Conference Venue and Accommodations

The conference venue is the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. The Francis Marion Hotel, located in the heart of the Historic District on Marion Square, will be the headquarters and primary meeting and accommodations site for the 2009 CIES conference. In addition to providing hotel rooms for conference attendees, the Francis Marion will also host the conference registration and check-in desk, exhibits, special lectures, and most conference panel sessions.

To make reservations at the Francis Marion, you may either phone the hotel toll-free at 877 756-2121, or make your reservation on-line. When making your reservation please be certain to indicate that you are attending the CIES Conference in order to receive the special conference rate of $169 (plus 12.5% tax) for single or double occupancy. The triple or quad occupancy rate is $179 (plus 12.5% tax).  You may also make your reservation online.  After you have indicated your arrival and departure dates and clicked the ‘check availability’ button, enter group code CIES.  The deadline for booking at the Francis Marion at special CIES conference rates is February 19, 2009. 

We encourage you to make your reservations as early as possible. Room availability at the Francis Marion is limited and demand is expected to be high. The Francis Marion is located at 387 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403.

Additional Conference Hotel Rooms

If you cannot find rooms at the Francis Marion Hotel, additional rooms have been reserved at the following nearby venue (approximatel 1 block away from the Francis Marion) at special conference rates for the conference dates of March 22 (check in) to March 26 (check out).

Embassy Suites Historic Charleston
337 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone 843 723-6900

The Embassy Suites Historic Charleston is located about a five-minute walk from the Francis Marion Hotel. Please note that a number of conference sessions will also take place at the Embassy Suites. When making your reservation, please indicate that you are attending the CIES Conference in order to receive the special conference rate of $169 (plus tax) based on double occupancy during the conference dates of March 22 - 26. A number of conference sessions will also take place at the Embassy Suites. You may also make your reservation on-line; enter Group/Convention code CIES to obtain the special conference rate. Please reserve by February 19 to obtain the conference rate.

Hampton Inn Charleston - Historic District
345 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone 843 723-4000

The Hampton Inn Historic District occupies an 18th century railroad warehouse transformed to an award-winning Antebellum Hotel. This venue is about a six-minute walk to the Francis Marion Hotel and is adjacent to the Embassy Suites Historic Charleston. We have secured an additional block of conference rooms the Hampton Inn at a conference rate of $159 per night (plus 12.5% tax) based on double occupancy during the conference dates of March 22 - 26. Please reserve by February 19 to obtain the conference rate. You may also make your reservation on-line; enter Group/Convention code CIES to obtain the special conference rate.

Holiday Inn Historic District
125 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone 843-805-7900

The Holiday Inn Historic District is located about a 8-minte walk from the Francis Marion Hotel. When making your reservation, please indicate that you are attending the CIES Conference in order to receive the following special rates (tax not included): $159 for single and double rooms, $169 for triple, and $179 for quad. These special CIES rates apply only for bookings made before February 23. The rates apply for Sunday (March 22) until Thursday (March 26). For Saturday, March 21, the discounted rate (for CIES only) is $209 for single and double rooms, $219 for triple, and $229 for quad.Cancellations of individual reservations will be accepted by the hotel up to 8 days prior to arrival (March 15, 2009) to avoid first night room and tax penalty.

Other Nearby Hotels

Days Inn Charleston - Historic District
155 Meeting Street
1/2 Block Market Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone 843 722-8411

The Days Inn Charleston is located approximately 8 blocks from the Francis Marion Hotel, or about a 15-20 minute walk. You may make reservations on-line or by contacting the hotel directly.

Best Western King Charles Inn in Historic Charleston
237 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone 843-723-7451

The Best Western King Charles Inn is located approximately 6 blocks from the Francis Marion Hotel, or about a 10-15 minute walk. You may make reservations on-line or by contacting the hotel directly.

 

Hostels

Notso Hostel
156 Spring Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone 843-722-8383
Email: charlestonhostel@hotmail.com

Notso Hostel provides dormitory-style and private room accommodations at reasonable rates. Contact the hostel by e-mail or phone to obtain information about room reservation availability and rates. The hostel is located about 1.5 miles from the Francis Marion Hotel or about a 25 minute walk.