There are taxis from the airport to our downtown host hotels, but Blues Foundation corporate member Alonzo Grant operates the
Tennco Express Airport Shuttle. Check them out at
Tenncoexpress.com or call him at 901.522.0001 or 901.859.8377. Alonzo is offering a special to all coming for the IBC--$25.00 round trip. He can also hook you up with some Memphis tours at
gomemphistours.comWe have made arrangements with a number of hotels in Downtown Memphis to house bands and fans coming to the 25th International Blues Challenge. Be sure to inquire about other applicable costs and deposit and cancellation policies at each hotel. Due to the demand for these rooms, some have special deposit and cancellation policies.
1. The primay host hotel--the Doubletree Memphis Downtown--SOLD OUT in less than 48 hours, which beat last year's record.
2. Holiday Inn Select Downtown is SOLD OUT
3. Residence Inn by Marriot is -SOLD OUT.
4. If you are looking for some unique lodging in Downtown Memphis, check out the Talbot Heirs Guesthouse 99 South Second Street. Blues Foundation members Tom & Sandy Franck have been housing Blues fans for years at their location just a few doors closer to Beale Street than Huey's.
5. Hampton Inn Peabody Place 175 Peabody Place (just steps from the Rum Boogie Café) - $151 per night plus taxes. Call Reservation Supervisor Von, at 901.260.4008 and tell them you want a room in the Blues Foundation block. They do not have rooms left for all nights, but you can check availability and prices for a night or two.
6. Crowne Plaza Hotel 300 North Second Street - $119 a night plus taxes Call 901.525.1800 or 800.2Crowne or go online at www.cpmemphishotel.com. The code is BLU. This is the former Wyndham that has undergone $25 million in improvements, way beyond redecoration.
7. Westin Memphis Beale Street 170 Lt. George W Lee Ave - $179 a night plus taxes for these premium rooms just one block from Beale. Call 800.937.8461 to reserve using the rate code “Blues”
8. The world-famous Peabody Memphis is offering a $195.00 single/double rate; $215.00 triple/quad rate, plus 15.95% taxes and the $9.95 current Hotel Services Fee. Hotel Services Fee includes the following: unlimited local & 800 access calls, newspaper delivered to guest room each morning, coffee in the Lobby at designated times, shoe shine up to 2 pair per stay, Health Club & Wireless Internet Access in guest room. Call 800-Peabody (Press 2 for Memphis) to make a reservation. To ensure the rate, identify your group as The Blues Foundation, International Blues Challenge and make the reservation before the December 29, 2008 cutoff date.
9. King's Court Motel 265 Union Avenue - 901.527.4305. This is a budget hotel with recently renovated rooms. It is clean, friendly and just one block from the Doubletree Hotel and two blocks from Beale Street.
The 2009 IBC is sponsored by the good folks at the companies identified on the side banner. Click on their logo to check them out.
You are now able to purchase tickets to the event, reserve a hotel room and get the 2009 IBC long-sleeve tee-shirts by clicking on the links at left.
