Conference Hotel

 

The conference will be held at the Inn at Laurel Point, situated in the heart of Victoria mere steps from the Parliament Buildings. With six acres of panoramic waterfront, the hotel provides a spectacular outlook for its guests in a convenient downtown location.

We have negotiated a competitive rate of $149/night for guest rooms in the Laurel Wing and $204/night if you want to upgrade to a Studio Suite in the Erikson Wing. The conference begins on the morning of June 19 and ends on the evening of June 21, so ideally you would book a minimum of four nights, from June 18 (check-in) to June 22 (check-out). The hotel has agreed to hold a limited block of rooms for us until May 19. To book a room in the Laurel Wing, click on this link:

GASC 2014 Guest Room Reservation

 

If you cannot get your preferred dates using using this link, do not assume the hotel is fully booked. Instead, phone the hotel toll-free at 1-800-663-7667; or, if you are outside North America, email the hotel directly. Ask for the “Generative Anthropology Society & Conference” group rate and state your preferred check-in and check-out dates. The on-line booking system does not accurately reflect the availability of rooms. Only by talking directly to someone at the hotel will you get truly up-to-date information.

 

The hotel has agreed to honor our negotiated rates for up to three days before and after the conference; unfortunately, however, the online booking system is unable to handle this agreement with the same dexterity a real person can—another reason to call or email the hotel if you have no luck booking an extended stay online.

 

Please note that reservations for rooms in the Erikson Wing can only be done by phone or email. If you wish to change or cancel a reservation, you must use the toll-free number or email address above.

Getting to the Hotel from Victoria International Airport

The airport is about 26km from downtown. The YYJ Airport Shuttle departs every 40 minutes and will take you directly to the hotel. Fare is $24 one way, $40 return. Discounts are available for two or more people travelling together. No reservations are necessary. Simply go to the YYJ kiosk by the luggage carousel in the domestic arrivals area and buy your ticket. Yellow Cab also serves the airport. Taxi fare is approximately $55 from the airport to the hotel.

Getting to the Hotel from Vancouver or Seattle

If you are traveling to Victoria by car or bus from Vancouver, take the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. The crossing, which takes approximately one hour and 35 minutes, takes you through the beautiful Gulf Islands. The ferry is the most scenic (and the cheapest) way of getting to Victoria from Vancouver. Current fare is $16.25 per person (add $53.25 if you are bringing a car). For more information, visit BC Ferries.

If you are flying into Vancouver and wish to connect to Victoria by ferry, Pacific Coach runs a bus service between Vancouver International Airport and downtown Victoria. Fare is $46. The hotel is a short walk (5-10 mins) from the bus terminal.

If you are traveling from Seattle, take the Victoria Clipper (walk-on passengers only). Fare is US$96 one way, US$162 round trip. It is a short 5-minute walk from the terminal to the hotel.

Passport and Travel Documents

Remember that all visitors to Canada, including US citizens, require a valid passport. Depending on your country of citizenship, you may also require a visa. Check with Immigration Canada to determine what travel documents you need.

Other Accommodation

There are many other hotels in the downtown area. The Harbour Towers is located close to the conference hotel, as is the Hotel Grand Pacific. Please note, however, that we have not negotiated special rates with any of these hotels. There are also many fine B&Bs throughout Victoria. Prices for B&Bs in or near downtown range from $130 to $200.

University Accommodation

The university offers beds in dormitories for summer visitors. Rooms start at $53/night. The campus is about an 8km drive from downtown, so you will need to use public transit if you do not have a car. Bus routes 4, 11, and 14 will take you from the university to downtown. The current fare is $2.50 (exact change only).