Travel to Boston is easy, both by automobile and by airline. Many are reluctant to use air travel these days, so I would remind those people that rail travel is also popular in the Northeast and works well. Boston's South Station is a short taxi ride from the conference hall and hotels. Amtrak is offering a discount off the lowest available fare to Boston for GENTECH attendees. Travel must take place between 20-30 January 2002. To book space, call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 or contact your local travel agent. Make sure you refer to Fare Code X-44S-920 when making your booking. This offer is not valid on Auto Train, Acela Express, or Club or Business Class service or on sleeping accommodations. The reduced fare is valid on Metroliner Service during off-peak weekday travel and all departures on weekends.

As expected, rooms at the conference hotel sold out early. However, two other well-known Boston hotels in the same neighborhood are offering reduced rates to GENTECH attendees. Both have rooms available at this time.

In the heart of Boston’s Back Bay, and directly across the street from the Hynes Convention Center, the Back Bay Hilton invites you to take advantage of this special rate and enjoy all the amenities this first class hotel has to offer including fitness room, business center and lobby coffee bar. Walking from the Back Bay Hilton to the Hynes Convention Center involves about thirty seconds’ exposure to the outdoor air.

On the south side of the Hynes Convention Center is the four-star Colonnade Hotel offering elegantly appointed rooms in the European style. On the lobby level, Boston’s first and only authentic French brasserie offers fine casual dining featuring food from the Alsace region. Walking from the Colonnade Hotel to the Hynes Convention Center will entail a two or three-minute exposure to the weather elements.

Both hotels will offer rooms for $119.00 per night, but only if you mention the GENTECH Conference. For reservations call direct:

Hilton Back Bay 617-236-1100
Colonnade 617-424-7000

These two hotels do require a brief exposure to the elements when walking to the convention center. However, three other hotels, probably twenty or thirty restaurants, plus a large number of stores are all connected to the convention center via climate-controlled walkways. You can walk among these businesses in shirtsleeve comfort, regardless of the outside winter weather.

For more information about the GENTECH2002 conference, look at: www.gentech.org/

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