Local
Washington hotels cashing in on inauguration
By: Kaitlyn Funk
Special to The Examiner
November 7, 2008
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| The historic Willard InterContinental Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue had such high demand for rooms during the inauguration that they booked months in advance. (AP) |
Hotels ranging from five stars to the lower end are sold-out or are raising prices to take advantage of the overwhelming demand from people nationwide who want to witness the historic swearing in of the nation’s first black president.
Both the JW Marriott Hotel several blocks from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue and the Marriott Wardman Park in Cleveland Park are sold-out, including a $1 million, 300-room inauguration package, said spokesman Mark Indre. The three-night package for the JW Marriott includes all presidential suites, the 12th floor terrace and $200,000 in beverages.
Because Obama’s election is historic, guests booked quickly and were willing to splurge on big price tags, Indre said.
The historic Willard InterContinental Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue had such high demand that a waiting list was compiled months ago and individuals were offered rooms with a four-night minimum starting at $949 plus tax once Obama was announced president-elect Tuesday night.
The inauguration is Jan. 20, a Tuesday, with the traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House after the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol.
While all rooms have been sold out since Election Day, Willard spokeswoman Barbara Bahny David said, “We may have a couple in our pocket for VIPs.”
Jennifer Elena, spokeswoman for the Hay-Adams, located in Lafayette Square across from the White House, said the hotel’s 21 suites sold out months ago and all remaining rooms were claimed on a first come, first serve basis early Wednesday morning.
Elena said the demand is always higher for inaugurations when a new president is sworn in as opposed to an incumbent. Though the Hay-Adams didn’t raise prices, its suites, which range from $535 to $3,200 depending on the view, don’t come cheap.
And lower-end hotels are selling rooms at rates almost matching their five-star counterparts. The Quality Inn on New York Avenue in Northeast has been sold-out during inauguration week for two months. The hotel raised prices from its standard $99.99 plus tax to $269 plus tax with a three-night minimum and no refunds.
The Motel 6 on Georgia Avenue in Northwest also sold out for the inauguration, but an employee said prices remained at the standard $69.99 to $79.99 per night.
Hotels aren’t the only ones making a profit off those looking for lodging. Hundreds of local residents have posted advertisements on Craigslist that offer their condos and town houses — from Foggy Bottom to Occoquan Village — for rent during the four-day inauguration weekend. One post offers a two-bedroom carriage house near Eastern Market for rental for $3,500.
As prices skyrocket, some who refuse to give up the chance to witness history have gotten creative. A man from Louisiana posted an ad on Craigslist offering culinary services in exchange for a place to sleep. He and his four children, ages 9 to 18, plan to drive 1,400 miles for Obama’s inauguration ceremony.
“As a native Louisiana chef, I would be willing to slave in your kitchen to create an authentic Louisiana feast,” the man writes. “I just need a floor, corner, sofa, chair, it really doesn't matter.”
