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Omni Shoreham: Presidential Living for $400K

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At Washington’s Omni Shoreham Hotel, $440,000 gets you a private jet, a personal concierge, and a puppy.

By Emily Leaman Published Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Four guests at the Omni Shoreham Hotel will be living large this January. The hotel’s 44th Commander-in-Chief Package, priced at a whopping $440,000, includes lots of bells and whistles to make its four-night stay for the inauguration as deluxe as possible.

Guests will stay in the two-bedroom, 1,700-square-foot Shoreham Presidential suite. It includes living and dining rooms, a library, a full kitchen, and a balcony. They’ll be treated to private breakfasts and an in-room dinner with entertainment by political satirist Mark Russell. Because tickets for four to the swearing-in ceremony are included, the hotel will make sure that its VIP guests are well coiffed and outfitted for the event: They’ll enjoy a preinauguration makeover by Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door Salon & Spa, a $44,000 shopping spree from the Lambros Jewelry Inauguration Collection, and personalized president and first lady cologne and perfume.

Getting to and from Washington won’t be a problem either: The hotel will arrange a private jet for the guests’ arrival and departure. And when they leave, they’ll walk out the door with a puppy of their choice—yes, a puppy.

Paul Sharp, Omni’s director of marketing, will coordinate with guests ahead of time to determine exactly the kind of dog they want, and he’ll work with local rescue groups and breeders to get it—down to the color. If the foursome is made of up two couples, he’ll get two pups. “Whatever they want, I’ll get,” he says.

Another interesting twist: This package includes a trip to the Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Omni Shoreham is billing it as a “Foreign Policy Trip,” part of the presidential experience. The trip includes a five-night stay at the hotel and first-class round-trip airfare for four. Sadly, a dog sitter for this trip is not part of the deal.

UPDATE: The Washington Animal Rescue League sends letter to Omni Shoreham expressing "misgivings" about puppy giveaway. Our report is here.

What other hotels are doing:
Mandarin Oriental: $200K for Once-in-a-Lifetime Inaugural Package
The Fairmont Goes Green for the Inauguration

>> All Washingtonian.com Inauguration 2009 coverage

More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Society Photos

Comments

I have never stayed in a presidential suite before!

Posted by: Jeffrey Jackson, Jan 12, 2010 01:39:01 PM

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Mike Swann and I’m one owner of Global Concierge Services, DBA and Studio 10, LLC.

I’m writing you today to make you aware that I have 5,000 sq ft. of open Luxury New York Style Loft and Studio space for lease for any of your upcoming Inaugural events. This space will easy accommodate 1000 guess. With this space you also have the option of utilizing the 6 office spaces that are connected, so it will make a perfect venue for your events, parties, or media operations doing the 2009 historical events. As you know, property is going fast in the Washington D.C. area, I’m one of last exclusive venues within the city some 4 miles away from the Capitol building that have not been leased out! I recommend you contacting me ASAP @ (404)695-5187 or (240) 454-6391 if you feel the space will fit your needs for it is not guaranteed to be available next week.

*Property is newly purchased and is going into a renovation stage, due to be completed before first of the year. Able to furnish space to fit your needs.

I have provided a rough video of the open space link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFiFiA17t-4

Thank You,

MIKE SWANN
CEO/PRESIDENT
Global Concierge Services, DBA
(240)454-6391(Local)
(888)808-7615(Toll-free)
(404)695-5187(Cell)
Website: www.globalconcierges.com
Email: mikeswann@globalconcierges.com

Posted by: Global Concierge Services, Dec 08, 2008 01:16:53 PM

As a responsible breeder of poodles for many years, I must register my objection to this or any "give away" of any animal...dog, cat, puppy, kitten or any other. Owning an animal is a major responsibility, and should only be undertaken by a person who has carefully studied the needs of the animal, and is willing and able to commit to the care of that animal for its entire life. Even though some would sensibly decline this offer, others would take the cute puppy without thought or knowledge of the responsibility involved. When this happens, inevitably the animal is the one to suffer.....neglect or even abandonment. I hope the Ommni Shoreham will reconsider this offer, and present it’s guests with a stuffed animal instead.

Posted by: Caroline Hair, Nov 22, 2008 03:35:55 PM

If you don’t see the problem with it, then there’s no helping you see it. These animals are not objects, no matter what you think. You think the person who drops $1/2M on a hotel weekend is going to step foot in a shelter to pick out a dog? You’re fooling yourself. Maybe you should step into one, and count how many dogs they drag into the medical room to be put down every day. How many dogs that were given as gifts in there because they were too much work, and the owner really didn’t think it through. That cut little fuzzy lab becomes an 80 lb., chewing, shedding, slobbering monster who needs to go outside a handful of times per day, even in the cold and in the rain. Left untrained, as are so many of these throw aways in the shelters, they are short of impossible to place in a home. Typical.

Posted by: stu, Nov 21, 2008 08:54:11 AM

I’d love to do it, but my children’s college bills are bleeding me dry.

Posted by: mikequist1, Nov 20, 2008 06:57:44 PM

I think the whole thing sounds awesome (not that I could ever afford it). I don’t really understand the big deal about the whole dog giveaway. The article said whatever the customer wants, he’ll work with local shelters, breeders, etc. I assume if the customer has no desire for a dog, he’ll just decline that part of the package. If he does want one, so be it...he’ll get exactly the kind he wants! Really, where’s the problem here? Very interesting article, Ms. Leaman.

Posted by: wal, Nov 20, 2008 04:54:32 PM

Write to the City Paper to cover this story, and continue to notify area Rescue Leagues that this is happening:

CITY PAPER
mail@washingtoncitypaper.com
contact@washingtoncitypaper.com

VARIOUS RESCUE LEAGUE OFFICIALS
ceo@washhumane.org
Kharman@washhumane.org;
KVellenga@washhumane.org
Tdenicolas@washhumane.org@warl.org
admin@warl.org
uncle_bouki@yahoo.com
scap25@aol.com

Call, fax or write the Omni:

2500 Calvert Street NW (at Connecticut Ave.)
Washington, District of Columbia 20008
Phone: (202) 234-0700, Fax: (202) 265-7972

Or thorugh their web site:

http://www.omnihotels.com/Home/ContactUsForm.aspx?cu=HotelFeedback (select "Omni Shorham" from teh pulldown menu)

Posted by: stu, Nov 20, 2008 11:06:49 AM

The reputable animal rescues and animal shelters will want nothing to do with a puppy give-away. That is not how they operate. And for good reason. Treating animals like a free prize is NOT a good idea. I hope the Omni re-considers this ill-conceived PR move.

Posted by: Jim, Nov 20, 2008 10:21:23 AM

A puppy? That’s sick. How about donating some of that disgusting amount of money to the rescue leagues around town? They are giving a way a puppy? Disgraceful. Dogs are not objects, despite the likes of Paris Hilton toting them around town like accessories. I home the Omni rethinks that part of the package, because it just goes to show you how out of touch they are with most of the world outside their doors.

Posted by: stu, Nov 20, 2008 08:33:41 AM

SPAM

Posted by: feedbackforbonnie, Nov 20, 2008 08:29:32 AM

Isn’t it illegal to sell tickets?

Posted by: Marty, Nov 19, 2008 06:11:24 PM

Omni Shoreham: Presidential Living for $400K

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