HotelChatter

Tags: Hotel Deals / → All Tags

Summer Hotel Love: Weekend Getaway Giveaway

Where: 2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW [map], Washington DC, dc, United States, 20036

Another hotel pool, another hotel deal. Kinda.

The Hilton Embassy Row in Washington, DC is giving away a free weekend getaway to one person a month for the summer.

All they ask is that you sign up for their mailing list. They then randomly pick one person who will receive the Summer Splash package which includes:

· Hotel accommodations
· Full breakfast buffet
· Complimentary valet parking in our garage for each night of your stay
· All-day Metro passes
· Rooftop pool access

It's not an instant deal but could be fun to enter. Blackout dates apply but if you win, your weekend stay is valid through 2006.

However, the hotel location at near the Dupont Circle Metro at Q Street seems to be one of the best things going for the hotel as one guest complained:

The front desk clerk was rude and could care less about helping the guest check-in to the hotel. The first room he gave us was on the 5th floor and believe me when I say that I did not want to take my shoes off due to the carpet had so many stains on it. The second room was nicer, on the 7th floor....The room was small , but the beds were so comfortable. That alone was not worth hundreds of dollars we spent in the hotel. The location is GREAT! One last note about the drinks in the bar- go elsewhere. We got a draft beer and one martini $21.00.

Perhaps they should throw in some free drinks into that winning package as well.

Related Stories:
· Hilton Embassy Row reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Hanging at the Pool...In India? [HotelChatter]

Tags: Hotel News / Hotel Staff / → All Tags

Hotel Palomar's Doormen to Leap and Twirl for You

Where: 2121 P Street, NW [map], Washington DC, dc, United States, 20037

Do you ever find yourself complaining about your hotel concierge's lack of grace, pizzazz, or lightness on his feet? Well most likely not, but there's room for improvement everywhere right? The new Hotel Palomar in DC seems to think so, which is why their staff is being trained by the Washington Ballet to improve their grace. The hotel's manager Brett Orlando explained to WTOP Radio:

Being able to open a door with panache, or carrying a bag with flair is just another way to improve a customer's experience.

We love this effort and the way it plays out in our head, almost like a Broadway musical where deliciously dressed bellboys are tap dancing upon our entrance, grabbing our suitcases and dancing away from them all the while, twirling around the golden rods of their luggage chariots.

In reality however, we only hope that the hotel shines in every other important area as well because if not, the graceful efforts will be completely overlooked.

Related Stories:
· Can Ballet Make Your Hotel Stay More Enjoyable? [WTOPNews]

Tags: Hotel Deals / → All Tags

DC's Kid Friendly Deal

Where: 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW [map], Washington DC, dc, United States, 20004

Thinking about going to Washington D.C., with the kids for the annual National Cherry  Blossom Festival? The Williard Intercontinental is offering the Very Cherry Willard package. For $299 you get a one-night stay, plus your choice of breakfast, a room upgrade, parking or a 50 percent discount on a second room for the kids, The latter is probably the most bang for your buck.

The famous cherry blossoms were a gift from Japan in 1912, that signals the coming of Spring with an "explosion of life and color" in pink and white around the Jefferson Memorial.

The deal is in place from March 24 to April 16. The actual festival starts on March 25.

Image via Sumerman/Flickr

Related Stories:
· Bloom Watch [National Cherry Blossom Festival]
· Washington Intercontinental reviews [TripAdvisor]

Tags: Celebrity Scoop / Movie Set Hotels / → All Tags

DC's Mayflower Serves As Movie Location

Where: 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW [map], Washington DC, dc, United States, 20036

"The Sentinel" stars Michael Douglas, Kim Basinger. Kiefer Sutherland and Eva Longoria, and now, the upscale Mayflower Hotel in DC.

DC's mayor, Anthony A. Williams, even has a cameo in the movie.

The movie is tentatively scheduled for release in 2006.

As for the rest of the hotel, here is what one recent guest said about the property:

We enjoyed this centrally located hotel. Elevators were fast, doormen were helpful in getting taxi's fast, concierge very helpful w/metro directions, making restaurant reservations for us & just helping with general information. Our room was on 3rd floor overlooking a quiet side street so we slept GREAT!!!

Related Stories:
·   D.C.'s Mayor Films Cameo With Douglas [Newsday]
·   Mayflower Hotel Reviews [TripAdvisor]
·   Mayflower Hotel In DC Welcomes Film Crew [blog.travelpost.com]

Tags: Hotel News / → All Tags

Marrion Barry: Still A Crack Up 14 Years Later

Where: 1400 M Street NW. [map], Washington DC, dc, United States, 20003

[Publisher's Note: This hotel has once again changed its name, the property now goes by the moniker "Wyndham Washington". Funny, Mayor Barry gets to keep his name and reclaim his job, but the hotel goes through a two name identity crisis.

VH1's debut episode of its week long I love the '90s clip-travaganza started off strong: Twin Peaks' dancing midgets, Sinead O'Connor's tear-jerking "Nothing compares" video -- and, of course -- the best story of 1990.

I'm speaking of then-D.C. mayor Marrion Barry getting caught on tape kickin' it with whores and smoking crack in the Vista Hotel (which has since, for whatever reason, changed its identity to the Westin City DC City Center Wyndham Washington, FYI).

Funnier yet, after his brief stint in cell block, Barry was reelected mayor in 1994.

One of VH1's dopey talking heads aptly noted you can do anything wrong in America and end up even more beloved, so long as you say "I'm sorry."

Another noted Barry put the "Columbia" back in "District of Columbia" -- but has yet to say "I'm sorry" for the joke.