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Washington Marriott at Metro Center Gets Spiffed Up
In recent years, Washington DC's downtown has transformed into a destination you might actually want to hang out. Or at the very least, those safe-clean-friendly claims being made about it a few years ago are now much closer to being true! Think haute restaurants, quality theatre and galleries, and much, much more foot traffic. (There's even a trendier name for the 'hood: Penn Quarter.)
For Marriott's part, they've responded to the neighborhood's spiffier image with an $11 million renovation at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center, just in time to celebrate the hotel's 15-year anniversary. The 459-room hotel recently unveiled its new contemporary look and feel, which includes 32-inch plasma screen TVs, tech-friendly plug-in panels, and check-in self-serve kiosks. In the lobby, "semi-private seating nooks" give comfortable spaces for guests to work or mingle, particularly thanks to the free WiFi.
Tags: Washington DC Hotels / Kimpton Hotels / Aloft Hotels / Doubletree Hotels / Five Best / Lists / → All Tags
The Five Best Hotels Just Outside of Washington, D.C.
In many cities, a suburban stay equals hours on the train each morning and night. But Washington D.C. is small enough that its closest suburbs are often destinations in their own rights — from Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, to downtown Bethesda, Maryland. Throw in D.C.’s crime-ridden rap, combined with the suburbs-serving Metro, and suddenly it makes sense why so many D.C. tourists actually spend the night in a neighboring city (where, ahem, the residents have the right to vote).
Of course, this is hardly a secret; so if you’re looking to the suburbs for a no-frills deal, stick to family-friendly classics. Otherwise, here are our picks for five convenient suburban DC hotels that offer more than just a free (stale) breakfast.
Tags: Hotel Packages / Loews Hotels / Washington DC Hotels / → All Tags
Live Out Your National Geographic Dreams at the Loews Madison
We’ll admit, we’ve always been suckers for a good pile of in-room magazines. But the Loews Madison in DC is offering something even better — the chance to step into, literally, one of everyone’s favorite magazines, National Geographic. To coincide with the National Geographic Museum’s upcoming exhibit, “Terra Cotta Warriors,” the Loews Madison is celebrating its close proximity — two blocks away — with a package deal.
The “National Geographic Museum Terra Cotta Warriors” package features two premium “anytime” tickets to the museum exhibition, overnight “deluxe” accommodations, and a 20-percent discount at the NatGeo store.
The exhibit runs Nov. 19 through March 31, showcasing 15 terra cotta warriors and other artifacts from the tomb of China’s first emperor, from stone armor and weapons to coins and bronze vessels.
Package rates start at $149 and is available throughout the exhibition run.
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Relive Robert Langdon's Quest at DC's Dupont Hotel (And Empty Your Wallets Too)
Oh lordy, it’s begun. We speak, of course, of the inevitable descent of Dan Brown fanatics looking to unlock the secrets of the Masonry in DC as described in his new bestseller novel, “The Lost Symbol.” And just as inevitable: DC hotels looking to cash in on the influx of tourists. The new boutique Dupont Hotel leads the way with its “Ultimate Lost Symbol Package.”
With a $5,999 price tag, you might need to sweet talk Dan Brown into footing your bill, but that’s besides the point. True devotees know no cost, we suppose.
Tags: Hotel News / Washington DC Hotels / W Hotels / → All Tags
Can Washington D.C. Handle More W Hotels?
So the W Washington D.C. is officially open after last week’s splashy opening party, and apparently now that the journalists who attended have emerged from their hangovers, we hear there was more than just John Legend, Marie Antoinette look-alikes, and powder-wigged folks working the crowd.
Starwood CEO Frits van Paasschen not only made an appearance but revealed a juicy bit of news — DC is among the cities he’s eyeing for a “more expansive rollout of the W brand,” such as New York City’s 5 Ws, reports the Washington Business Journal. Of course, what that means in reality is yet to be seen, but it’s interesting to hear such optimism for D.C. only a few months after the nation’s capital finally got its first W.
“Washington is certainly a place where we’d love to do that, and we’re always looking at opportunities,” van Paasschen said. “I think the W brand brings something new to the DC market, fills a void.”
The WBJ also reports that Starwood plans to open 30 to 60 new W Hotels over the next three years.
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Buy Champagne, Get a Free Night's Stay at the DC Sofitel
Few things make an ordinary evening sparkle quite like, well, good bubbly. (Not that we’re all that experienced in the realm of actual good-quality Champagne, mind you, but even the cheapo bottles of Andre always seemed to do the trick in college.)
So we imagine a nice bottle of Champagne would have the same effect on what might otherwise be a relatively ordinary — albeit, yes, fancypants — stay at the Sofitel in Washington, DC. The top-tier French hotel has paired with Champagne Pommery to inject DC with a double-dose of classic French luxury. Patrons of the hotel’s bar who purchase a $299 bottle of the Cuvée Louise 1998 Champagne will receive quite a nice reward: a free night’s stay at the hotel.
The offer fizzles Dec. 31 and is available with or without reservations (based on availability, obviously). Weekend rates for the next month at the Sofitel start anywhere from $175 (Halloween weekend) to $330 (tonight).
Tags: Refereeing Hotel Reviews / W Hotels / Washington DC Hotels / → All Tags
The W's 'Congress of Cool' Gets Some Partisan Reviews
It’s been two months since the doors swung wide at what's arguably DC’s most hyped hotel opening of the year — the W, duh — so we thought we’d check back in on the swirling review chatter, especially now that people are talking about the hotel itself and not just the rooftop POV bar.
Over at TripAdvisor, it’s registering with a 68% approval rating. Not too shabby. But true to DC form, people seem to be awfully partisan when it comes to the Congress of Cool, making reviews range from scathing to glowing.
Tags: NYT Reviews / Washington DC Hotels / Budget Hotels / Hotel Renovations / → All Tags
The Capitol Skyline Hotel: 'A Giant Concrete Submarine Headed Back to the Future'
Jetsons lovers, take note: The NYT checked in to an off-the-beaten-path DC hotel and deemed it somewhere the space-age family "might have vacationed — a giant concrete submarine headed back to the future.” Though it’s docked between the Capitol and the new-in-2008 Nationals ballpark, the Capitol Skyline Hotel takes up a city block in a weirdly void location in the small-and-unloved Southwest quadrant of Washington.
Originally designed by Miami Beach’s Morris Lapidus in the 1960s, the 203-room hotel later became a Best Western. In 2001, the hotel was purchased by the late Steve Rubell’s brother’s family, who have been quietly transforming the hotel ever since, starting with a “playful modernist lobby that includes two Frank Gehry twisted wood chairs, and a large pool out in back,” says the NYT.
Tags: Hotel Awards / Green Hotels / Intercontinental Hotels / Washington DC Hotels / → All Tags
Willard InterContinental Is Good For The Earth But Still Too Expensive For Us
While we continue to ponder the hefty price tag on DC’s very-soon-to-open Jefferson Hotel, another chi-chi Washington hotel has caught our attention. The classic Willard InterContinental received a Conde Nast Traveler “World Savers” award for its commitment to the environment and communities in need.
This is CNT’s third year to give out the awards, which honor global travel companies for their leadership in social responsibility causes. The Willard was the overall winner in the City Hotel category (we guess living across the street from the White House must be inspiring). You can find the rest of the winners here.
Tags: Hotel Delays / Washington DC Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Openings / → All Tags
The Jefferson Hotel Gets Delayed a Week
[Update: We were looking at the wrong room category. Room rates will be available for $300 for the hotel's classic king room category on the weekends. Mid-week rates will start at $380. We apologize for the error.]
We thought The Jefferson Hotel in Washington, DC would be open by now but when we went to check out the going rates, we found that we could not make reservations until next week, August 31. The Washington Business Journal has also confirmed the hotel's "new" opening date.
But aside from the delay, which to be honest is not all that bad in the scheme of things, the room rates have gone up. Last we heard, the rates would be around $300. Yet they've actually gone up to $440 a night. That's even with the special opening discount of 20 percent. Seriously, Jefferson? That's just not reasonable anymore. It's not like you even have a presidential inauguration to look forward to either. Why can't you just let the people experience your hotel first before jacking the rates? How can you expect folks to try a brand-new hotel at that rate? Surely, Thomas Jefferson would have something to say about this.
But if some of you out there are keen to stay here, hit up the hotel on the weekends when rates start at an equally ridiculous a cheaper rate of $380 a night.
Tags: Labor Day Hotels / Washington DC Hotels / Kimpton Hotels / Hotel Deals / → All Tags
Kimpton Knocks Back The Rates at Their DC-Area Hotels
There’s a reason Congress recesses in August. No, it’s not really so they can hold angry town hall meetings, but because DC is hellishly hot this time of year. And the only thing worse than sweating-through-their-suits lobbyists is equally sweaty civil servants. (Trust us.)
But! If you can handle the heat—and find indoor activities to keep you cool—DC isn’t such a bad destination this time of year. The mass exodus of locals towards beach houses and boats on the Chesapeake equates into a quiet, pleasant vibe around town. Not to mention, discounts for intrepid travelers!
Case in point: At 11 of Kimpton’s Washington-area hotels, guests who book one weekend night now through Labor Day (Sept. 7) get the second night half off, and guests who book two nights get the third night free. The “Summer Send Off” rate offers a discount of 25 to 33 percent off the best available rate.
Tags: Hotel Openings / Hotel Renovations / Washington DC Hotels / → All Tags
DC's Jefferson Hotel Taking Reservations for Aug. 24
While TA reviewers continue to duke it out over the W Washington DC’s semi-iffy first month in service, DC’s classic Jefferson Hotel is quietly preparing to open. Soon!
We’re still awaiting word on the official opening date, but here’s what we know: The Jefferson is accepting reservations starting Aug. 24, a fact that’s been confirmed by the Jefferson’s team. Here’s what else we know: The hotel’s restaurant, Plume, and bar, Quill, will be fully operational on Aug. 24. And the Jefferson is offering 20 percent off stays through October 3, with rates starting at $300 for a weekend night stay.
Pricey, of course, but that’s actually lower than they told us back in May. And we’re expecting a pretty nice value for that money. After all, this place has been revamped with all the bells and whistles Mr. Jefferson himself would have fancied.
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