20001 Travel Guide
Insane Hotel Packages
Hyatt Regency DC Thinks You Have $75G for an Inaugural Package
November 6, 2008 at 2:04 PM | 0 Comments
While Washington D.C. hotels prep for the 100% occupancy which will come with Obama's January inauguration, deals on rooms are selling out and fast. Wait too long and you'll be stuck blowing what's left of your 401K on one of the last remaining rooms in town, most likely an overpriced suite. Take for instance the Hyatt Regency Capital Hill, who is featuring two blow-out packages for any procrastinating rich people suffering from Obamania.
Hotel Renovations
Hyatt Regency DC Unveils Spankin' New Lobby
October 31, 2008 at 10:49 AM | 4 Comments
Finally, the Hyatt Regency Washington DC has completed the renovations on their lobby, transforming the public spaces from staid Hyatt lobby into a $7 million, tech-savvy, social scene. Here's the press release description:
An awe-inspiring grand staircase awaits guests as they enter the lobby, paralleled with new glass paneled escalators connecting them to the registration level. Modern staffed registration pods and separate self check-in kiosks ensure an easy and efficient welcome. A sparkling custom chandelier draws attention to the lobby and lounge, where luxurious couches sprinkled with fluffy pillows await, inviting guests to unwind.
Here's what that description would look like if HotelChatter was doing PR: This place looks a heck of a lot better than it used to. Yeah, we got escalators too! Got a problem with that? And in keeping the place high-tech, we added some check-in kiosks. Don't know if you'll use 'em but we got 'em. And the couches in our lobby and lounge are so comfortable you can totally pass out here after drinking one too many after Election Night.
Room rates at the Hyatt start at around $219 a night.
[Photo: Hyatt Regency DC]
Hotel Restaurants
Hyatt Regency DC's Article One 'Expands Dining Rights'
September 23, 2008 at 1:08 PM | 0 Comments
The gimmick behind the name of the soon-to-open restaurant and lounge at Washington, D.C.'s Hyatt Regency is a bit cheesy, yes, but we're suckers for a good pun and think it's cute in a groan-inducing way.
"Article One expands dining rights on Capitol Hill," the press release announces. Har har, we get it.
Just in case you aren't up to par on Constitutional fundamentals, Article One is the one that outlines the powers of Congress. So it's only fitting that a new restaurant near the Capitol would play to its potential customer base's egos.
Hyatt Hotels
The Hyatt DC Has $89 Rooms But Also Major Construction
August 18, 2008 at 12:34 PM | 0 Comments
This image here is larger than it actually appears on the Hyatt website.
Word has it the Hyatt Regency Washington DC is offering prices more in line with Super 8 than with super luxe this month. A recent email offer read:
"Plan a getaway to our nation's capital and enjoy end of summer savings. With Hyatt Regency Washington's Summer Getaway offer you'll receive luxurious accommodations on Capitol Hill at rates starting at $89 per night.
You'll also be within walking distance of the Smithsonian Museums, Union Station shopping and a number of historic DC monuments.
The offer has blackout dates from now through August 22nd but after that the $89 rate is totally bookable until September 1. But here's the fine print. Literally.
Reader Reviews
Reader Review :: Our Mother Stays at the Liaison Capitol Hill in DC
August 4, 2008 at 1:25 PM | 3 Comments
Every so often we feature a hotel review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear hotel guests. These reviews are highlighted because they are timely, about cool hotels in cool places and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? Send it in. This review actually comes from our mother who has finally started to understand what our day job is. Enjoy.
The hotel experience was about average. It was the Liaison in D. C.
The room was small with too much furniture. The desk was opposite the bed and had a desk chair in between the two. So I stubbed my bunion on the chair while walking through to the other side of the room. The rest of the hotel is cramped with low-ceilings and it looks kinda dingy.
Ray J
Hyatt Regency in DC Gives Ray-J The Boot Because of The 'Boat'
May 27, 2008 at 4:34 PM | 1 Comment
Brandy's little brother, Kim Kardashian's infamous sex-tape partner and one-time Whitney Houson tadpole Ray J was allegedly kicked out of the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC because hotel staffers found drugs in his room, specifically weed and a club drug called "Boat".
Always the first to smell celebrity drug use, TMZ reports:
We're told Ray J went to his room after partying it up, when hotel management got a complaint. It appears security went up to the room where they allegedly found all the drug stuff.
Our sources say the singer tried to bribe hotel security so he could stay but they didn't bite. We're told Ray J went crazy, arguing like a mutha. Eventually, Mr. J's own security came to the hotel and carted him away.
Ray-J has his own security detail? Does that mean we can have our own team too? We always thought you had to be somebody to have security. Anyways, we're sure Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty would be much obliged to offer Ray J tips on avoiding drug charges.
Hotel Hell
Hotel Sick Elicits No Empathy from Embassy Suites
July 20, 2006 at 3:32 PM | 1 Comment
[Ed. Note: Hotel Maven Ne0shell recently stayed at the Embassy Suites near the Convention Center in DC and was apparently booted out of his room with a sick wife in tow for a friend of the owner. We thought this only happened at luxury resorts and cooler-than-thou boutique hotels. As always, this is one person's side of the story.]
I'm very easy going, doing 100% travel can either make you a raving perfectionist or willing to overlook just about anything short of rape. I like to think I fall into the latter category.
In DC for 6 months for a long term project, I chose the newly built Embassy Suites to serve as my DC digs. In my years of travel I've learned that the most important thing is a consistent experience. Give me great service or mediocre but God please don't screw around and tease my expectations.
Unfortunately this hotel is all over the map. Valet parking often means waiting 30 minutes or more, the room service food is never the same twice and the staff range from top notch to homicidal. I brought my wife and children in for the 4th of July holiday and was distressed when they came down sick. (I blame the non-functional thermostats in the rooms; the AC will just keep running until it freezes regardless of set temperature).
More Hotel Hell after the jump.
Tips
Joe Sharkey Last Man Standing in Hotel Business Centers
July 13, 2006 at 9:30 AM | 0 Comments
In his recent column, Joe Sharkey griped about the outrageous fees the Grand Hyatt Washington DC business center which amounted to $43.55 for 22 minutes of internet use and 10 pages of printouts.
While we agree these are ridiculous fees that Hyatt is charging at its business centers, we can't help but wonder why Sharkey, a reporter who writes about business travel, is still using a business center?
Doesn't the Times pay for him to have a laptop so that he can get wireless access? Since most Hyatt hotels partner with T-Mobile Hotspots, all Sharkey has to do is pay $9.95 for a 24-hour period. Maybe he likes to keep it old school but either way, it doesn't keep him on top of the business travel beat.
Regardless, his column goes on to profile some of the very legit gripes hotel guests have with hotels today such as not allowing hangers to be removed from the closets, luxury hotels that charge for bottled water, harsh bathroom lighting, difficult alarm clocks, monster pillows and valet parking.
Still, Sharkey contends his biggest peeve is that higher end hotels charge higher fees for internet use while mid-level hotels offer it for free.
Sharkey, if only you read about our WiFi report back in March, we could have saved you the $43.55. Oh, that's right. You don't get WiFi.
Related Stories:
· They sure beat airlines but hotels could still... [NY Times]
· Worst WiFi Hotels 2006 [HotelChatter]
· Best WiFi Hotels [HotelChatter]
· Grand Hyatt Washington DC reviews [TripAdvisor]
Miscellaneous
Greener Guests
October 12, 2005 at 9:53 AM | 0 Comments
So the ice caps are melting, the sea levels are rising, the ozone is disappearing, gas is lacking, the garbage is collecting....sounds like the perfect time for a vacation, right?
You can't save the planet every day by picketing, but you can contribute by checking out a couple green-hotels.
Unfortunately running a hotel means using a lot of resources, and as a result there is a lot of waste. Green-hotels aims to turn hotels into more environmentally correct properties. More and more, hotels display sheet changing cards alerting guests to the ridiculous waste of water every time they put your pillowcase in the washer, and ask that if you aren't obsessive compulsive, or dirty, to consider reusing the linens.
Not all green hotels are located in green areas, nor are they occupied by just lefty-granola guests.
Check out some of the best green hotels, such as the hip and ultra modern Hotel George in Washington DC which offers
A variety of programs of social and environmental benefit and impact, and a green procurement program, ensuring purchases are as environmentally friendly as possible.
This recent guest opinion may be karma at work:
My husband and I stayed at the George the weekend of July 22nd, and it was nothing less than luxurious! Every member of the staff including the maids were exceptionally polite and went out of their way to please us. Our room was gorgeous and the beds were heavenly!
Related Stories:
· Hotel George Reviews [TripAdvisor]
