Guests at the Hay-Adams will receive an official commemorative Cherry Blossom tote bag with their stay. Photograph courtesy of the Hay-Adams.
As tourists flood Washington for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, local hotels get ready to accommodate the temporary population surge with dozens of special packages. Got friends or family coming to town? Make their trip planning a little easier with our guide to where to stay. We’ve sifted through the options and rounded up the most appealing deals. Each hotel listed is within just a few miles of the Tidal Basin and offers special amenities such as complimentary drinks, spa treatments, and commemorative items.
Capitol Hill Skyline Hotel: Cherry Blossom Package
Kick off your cherry blossom celebration with complimentary chocolate-covered cherries, which you receive on arrival. The package includes self parking, a breakfast buffet for two, and daily shuttles to the Mall. Rates start at $239; March 20 through April 30. Call 877-442-5666 or book online.
Eldon Luxury Suites: Cherry Blossom Festival Package
This sleek, small hotel, located a ten-minute taxi ride from the Mall, is offering a stay for two that includes valet parking, a picnic lunch basket, and a cherry-themed continental breakfast. Rates start at $299; March 20 through April 27. Call 202-540-5000 to book.
The Fairmont: Cherry Blossom Package
This package includes an overnight stay for two in a Fairmont room (one king-size or two twin beds), complimentary valet parking, and a box of notecards featuring photographer Jake McGuire’s shots of local monuments with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Rates start at $249; March 20 through April 27. Book online here.
Hay-Adams: Cherry Blossom Festival Package
This luxurious hotel’s deal includes a full American breakfast for two, a cherry blossom festival information packet, an official commemorative cherry blossom tote bag, and a special cherry amenity. You must stay a minimum of two nights. Rates start at $429; March 23 through April 15. Book the Cherry Blossom Festival Package here.
L’Enfant Plaza Hotel: Centennial Cherry Blossom Package
Located a stone’s throw away from the cherry blossoms, L’Enfant is a great option to experience this year’s centennial celebration. The package includes a daily breakfast buffet for two, valet parking, and a commemorative cherry blossom souvenir. You must stay a minimum of two nights. Rates start at $339; March 20 through April 30. Book online here.
Liaison Capitol Hill: Cherry Blossom Getaway Package
Many people learn the hard way (from an angry National Park Service ranger) that the cherry trees are not to be leaned on, climbed, or plucked (regardless of how pretty a bloom would look behind your ear). This package gives you a commemorative cherry blossom branch–sans admonishment–with your accommodations. The guestrooms are newly renovated, and you can request specific amenities via MyAffinia. Your stay also includes a box of cherry-blossom-inspired chocolates and a light picnic furnished by Art and Soul restaurant, and one $10 Metro pass per person, per day to help you avoid long lines at the farecard machines. Rates start at $199; March 22 through April 22, but you must book by April 21. Book online here.
Mandarin Oriental: Cherry Blossoms Bloom Package
You might not even have to leave your room to see the blooms at this hotel, which overlooks the Tidal Basin. The package includes overnight valet parking, a buffet breakfast for four at Sou’Wester restaurant, cherry treats from the executive chef, and 20 percent off the spa’s Cherry Blossom Ritual (redeemable weekdays only on a first-come, first-served basis; the hotel recommends booking ten days in advance to guarantee availability). Rates start at $395; March 25 through April 10. Call 888-888-1778 or book online by selecting the Cherry Blossoms Bloom package.
Park Hyatt Washington: Spring Cherry Blossom Package
This family package includes a complimentary upgrade to a deluxe room; a pot of rare, vintage cherry blossom green tea on arrival; continental breakfast for two adults (plus kids’ menu breakfast); and a children’s backpack filled with sightseeing necessities. For each package sold, Park Hyatt Washington will make a donation to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in honor of its centennial anniversary. Rates start at $349; March 5 through April 29. Book online here or call 800-778-7477.
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown: Cherry Blossom Centennial Celebration
The cherry trees burst into bloom as soon as the weather turns balmy and bright–so if the blossoms are out, it’s a perfect day for a bike ride around the Mall. In addition to valet parking and overnight suite accommodations, this package gives you two bikes to ride to the Tidal Basin, a cherry-inspired dinner for two at Degrees Bistro, followed by cherry-chocolate s’mores and cherry-inspired cocktails for two by the hotel’s wood-burning fireplace. Rates start at $929; March 1 through May 31. Call 800-542-8680 for reservations or book online.
Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City: Blossoming Adventures Cherry Blossom Centennial Celebration
Running for March 21 through April 29, this package includes deluxe accommodations for two, American breakfast at Fyve Restaurant, a copy of the office book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, unlimited Metrorail passes for two, complimentary use of the fitness center, indoor pool, and sauna facilities, maps of the area, museum and cherry blossom festivity information, and valet parking. Rates start at $199; call 703-415-5000 to reserve or reserve online here.
Ritz-Carlton Washington DC: Cherry Blossom Give-a-Tree
Enjoy Mother Nature’s splendor, then give something back: With this package, a deluxe guest room comes with a Give-a-Tree card, featuring the official artwork of the cherry blossom festival, for which the National Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in a national forest. The package also includes a breakfast for two in the Lobby Cafe and overnight valet parking. Rates start at $409; March 1 through May 31. Book online here or call 800-558-9994.
The W Hotel: W Puts the Cherry on Top!
Bypass the crowds with rooftop views of the flowers at the W Hotel. The package includes signature cherry-inspired cocktails for two in the POV rooftop lounge, as well as Champagne and cherry cake pops for two in your room. Rates start at $299; through April 27. Book online here (scroll down the page) or call 877-822-0000 to reserve.
Washington Marriott at Metro Center: Cherry Blossom Festival Package
A few of Marriott’s DC locations are letting guests celebrate all of spring’s blooms with these packages. It includes a $15 Metro pass per night and self parking. Rates start at $249; Thursday through Sunday from March 29 through April 29. The Mayflower Renaissance Washington, DC (starting at $259), and the JW Mariott (starting at $229) are also offering a Cherry Blossom Package, which includes a bottle of Champagne per day. Call 888-236-2427 to reserve at any of these Mariott hotels.
Willard InterContinental: Very Cherry Blossom Package
DC’s historic Willard Hotel has an array of blossom-inspired festivities in honor of the centennial anniversary. The overnight package includes accommodations for two, valet parking, a picnic lunch for two, and Old Town Trolley tour tickets. Rates start at $449; weekends March 20 through April 27. Call 800-827-1747 to reserve. Don’t miss the famous afternoon tea in the blossom-laden Peacock Alley, accompanied by tea sweets and Japanese-inspired savories to the soothing sounds of the koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument. $39 per person; call 202-637-7350 to reserve. There are also specially designed French-Japanese-cherry fusion prix-fixe menus that change on alternate days at Cafe du Parc. Priced at $30 for lunch and $48 for dinner. Call 202-942-7000 to reserve a table.
Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters: Cherry Blossom Centennial Celebration Package
Located just four blocks from the White House, the Beacon Hotel and Corporate Headquarters is within walking distance from the blooming trees. The package includes an American breakfast for two, valet parking, centennial blossom martinis or cherry Cokes, an upgrade to a studio suite with a kitchenette, and a discount at the Beacon Bar & Grill. Rates start at $321; March 20 through April 26. St. Gregory Hotel and Suites is also offering this package. Rates start at $149 for weekends and $259 for weekdays. Call 877-442-5666 or book online.
The Fairfax at Embassy Row, Washington DC: Cherry Blossom Festival Package
Stay in this luxurious hotel nestled among DC’s iconic monuments, embassies, and boutiques with the Tidal Basin nearby. The package includes an American breakfast for two and a cherry-blossom-themed cocktail and keepsake. Rates start at $509; March 20 through April 27. Reserve online.
Kimpton Hotels: Bubbles and Blossoms Package
Kimpton will commemorate the festival with cherry blossom-inspired perks. The Bubbles and Blossoms package will be available at all 10 Kimpton hotels in Washington and Northern Virginia. It includes a handcrafted Cherry Blossom soap from Aurora Bath, a $30 room credit per day (can be used towards dinner, breakfast, or parking), a complimentary wine hour with sake, and a bubble welcome amenity for all kids at check-in. Rates start at $229; March 20 through April 27. Call 1-800-KIMPTON and ask for the Bubbles and Blossoms package or reserve online here and enter rate code BLOOM.
See our Cherry Blossom Festival 2012 Guide here.
