transportation
Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 | Dave
Several THATCampers have asked for advice choosing hotels and transportation – here are a few links that will help you plan your stay:
My suggestion is to stay in Fairfax at one of the hotels near the CUE Bus, and take that into campus. It should be a short trip. If anyone’s looking for a ride from the immediate area or is willing to help out some THATCampers, I’d encourage you to post here. And if you’re driving, park in the Sandy Creek Parking Deck, which is adjacent to the Research I building THATCamp will be held in.
Any other ideas?
May 7th, 2008 at 11:26 am
So it looks like the best option for Fairfax hotels on the bus line is the Courtyard Fairfax Fair Oaks:
* the #2 rated Fairfax hotel on TripAdvisor
* $63/night with AAA discount ($84 without)
* free high speed & wireless internet
* has a restaurant and Starbucks
* gym & pool
* close to restaurants as well as to bus stop that takes you to Metro station
May 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I would be willing to split a room with someone. I have a room reserved at Best Western w/ 2 queen beds that’s about $100/night including all the taxes- I can cancel this reservation, if someone wants another hotel. The Best western is the closest for walking (well, the closest under $150), but still a one hour walk. I am getting in the 30th and leaving the 2nd. Email me @ if interested 🙂
May 7th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
What’s the parking situation at GMU? My current plan (no reservations yet) is to bring the family with me to the Best Western. They’ll take the subway to Washington City during the day, and I’ll drive the car/minivan to campus. I might be able to provide rides to other people staying nearby.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Re-read the post and found the answers to my parking questions. Karin, have you checked out the CUE Bus?
May 8th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I went ahead and booked a room at the Courtyard Fairfax.
Looking at the CUE schedule, I’m thinking I can get on Gold 2 around 8:23am (Saturday) to arrive on campus at 8:36am. On Sunday, the earliest pick up on Gold 2 is 9:56am.
I’m not sure what other options are available for Sunday. The WMATA trip planner says I can get on the Gold 2 bus at 8:11am on Sunday. It doesn’t give any alternatives even though the published schedule doesn’t have Gold 2 running that early on Sundays.
I’m flying into Dulles on Friday night (from Victoria, BC). The same trip planner makes the ride from Dulles to Fairfax 2.5 hours long. I’ll probably be catching a cab.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Ben: I will be taking the CUE bus some days. Since James says the CUE bus doesn’t pick up till 10 on Sunday, I may walk that day.
I’m one of those freaks that really likes walking- especially in an unfamiliar city. It’s a great way to really see a place. From Best western to CHNM it’s about a 2.8 mile walk, as near as I can tell.
Question for people that live in Fairfax- is it a pretty walking-friendly town? Will I have any trouble walking from Best Western down chain bridge road to CHNM? Knowing my luck, it’ll probably rain the day I want to walk.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I’m flying into to Richmond VA and driving to Fairfax on May 30, I’ll be returning to Richmond on June 2. I’ll have an economy rental car and will be happy to drive some folks on Sunday am. I may take the bus depending on plans for the day. I have reservations at the Courtyard as well.
Margie