There are four lodging options ranging from dormitories to hotels, all located on the U Penn campus.  Following is a description of each option and the reservation information.  We have indicated a special E7 discount or group rate where applicable, and all accommodations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.



Participants can choose between two different dormitory styles -- traditional or apartment-style suites -- to best suit their needs.  The rate for all dormitories is $65.00 per bed per night, and all rooms are subject to a 14% occupancy tax.  Each bed space comes with a full linen package -- including bedding, towels and washcloth -- at no additional charge.  A 3-night minimum stay is required, and both dormitories offer a "Stay and Play" option, where participants may reserve the room for up to two days before and after the camp to allow for exploring Philadelphia and its surrounding areas.

Penn’s Conference Services staff has custom-designed a dormitory reservation site just for our event.  You will need to fill out an entry (name, contact information, age, gender, and dorm preference) for EACH family member staying in a dorm.  A single reservation allows entries for up to five family members, but there is a place to request more entries for larger families at the bottom of the screen.

E7 has negotiated a family discount of 20% for families of four reserving an entire apartment-style suite in the high-rise dormitory (which comes out to $208/night for the entire suite).  If you wish to take advantage of this discount, all four family members must be listed on the same reservation, must be staying in the same unit, and must select the "Family of 4" option when choosing a dorm preference.

Penn is also making an exception to its “payment due in full at time of reservation” policy to allow E7 participants the option of paying a 50% deposit when reserving rooms.  The deposit is non-refundable, and the balance will be due by June 1, 2007.  The two dormitory options are described in greater detail below.  To reserve a dorm room, visit the Penn Dormitory Reservation site.


This castle-like, air-conditioned dormitory will include two teen-only floors (one for boys and one for girls) and at least one floor designated for families. Each room has two single beds, two closets, and two desks with chairs, and participants will be allowed to make roommate requests if they so choose. There are hall bathrooms located on each floor. The nightly Teen Socials will be held in one of the dormitory common areas.

The Quad and its green spaces have restricted access with an attendant on duty 24 hours/day.  In addition, Fisher-Hassenfeld House has attendants at the front desk around the clock to check IDs for everyone entering the building. Two E7 prefects will reside on each teen-only floor as residence advisors and will chaperone the Teen Socials. Admittance to the Teen Socials is free to all teens attending E7, regardless of lodging choice.


These apartment-style dormitory accommodations may be better suited for families.  Recently renovated, each air-conditioned suite has a new kitchen and bathroom, in addition to amazing views from large picture windows (running floor to ceiling in some rooms). The layout of the suite includes up to four single bedrooms and a shared common area, kitchen and bathroom -- a convenient arrangement for families.  And be sure to select the "Family of 4" option to receive the 20% discount for a family of four reserving the entire suite!

There is also a large common area on the top floor of each high-rise dormitory with breathtaking views of Philadelphia. The common area has plenty of tables, chairs, and sofas for relaxing, socializing, or enjoying a casual pizza dinner (delivery service is available). Prefects will lead brief, informal "pajama" readings, games, and discussions each evening for those families looking to wind-down before bedtime.  There are security attendants at the dormitory's front desk around the clock.




The Hilton Inn at Penn is a four-diamond European-style boutique hotel located adjacent to the U Penn Bookstore in the heart of campus. The Inn's ever-popular Living Room Lounge, a richly furnished common area with bookshelves and two stone fireplaces, invites guests to read, relax, and socialize with fellow participants. Prefects will be on hand to lead nighttime read-alouds, games, and book and movie discussions. The Inn boasts two on-site restaurants: Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar and the University Club at Penn. Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar is open for lunch and dinner on weekdays and for dinner only on the weekends. It is an award-winning smoke-free establishment, claiming Best Entree and Best Overall Dish awards by Philly Cooks. Guests can also find a contemporary breakfast or brunch with made-to-order omelets at the University Club at Penn. There is a complimentary 24-hour fitness room on-site as well.

The Inn at Penn offers king rooms and double rooms sleeping up to 4 people, in addition to one- and two-bedroom suites. Cribs and rollaways (only in king rooms) are available at no additional charge. All guest rooms feature the Bed by Hilton, high speed and Wireless Internet access, WebTV, and plush, terrycloth robes. Additionally, guests can enjoy an in-room refreshment center with snacks and drinks. There are also a limited number of one- and two-bedroom suites with panoramic views of the campus, a 52" Sony Flat Screen Television, surround sound system, and DVD player.

We have reserved a block of rooms under the group name “Enlightening 2007” at the Hilton Inn at Penn, and they have designed a special E7 group reservations Web page for us that will allow you to book your room online. The E7 rate is $190/night. This rate is good for the three nights of the event (July 12, 13, & 14) and up to two nights before and after, subject to availability. All reservations must be booked by June 9, 2007 in order to receive the E7 rate.  Those who want to reserve a room for more than just the three nights during the event will need to call the hotel’s in-house group reservations line at 215.222.0200.  Otherwise, you can reserve your room directly through the Inn’s E7 group page.


The Sheraton University City Hotel is owned by the University of Pennsylvania and is conveniently located on the campus. It has recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation of all its public areas, and both the upper and lower lobbies display beautiful furniture, china and murals that celebrate Philadelphia. The Sheraton's new Pallet Restaurant offers upscale dining for breakfast or dinner, with a menu consisting of salads, sandwiches, pasta, steaks, seafood, vegetarian entrees and more. Guests also have access to an on-site parking garage ($15/day) and enjoy complementary use of a fitness center and outdoor pool on the seventh floor. There are free daily in-hotel activities ranging from wine tastings to soft pretzel and lemonade socials for all guests.

All guest rooms feature luxurious Sweet Sleeper beds, either one queen bed or two doubles, and a fold-away cot can be added for an additional $20/night for larger families. The Sheraton is in the process of upgrading all of its guest rooms to eRoomsuites in 2006. In an eRoomsuite guests can enjoy a 32" LCD high definition Flat Screen Television, computer with integrated stereo speakers, and free internet, movies and satellite radio. For an additional $25/night, guests may stay in one of the exclusive club guest rooms on the 19th and 20th floors and enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast and evening snacks.  A limited number of suites are also available, offering premium accommodations and club level access.

We have reserved a block of rooms under the group name “Enlightening 2007” at the Sheraton University City Hotel.  The E7 rate is $174/night for up to 4 people in a room, but the number of rooms containing two double beds is very limited. This rate is good for the three nights of the event (July 12, 13, & 14) and up to two nights before and after, subject to availability.  All reservations must be booked by June 10, 2007 in order to receive the E7 rate.  To reserve a room at the Sheraton University City Hotel, call 877.459.1146 and ask for the Enlightening 2007 group rate.

TRAVEL

Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania campus are easily accessible via air, rail, bus, and automobile.  The Philadelphia International Airport services 30 different airlines, and with the recent addition of Southwest Airlines, flights to Philadelphia became more affordable from Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Providence, Tampa Bay, Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Raleigh-Durham, Houston, Seattle and many other U.S. cities.  The airport is about a 20-minute drive from the Penn campus.  A special E7 shuttle service will be available the evening of Wednesday, July 11, and the morning of Thursday, July 12, though the specific hours of operation and fare have yet to be determined.

Guests traveling to Philadelphia by rail arrive at 30th Street
Station, which is located 6 blocks from campus.  SEPTA,
Philadelphia's Mass Transit System, connects the 30th Street Station to the Penn campus, or guests may reach campus by taxi, E7 shuttle service, or a 15-minute walk.

As Philadelphia is located within a four-hour drive for approximately one sixth of the country's population, some guests may choose to drive to E7.  Parking is available on campus at street meters and various parking facilities.  According to the U Penn Web site, recommended garages and lots include: 38th and Walnut Street (38th Street entrance); 34th and Chestnut; Penn Tower Hotel (34th and Civic Center Boulevard); Sheraton Hotel (36th and Chestnut Streets); South
Street and Convention Avenue; 32nd and Walnut Streets; and 40th and Walnut Streets.

For driving directions and more information about traveling to the University of Pennsylvania, check out Penn's Web site.