Please Note: The contract room rate at the DoubleTree is $79 per night for both single and double occupancy. In the past few days we've had some difficulty getting the hotel to apply the $79 rate to double occupancy rooms. The Reservations Manager had mistakenly applied an $89 rate to double occupancies owing to improperly reported contract modifications between the Sales and Reservations people.
   Previously, this web page reported a room rate of $75. I apologize for the confusion. The circumstances surrounding that original rate are somewhat complicated, but I will attempt to explain them as clearly as I can. Initially, we asked for a special room rate based upon the potential sale of 60 rooms per night. For the sale of that many rooms the DoubleTree was willing to offer a rate possibly as low as $65, but not exceeding $75 per night. The Sales staff then obtained the records from last year's Slapsticon hotel sales and found that less than half of that figure was achieved. Accordingly, they came back with a rate of $79 per night for single occupancy and $89 for double with a block on only 30 rooms. I agreed to the $79 rate only on the condition that the double rate be reduced from $89 to $79 as it seemed to unfairly "penalize" families. They agreed to this and the contract was marked up and duly authorized with the Sales Manager's signature on the spot. It was this "marked up" portion of the contract that, for whatever reason, never made it into their system. That is why some of you have had problems with the front desk while attempting to make your arrangements.
   Today (04/30/04) I spoke with the Reservations Manager directly, who, with the approval of the General manager, adjusted the computer record to reflect the universal $79 rate. I am assured that this is not going to be a problem moving forward. Again, I apologize for the confusion and inconvenience. I look forward to seeing you at Slap II!

~Dave Stevenson

   Located just 30 minutes north of downtown Boston, which is easily accessible via commuter rail, the Doubletree Hotel on Warren Street in Lowell is our Slapsticon II headquarters. At the Doubletree, we are at a sufficient distance from Downtown and the nightmare of Democratic National Convention while maintaining a manageable proximity to our in-town venues. Meanwhile, we can exhibit our 16mm programs in a theater setting within walking distance from the hotel.
    Lowell, Massachusetts is a restored city that looks very much like a 1915 postcard come to life. Within a half-mile radius of the Doubletree are numerous museums, shops, restaurants and nightclubs. There is even an early twentieth-century streetcar that you can take across town. The Doubletree is located at the confluence of the Merrimack and Concord rivers and overlooks a restored system of locks along which you can walk and jog. The Doubletree is a three- star hotel.
   Our rate at the Doubletree is $79 per night. The hotel is conveniently located between Boston Logan airport and the airport at Manchester, New Hampshire and shuttle service from both run directly to the Doubletree's front door. Once you arrive, all of the city's intown features are within easy walking distance. What follows are some related city of Lowell links:

City of Lowell Official Site
Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors' Bureau
Lowell National Historic Park