Travel to Groningen
The easiest is to take a flight to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
From the airport, direct trains go up to Groningen every hour; or every
30 minutes with a change of trains at Amersfoort. The train ride takes
about 2.5 hours; see here for the schedule.
Alternatively, you may take a flight to Bremen Airport (in Germany),
which is served by several low-cost carriers. There is a direct bus
service to Groningen every two hours: see here for the schedule. Renting
a car is also an option, of course.
People coming by car should be aware that parking on the university
campus is only possible with a permit. Visitor permits (valid for one
day) can be obtained from the SRON secretary upon arrival.
Hotels in Groningen
The institute is at the university campus North of town, whereas all
hotels are located downtown. To get to campus from the city, walk to
Grote Markt (the main square) and take bus 11 or 15 in direction
Zernike. Get off at Zernikelaan (the second stop after passing under
the highway). The astronomy department is in the low, brown building on
the left (West) side of the street. See here
for a sketch of the situation.
Martini Hotel: business hotel
downtown
Schimmelpenninck Huys:
classic hotel downtown, with a good restaurant
Best Western City Hotel:
business hotel downtown (opposite the casino!)
University guest house:
affordable, close to many restaurants and bars
Hotel De Ville: the "luxury" choice
Mercure
Hotel: away from downtown, but close to the highway: a good choice
for those coming by car
Hotel de Doelen: on Main
Square, in the heart of the night life
Restaurants in Groningen
Ni Hao (Chinese wok-it-yourself): Kattendiep
Humphreys (classical food): Vismarkt
Four Roses (Mexican): Oosterstraat
Cave Oporto (Portugese): Brugstraat
Satéhuis (Indonesian): Herestraat
Feithhuis (classical): Martinikerkhof