LODGING & TRAVEL
The majority of the main events for the 2021 Raptor Research Foundation Conference will be located at the Boise Centre on the Grove (850 W. Front Street, Boise, ID 83702), Idaho’s largest conference center.
We have negotiated a limited number of discounted rooms at two hotels for conference attendees. Each are within walking distance of the Boise Centre. Once those rooms are booked, there are at least six other hotels within walking distance and over 50 hotels in the Boise area to choose from. Please see details on these lodging options and travel tips below. We strongly encourage you to book your reservations early as Boise is a popular travel destination in October.
Covid-19 and Travel Restrictions
The US Department of State (DOS) suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 13, 2020, DOS tweeted the following update from @TravelGov:
“US embassies and consulates are beginning the phased resumption of routine visa services. The dates for each embassy or consulate will depend on local conditions. We are unable to provide details for each location. Please monitor the embassy or consulate website for updates.”
To find embassy or consulate websites, go to https://www.usembassy.gov/. The embassy links get you to the right embassy website, but you will have to do some clicking to find relevant COVID-19 information, as each embassy website is structured a bit differently.
DISCOUNTED CONFERENCE LODGING:
Hampton Inn and Suites Boise – Downtown
The majority of our discounted sleeping rooms are at the Hampton Inn & Suites Boise – Downtown (495 S. Capitol Boulevard, Boise, ID 83702), just around the corner from the Boise Centre. In the heart of downtown Boise, the Hampton Inn & Suites is less than 0.2 mile (a 5-minute walk) from the Boise Centre and offers walkable access to dozens of restaurants, the Basque District, and the Greenbelt. Additionally, the hotel offers a free hot buffet breakfast to guests, a large lobby with plenty of seating, an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, a business center, and a gift shop.
The hotel is accessible to persons with disabilities. Those requiring assistance in this area should make requests at the time of registration. The hotel is 100% non-smoking and all guest rooms offer LCD televisions, WiFi, MP3 docking stations, safes, refrigerators, coffeemaker, designer toiletries, and hairdryers. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary (available 24 hours; inquire with hotel front desk before travel for details on pick-up locations and times).
A limited number of rooms at Hampton Inn & Suites Boise-Downtown from 7 October – 14 October, 2021* are available for the discounted rate of $145 per night (1 King or 2 Queen Beds). This pricing does not include applicable taxes or parking fees. Guests may park in the attached parking garage for $15/night (added to your room receipt).
*The discounted rate will be available through Saturday, September 17 or until guestrooms are sold out, whichever comes first.
Make reservations at any time by calling the hotel directly at 1-208-331-1900 and telling them you are booking with the Raptor Research Annual Meeting. You may also book your reservation online at: https://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/B/BOIDNHX-RAP-20211007/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
Red Lion Hotel Boise-Downtowner
We also have a special room rate for a limited number of rooms at the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner (1800 W. Fairview Avenue, Boise, ID 83702) for October 7 – October 14. Room rates are $99 per night (not including taxes; 1 King or 2 Double Beds) and there is no charge to guests parking.
The Red Lion Hotel is 0.9 miles from the Boise Centre. This equates to a 15- to 20-minute walk into downtown Boise (sidewalks are available the entire walk) or a 6-minute Uber ride to the Boise Centre. The Red Lion Hotel has a limited number of complimentary bike rentals (book your reservation by calling the front desk), an outdoor pool, spa, business center, and 24-hour fitness center as well as complimentary WiFi. Grab breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Coffee Garden, (open from 6 am to 9 am; breakfast buffet available for pay) or the unwind after the day’s events at the hotel’s Characters Sports Bar & Lounge (open from 4 – 11 pm on weekdays; serves spirits and appetizers). A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary (inquire with hotel front desk before travel for details on pick-up details).
*The discounted rate will be available through Sunday, September 12 or until guestrooms are sold out, whichever comes first. You can reserve your room by calling or booking online:
Make reservations at any time by calling 1-800-RED LION (733-5466) and provide them with your check-in Date and the group code RAPT1004 for Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner.
TRAVEL
Traveling to Boise*
The Boise Airport (BOI) is located just a short drive away from the city center. Most area hotels provide a complimentary airport shuttle and the airport is on several bus routes that also go downtown. Additionally, Uber, Lyft, and Taxis are available to pick you up just outside of baggage claim. Onsite car rental agencies are located on the first floor of the Boise Airport, adjacent to baggage claim.
The Department of Homeland Security has postponed the deadline for getting a Real ID another 19 months. See this website.
Traveling within Boise
Public Transit:
Provided by Valley Regional Transit, Boise has a great public transit system, Valley Ride, for a city of our modest size. Fortunately, the Boise Centre on the Grove is located on the same block as Valley Regional Transit’s hub, so most routes lead you right to the conference center! Additionally, there are several Park & Ride lots in case you don’t want to pay the premium downtown parking prices.
Fares & Passes: https://www.valleyregionaltransit.org/fares-and-passes/
Trip Planner: https://www.valleyregionaltransit.org/home/
System Map (showing Park & Ride lots): https://www.valleyregionaltransit.org/routes
Bike-friendly Boise:
Boise is a bike-friendly city. We have several bike rental shops, a bike share program, and bike maps. Check out all this and more (including Idaho and City of Boise Bike & Safety Laws) at Downtown Boise Association’s Boise Bike Town page.