FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2008

HOTEL UPDATE: BOOKING TIPS AND PRESIDENTIAL PACKAGES

As DC area hotels prepare to welcome guests for the 56th Presidential Inauguration, Destination DC, the official convention and tourism corporation for Washington, DC, offers tips to travelers searching for accommodations:

• There are still hotel rooms available in and around DC and its immediate suburbs. Travelers should note that most hotels are requiring a minimum stay of 3 or 4 nights. Be sure to search for at least 4 nights, and expand your search to the DC metro area for the best results.
• As the city's official convention and tourism corporation,  Destination DC is communicating regularly with hotels throughout the region in order to assist travelers searching for hotels with availability. Travelers can tap into this on-the-ground insight by calling Destination DC at 1-800-422-8644 or by starting their searches at washington.org.  
• Hotel availability is changing regularly. Many hotels are currently in the process of firming up contracts with larger groups, and rooms that aren't confirmed may become available to other travelers. 
• If you search a travel website like Expedia or Travelocity, you may find a limited number of hotels to choose from, but that doesn't mean there aren't any rooms available in the city. Many hotels are only taking reservations directly or through their corporate reservations systems. Destination DC's visitor services specialists (1-800-422-8644) can save travelers time by directing them to hotels with rooms available.

Hotels are also campaigning for inauguration visitors with themed specialty packages: 

The Ritz-Carlton is offering "Politically Correct" packages at the Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown and the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC from Jan. 17-21, 2009. The $99,000 Georgetown "Politically Correct" package includes a four night stay in a Presidential Suite, Gucci luggage, two tickets to the inaugural parade and an official inaugural ball, a four-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman to relax after the festivities have ended, and a host of other special amenities to make your stay perfectly regal.

The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC’s "Politically Correct" package includes a four night stay in a luxury suite, an $8,000 Custom Judith Ripka “Heart of the Nation” Pendant designed exclusively for the Politically Correct package, two tickets to the inaugural parade and an official inaugural ball, and personal styling services at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase, MD, including a complementary designer dress and tuxedo. These amenities, and many others, are available at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC for $50,000.

The Liaison Capitol Hill, An Affinia Hotel, is offering their version of inaugural luxury. Their four-night, $6,729 package includes four hours with a personal shopper, a four-hour outing with a private paparazzo, limo service each night, choice of two in-room spa treatments, breakfast in bed for two each morning and a swearing-in survival kit which includes a Burberry scarf and ear muffs for two, two pairs of binoculars, two umbrellas and culinary delights to-go courtesy of Art and Soul, the hotel's dining hot spot, to enjoy during the ceremony or inaugural parade.

The Mayflower, a Renaissance Hotel, is also getting in on the action.  Start with the "Ultimate Presidential" package including a three-night stay in the hotel’s Presidential or Mayflower suite; limo service to and from point of arrival and departure; his and hers inaugural jewelry from noted local gift shop, Tiny Jewel Box; Dom Perignon champagne with Baccarat toasting flutes from Tiffany & Co; in-room massage for two; 24-hour butler service; a custom-designed inaugural cocktail by legendary bartender Sambonn Lek of the hotel’s historic Town & Country Bar; inaugural petit fors specially designed by the hotel’s pastry team; and his and hers inaugural garb from Burberry to keep guests warm during the inaugural ceremony.  The "Ultimate Presidential" package is a one-of-a-kind experience for a cool $51,000.

The Mayflower is also offering a package far easier on the wallet, the "Inaugural Suite" package starting at $1,500 per night with a three-night minimum.  Guests booking this package will also get access to the exclusive Mayflower Club level which offers several food and beverage presentations throughout the day as well as a dedicated concierge plus a different commemorative inaugural gift each night at turndown. 

The Fairmont Washington, D.C. Hotel mixes in a little bit of "green" with its red, white and blue with its "Eco-Inaugural" package, which includes a four-night stay for two in the hotel's two-bedroom Lexus Hybrid Living Suite, which is designed and furnished with organic materials and rapidly renewable resources. The package also includes a custom ball gown from organic designer Linda Loudermilk, organic spa treatments for pre-festivites pampering and a Lexus LS 600h L hybrid vehicle and driver. The guests will also enjoy an organic in-suite midnight supper with eight of their "constituents." The package is priced at $40,000 and is available Jan. 18-21.

At the Renaissance M Street Hotel, inauguration-goers can take in a little bit of culture with their history with the "Inaugural Picture of Washington" package. Available Jan. 18-21, the package appeals to photography buffs with a welcome bag from the Corcoran Gallery of Art and two passes to its ground-breaking exhibition of political portraits by photographer Richard Avedon. Guests also receive a custom "Renaissance Photographer's Walking Map of Washington," showcasing the city's most powerful cultural and political hotspots, plus breakfast for two at the hotel's M Bar and an invitation for happy hour with "Abraham Lincoln," who will hold court in the hotel lobby from 4-8pm Sunday through Tuesday. The package starts at $679 per night; a 3-night minimum stay is required. 

Capitol Hill Suites is joining in the inaugural fun as well with their "Live Like a President" fantasy package, designed to pamper guests during their inaugural stay and help them get into the festive spirit of the event. The package includes accommodations for two in the hotel’s newly renovated luxury guest suite, tickets to an inaugural event, a personal chef to prepare an in-room meal, car and driver service, in-room massage, $1,000 shopping spree, and more. The package sells for $20,000 and includes a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

The newly renovated Hyatt Regency Washington's Presidential Entourage package ($75,000 for eight) includes a welcoming reception in the exclusive lounge at Article One, the hotels' newly-opened restaurant, butler services in each suite, a spa day for eight, a private tour of historical monuments, as well as tickets to the inaugural parade.

Not to be outdone, Kimpton Hotels in the Washington, DC area has announced its special Kimpton Inaugural Package - the Ba ’Rock’ Star Treatment.  The package includes in-room hair styling services; in-room makeup application for the inaugural ball; in-room manicure and pedicure, utilizing Kerstin Florian products; a gourmet platter of snacks to fuel up on before heading out for the night; choice of a 50-minute Calm Mind Massage to de-stress or Aroma Journey Massage to liven the senses; and a gift of therapeutic Detox Mineral Bath Salts.  The package can be purchased for $705 as a side package for any guestroom or services can be ordered a la carte through the hotel's spa service company, Relax and Rejuvenate.  The package is based on availability and will be available from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21 at the Hotel George, Topaz Hotel, Hotel Madera, Hotel Rouge, Hotel Palomar Washington, DC, and the Hotel Monaco Washington, DC.

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About Destination DC: Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com.