The 18-room Clifton Inn is offering inauguration packages for less than $2,600—a steal compared with the Omni Shoreham’s $440,000 offering. But the Omni and other high-priced Washington hotels have one important thing the Clifton doesn’t: a prime location. Tucked away in Charlottesville, Clifton is two hours from the inaugural action.

To get around that detail, the inn offers to arrange a shuttle to usher its guests to and from downtown DC on January 20—but it’ll cost you. The service, not included in the packages, costs $150 per person for up to 12 people. That could add an extra $1,800 to your budget if you rent the whole shuttle. A private limo can also be arranged for an extra charge. Buyer beware.

Here’s what the Clifton’s packages do include: For $2,595, guests are treated to a five-night stay, daily breakfast and afternoon tea, a pair of four-course dinners for two, and passes to Monticello and other historic sites in the area. The more wallet-friendly package—$1,895 for three nights—includes the amenities above but only one four-course dinner for two.

What other hotels are doing:
Hilton Washington Offers VIP Tour of President’s Walkway, Holding Room
Omni Shoreham: Presidential Living for $400K
Mandarin Oriental: $200K for Once-in-a-Lifetime Inaugural Package

>> All Washingtonian.com Inauguration 2009 coverage 

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