2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference

and the

 2024 Chanticleer International Book Awards Ceremonies

April 3 – 6, 2025

A Wreath with the words "CAC 2025" on it to celebrate the Chanticleer Author's Conference!

 

Please join us for our 2025 Annual Chanticleer Authors Conference!

LODGING IDEAS

We suggest making your lodging arrangements EARLY and look for a flexible cancellation policy so you can cancel at your convenience. Bellingham is quite the destination so lodging availability can be scarce! We are still a small university town.

This year we are excited to host the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards at the Bellingham Yacht Club Event Center at Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, Wash.

Kiffer Brown here with Lodging Suggestions for CAC 25.

We stopped trying to do Conference Package rates because so many times lodging would be available at a lower rate  than with the advent of Booking.com, Priceline, and even with the establishments’ websites than what was offered to us as “conference rates.”  Very frustrating to say the least! So, my advice is to see what you can do via the internet and calling directly to the establishment.
This is where I live (Kiffer), the Southside of Bellingham near Fairhaven. And, yes, that is Mount Baker in the background and Bellingham Bay in the foreground. Bellingham Bay, where Squalicum Harbor is located, is a bay of the Salish Sea located in Washington State.

Below are some of our favorites with handy links!   (more photos are below this list along with places to visit)

IMPORTANT:  We cannot recommend any lodging on Samish Way.
IMPORTANT:  If you decide to VRBO or Air B&B, please know that Lummi Island and Lake Whatcom / Sudden Valley area are too far away to conveniently travel back and forth from to the BYC that is located on Squalicum Harbor. Lummi Island also requires a ferry that has limited capacity and operational times that is can be very inconvenient.

TRAVEL

Airports

  • SeaTac Int’l Airport – large international airport near Seattle
  • Paine Field (a very small but conveniently located airport (4 Gates) between Everett and Bellingham — North of SeaTac.
  • Bellingham Int’l Airport (because of the Canada connections) 4 Gates

Airport Shuttle – Bellair Airporter Shuttle 

There are some great travel deals available right now, but again make sure that they are flexible and can be easily cancelled. You may want to consider using mileage points as they tend to be the most flexible.

Flying into SeaTac  – How to get to Bellingham.

The easiest and fastest way to get to Bellingham from SeaTac (Seattle Tacoma Airport) is to take the Airporter Shuttle.  Click on the link to find out more info.
You would take the Northbound Shuttle at SeaTac to Bellingham. It will drop you off directly a the Four Points by Sheraton on Lakeway
The buses are clean, quiet, and safe. This is what the Chanticleer Team takes when we fly out of Seattle.
Northbound Bus Schedule  (you will need to schedule your flight for these pickup times).
The pickup place is a Door #00 or Door #2  which are just past Baggage Carousel #1.
Reservations are a MUST!
Check-in, board the bus. Settle in for a nice nap.
Get off at the Sheraton Four Points on Lakeway Ave and you have arrived! You will need to Uber/Taxi from the Sheraton to the BYC where the conference is taking place.

Or rent a car.

Some of you may fly into Bellingham International Airport — We have FOUR gates! So, it is super easy to get around. Perhaps arrange for an UBER or a taxi. They DO NOT wait at the Bellingham Airport like they do other airports. Just too small. Make your arrangements ahead of time.

In Town?

We have plenty of Lyft and Uber drivers in Bellingham. As a smaller area, the costs can be slightly higher, but they work well overall!

More information regarding Lodging Suggestions

Sheraton 4 Points on Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, Wash.

Manager, Karyn Seaverson, direct: 360-685-8103 or email (the best way to reach her) at Karyn.Seaverson@fourpointsbellingham.com. The website for reservations is here: https://www.marriott.com/bellingham

Centered amid popular downtown attractions, the Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center is a haven of contemporary comfort. Unpack and unwind in stylishly appointed accommodations with spacious floor plans, signature amenities, free Wi-Fi access and an inviting workspace. Enjoy a coveted location near many of Bellingham’s most popular waterfront and downtown activities.  

As a Sheraton guest, you will have access to:

• Two amazing restaurants: B-Town Kitchen & Raw Bar and Chinuk Flavors of the Northwest
• An indoor heated pool and fitness center
• Complimentary wireless internet throughout the hotel, meeting spaces and restaurant.
• Free parking
• Easy access to Whole Foods and Fred Meyer Mega Market
• A 5 minute drive, quick bus ride, or 15 minute walk to downtown Bellingham
• Dog-friendly rooms for those who travel with furry friends

The rooms in this hotel were recently renovated in 2023.

You can reach the Sheraton’s friendly front desk at 360-671-1011 and mention the Chanticleer Authors Conference to see if the discounted rates are available. The Sheraton has reasonable rates and offers Double Queen Rooms, King Room, and King Suites.

All rooms come with a mini-fridge, microwave, desk, coffee/tea maker, in-room safe, alarm clock, complimentary bottled water, iron/ironing board, complimentary High-Speed internet, TV, and comfortable chair and footstool.

If you are looking for something more economical, The Guest House Inn is right across the street from the Sheraton on Lakeway Avenue. Most of the time, Queen Rooms are about $100 per night with a complimentary  enhanced continental breakfast. It a safe and convenient motel. There is a cross walk to cross over to the Sheraton and Fred Meyers Hypermarket.

Another favorite is the Heliotrope Hotel – a Pacific Northwest gem that has seven rooms with reasonable rates.

Or if you prefer to VRBO or Airbnb, make sure that your lodging is within a mile or two of the Sheraton. Lummi Island is too far away (plus a ferry is needed). Also, lodging around Lake Whatcom locations will take you about thirty minutes or more to drive one way. We cannot recommend staying at the locations on Samish Way at this time.

The OXFORD Suites, Bellingham  

Exceptional suites at affordable rates.

And, of course, the luxurious Hotel Bellwether, also located on Squalicum Harbor and convenient to the BYC.

WHAT ELSE TO DO WHILE YOU ARE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

On an aside, April is also Skagit Valley Tulip Season here and may Trumpeter Swans and Snow Geese arrive for their annual migration (counts are often more than 50,000 for the snow geese). Both are sights to see!

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival the entire month of April — depending on Mother Nature, of course!

Snow Geese Migration (approximately 50,000). They are a sight to behold!

Scenic Pacific Northwest Washington – CHUCKANUT DRIVE

Be sure to click on this link to learn more about Bellingham, Historic Fairhaven, Taylor Shellfish (YUM!), Bow, and beautiful scenic Chuckanut Drive.

Travel?

There are some great travel deals available right now, but again make sure that they are flexible and can be easily cancelled. You may want to consider using mileage points as they tend to be the most flexible.

Flying into SeaTac  – How to get to Bellingham.

  • The easiest and fastest way to get to Bellingham from SeaTac (Seattle Tacoma Airport) is to take the Airporter Shuttle.  Click on the link to find out more info.
  • You would take the Northbound Shuttle at SeaTac to Bellingham. It will drop you off directly at our location, the Four Points by Sheraton.
  • The buses are clean, quiet, and safe. This is what Sharon and I take them all the time when we fly out of Seattle.
  • Northbound Bus Schedule  (you will need to schedule your flight for these pickup times).
  • The pickup place is a Door #00 or Door #2  which are just past Baggage Carousel #1.
  • Reservations are a MUST!
  • Check-in, board the bus. Settle in for a nice nap.
  • Get off at the Sheraton Four Points on Lakeway Ave and you have arrived!

Some of you may fly into Bellingham International Airport — We have FOUR gates! So, it is super easy to get around. Perhaps arrange for an UBER or a taxi. They DO NOT wait at the Bellingham Airport like they do other airports. Just too small. Make your arrangements ahead of time.

In Town? 

We have plenty of Lyft and Uber drivers in Bellingham. As a smaller area, the costs can be slightly higher, but they work well overall!

Our recommended practices

Make sure you’re registered by March 2025 at the latest.

You should have lodging arrangements.

Master Classes?

Yes, we will offer Master Classes in writing craft, marketing, and technical tools.

Book Fairs?

You bet! We will have a Book Fair with Village Books!