COTS 2026 Reserve Your Room

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To secure your room at the discounted COTS rate, please book your room at this link. 

• COTS rate: $ XXX/night

Rooms are very limited, so book soon! The special COTS attendee rate is only valid on a first-come, first-served basis. Rates are valid from November 2-6, 2026. 

The closest airport is Stansted Airport (STN), approximately 30-40 minutes from campus. Take a direct train from Stansted Airport to Cambridge, which takes about 30-40 minutes. https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ or https://www.thetrainline.com/

Taxi: a taxi from Stansted to Cambridge takes approx. 40 minutes, depending on traffic. It’s advisable

to pre-book a taxi for the best price.  Below are few links:

Blacklane Taxi

Global Airport Taxi

Onward Travel solutions Stansted Airport Taxi Service

Car hire: Many large car hire firms operate out of Stansted. It is advisable to pre-book. Check with

your hotel in Cambridge as parking in the city centre can be limited.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is approximately 70 miles.

Train: Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, take the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington

Station. From Paddington, take the London Underground (Circle or Hammersmith & City Line) to

King's Cross Station. From King's Cross, board a direct train to Cambridge, which typically takes

around 50 minutes.

Heathrow Express

National Rail

The Train Line

Underground (subway): take the Picadilly line directly from Heathrow to Kings Cross, this takes

about an hour. Take the direct train to Cambridge from Kings Cross.

Ways to pay.

Coach: You will also find direct National Express coach services operating between London Heathrow

to Cambridge (approximately every 2 hours).

National Express Coach

Taxi: a taxi from Heathrow to Cambridge takes approx. 1.5 or 2 hours, depending on traffic. It’s

advisable to pre-book a taxi for the best price. There is a number of providers available online.

Comfort Airport Transfer

Transfeero

Heathrow Cambridge Taxi

Car hire: Many large car hire firms operate out of Heathrow. It is advisable to pre-book. Check with

your hotel in Cambridge as parking in the city centre can be limited.

Gatwick Airport (LGW) is just under 100 miles from Cambridge (approximately 2 hours by car).

Train: From Gatwick Airport, take a Thameslink train directly to Cambridge Station, a journey that

takes approximately 1hr 50 minutes.

National Rail

The Train Line

Taxi: a taxi from Gatwick to Cambridge takes approx. 2 hours, depending on traffic. It’s advisable to

pre-book a taxi for the best price. There is a number of providers available online.

Gatwick Airport Taxi Booking 

Airport Taxis Gatwick

Taxi London Gatwick Airport

Car hire: Many large car hire firms operate out of Gatwick. It is advisable to pre-book. Check with

your hotel in Cambridge as parking in the city centre can be limited.

Luton Airport (LTN) approximately 1 hour. Take a shuttle bus to the Luton Airport Parkway Station. From there board a direct train to Cambridge, which will take approximately 1 hour.

Coach: You will also find direct National Express coach services operating between Luton and

Cambridge.

National Express Coach

To arrive by Train - Cambridge Station is about an 18-minute walk from Downing College.

Buses from outside the station go via Regent St into the centre of Cambridge

Cambridge Station Map

The nearest bus stop to the conference venue is located opposite Downing College. To reach it, use

one of the following bus services 1, 3, 7, 13/A/B/X13 (Stagecoach/Whippet), 100, X3.

There is a taxi stand outside the station and it is approximately a 7-minute journey to Downing

College. Taxis accept credit card payment.

Uber is also available in Cambridge – use the app as normal. Drivers collect you from the area near

the taxi rank.

No,  is run by the . It is a teaching hotel, and the majority of the employees are  students in the Hospitality and Tourism Management major.

Check-in is at 3 PM. Check-out is at 11 AM.

Hotel reservations must be made before September  2026. 

Please note that our special group rates are valid from November 2-6, 2026. Hotel   has a 48-hour cancellation policy. Certain reservation types and blackout dates have a separate cancellation policy which is stated on the confirmation letter.

Please bring a valid picture ID, credit card (required for incidentals), and your license plate information if you are planning to park in the Center Garage.

The  Hotel accepts major Credit Cards, Cash and Travelers Checks. No personal checks will be accepted unless deposited seven days prior to arrival. The hotel requires a  deposit at check-in for incidentals with either a credit or debit card. The incidental deposit will be released on the day of your departure at midnight. Your bank will then have to post the transaction to your account.

Campus Center Parking Garage

Rate: $

Yes. For more information about the physical features of their accessible rooms, please call.

Copy services are available at the Front Desk.

To secure your room at the discounted COTS rate, please book your room at this link. 

• COTS rate: $179/night

Rooms are very limited, so book soon! The special COTS attendee rate is only valid on a first-come, first-served basis. Rates are valid from November 2-6, 2025. 

The closest airport is Bradley International (BDL), approximately 45 minutes from campus. You have several transportation options, including renting a car, taking a shared van, or using a Taxi or Rideshare App. 

We plan to offer a rideshare forum as we get closer to the conference. COTS is looking into shuttle options directly to the Bradley Airport after the last session on November 5th. More details about this option will be available soon.

Other international airports include Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 2 hrs/95 miles away. Car rental and bus options are available. For more information, please visit https://www.umass.edu/global-affairs/international-students-scholars/getting-umass-amherst.

No, Hotel UMass is run by the University of Massachusetts. It is a teaching hotel, and the majority of the employees are UMass students in the Hospitality and Tourism Management major.

Check-in is at 3 PM. Check-out is at 11 AM.

Hotel rservations must be made before September 17, 2025. 

Please note that our special group rates are valid from November 2-6, 2025. Hotel UMass has a 48-hour cancellation policy. Certain reservation types and blackout dates have a separate cancellation policy which is stated on the confirmation letter.

Please bring a valid picture ID, credit card (required for incidentals), and your license plate information if you are planning to park in the Campus Center Garage.

The UMass Hotel accepts major Credit Cards, Cash and Travelers Checks. No personal checks will be accepted unless deposited seven days prior to arrival. The hotel requires a $50 deposit at check in for incidentals with either a credit or debit card. The incidential deposit will be released on the day of your departure at midnight. Your bank will then have to post the transaction to your account.

Campus Center Parking Garage
91 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01003

Rate: $6/night

Enter the campus center parking garage, and park on level 2. Then walk into the concourse via the hallway and take the elevators to the 3rd level (hotel lobby). Once you get to the lobby, please register your vehicle(s) with the front desk. Parking is good until 5 PM on the day of your departure, so long as the vehicle is registered with the front desk. Garage restriction is 7'2".

Yes. For more information about the physical features of their accessible rooms, please call (413) 549-6000.

Copy services are available at the Front Desk.

The nearest UPS Print & Ship Center is a short drive (7 mins) or accessible by bus. Please visit the UPS website for more information. 

Guests have complimentary access to the Body Shop in Totman Gym during the academic year, along with the Recreation Center and campus pool all year long.

There are many dining options in the Campus Center Complex (the building that the hotel is a part of), and a bar in the Commonwealth Restaurant located on the top floor of Worcester Commons. For more information please visit: http://www.umassdining.com/locations-menus/campus-center