Frequently Asked Questions
- Q. Who can stay at the Guest House at PNNL?
- Anyone conducting business with PNNL or Hanford, including staff members, researchers, student interns, employment candidates, Hanford contractors and sub-contractors.
- Q. Can children stay at the facility?
- Yes, children are always welcome at the Guest House.
- Q. Can DOE employees stay at the Guest House?
- Yes, all DOE employees are eligible to stay at the Guest House.
- Q. Can subcontractor employees stay at the Guest House?
- Yes, all subcontractor employees are eligible to stay at the Guest House.
- Q. How do I make reservations?
- Call the Reservations Center Guest House office at 509-943-0400 during office hours (8:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday and Sunday) or make your reservations any time on our web site by clicking on Reservations.
- Q. Are government per diem rates available for rooms in the Guest House?
- Yes. Almost all of our rooms are at or below the government per diem rate of $70.00 per night for single occupancy. We have 43 multi-room suites which are $25.00 plus tax per night for students and $35.00 per night for non-students, and 35 single queen rooms that are $70.00 plus tax per night. We have only 4 rooms (one-bedroom apartments) for which the short-term (less than 30 day) rate exceeds the government per diem. The long-term (greater than 30 day) rate for the one-bedroom apartments is $70.00 plus tax per night (government per diem).
- Q. Can I pay for my room with a PNNL work package?
- No, work package numbers are not accepted at the Guest House. A workshop agreement can be set-up through Janie Hays to pay for visitors at the Guest House or visitors can submit for reimbursement by filling out the travel accounting form located at http://business.pnl.gov/accountspayable/forms/uhf-visitor-expense-report.xls per approval by the PNNL host.
- Q. If I use a PNNL work package, will any overheads apply to room charges?
- Yes, PDM and service assessment/fee will apply. On 1830 work this is approximately 10%. On 1831 work it is approximately 7% plus your fee rate. Note that costs associated with accommodations at other local hotels/motels bear the full overhead burden of 47% on 1830 and 43% plus fee on 1831.
- Q. Will taxes apply to my room charges?
- Stays less than 30 days pay sales (8.3%) and hotel taxes (2%). No overheads apply to these taxes. Stays of 30 days or more do not pay the taxes.
- Q. Are there any restaurants nearby?
- Yes, there are three food establishments within walking distance. One is available for breakfast. All three are available for lunch and offer orders to go.
- Q. Are pets allowed in the Guest House?
- Pets are not allowed in the Guest House.
- Q. Are smoking rooms available?
- The Guest House is a smoke-free facility but smoking is allowed in the courtyards or in the front of the facility.
- Q. Are firearms permitted?
- Firearms are not permitted in the Guest House.
- Q. Do I have to be badged to enter the facility?
- Badges are not required in the Guest House.
- Q. How do I pick up my keys if I arrive after hours?
- After hours access is no problem. If you arrive after hours, your keys will be available in a lock box located near the front door of the Guest House. You will receive a lock box security code via email or telephone prior to your arrival which will allow you access to your keys. If you experience any difficulties with the lock box, a telephone is located nearby which you may use to call for assistance.
- Q. Do I need a parking pass to park at the Guest House?
- Parking passes are not required and there are no fees to park in the Guest House lot.
- Q. Can I have mail delivered to me at the Guest House?
- Only mail or packages relating to work or school are allowed to be sent through the plant mail system (P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352.) All personal mail should be sent directly to the Guest House through the UPS by using the street address (620 Battelle Blvd. Richland, WA 99352). Be sure that the guest name appears on the mail. Post office boxes are usually available at the Post Office in Richland.
- Q. Is there any place to run, bike or roller-blade nearby?
- Yes. We are approximately four blocks from the Columbia River which features a paved bicycle and foot path that extends the entire length of Richland and beyond.
- Q. What time is check out?
- Checkout is at 11:00 AM unless other arrangements are made.
- Q. Are grocery stores located nearby?
- There are no grocery stores in the vicinity of the Guest House. The nearest convenience store is three miles away. The bus stops on Q street Monday through Friday every 30 minutes in the morning beginning at 6:40 a.m. with the last pick-up at 9:10 a.m. and resumes in the afternoon every 30 minutes beginning at 3:40 p.m. and ending at 6:10 p.m. There is a bus stop located two miles from the Guest House and a taxi feeder service is available (included in the bus fare price) by calling 547-7777. We do have loaner bicycles available for our guests. A taxi feeder service is available along with night service by calling 545-0684 after 2:00 p.m. each day for $1.75 per person each way.
- Q. Can I have a guest stay with me in my room?
- Guests are permitted only in the single queen rooms and the one-bedroom rooms with an additional fee of $10.00 per adult. There is no charge for children under 17. We do not allow you to have guests stay with you in dorm units because of size constraints but you may upgrade to a larger room or your guest may rent one of the dorm rooms if space is available.
- Q. Can rooms at the Guest House be used for meetings?
- Yes. We have two different styles of common areas that can be used successfully for small meetings. The maximum capacity is 16 people for formal meetings and 30 for social gatherings.
- Q. What amenities do you offer?
- We offer computer network access; housekeeping and linen service; coin-operated laundry facilities; vending machines; ice machine; completely outfitted cooking facilities in multi-room suites and apartments; exercise room; daily breakfast in single-queen and one-bedroom units; BBQ Grills in courtyard.
