The Willard brings the pink blossoms indoors with its Very Cherry package. Photograph courtesy of the Willard InterContinental Hotel.
As tourists flood into our city for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington hotels get ready to accommodate the temporary population surge with dozens of special packages. Got friends or family coming in 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 two 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 valet parking and a full breakfast for two. Rates start at $119; March 25 through April 10. Call 202-488-7500 and mention the Cherry Blossom Festival to book this package.
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 including valet parking, a picnic lunch, and a cherry-themed continental breakfast. Rates start at $299; March 26 through April 10. Call 202-540-5000 to book the Eldon’s Cherry Blossom Festival package.
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 photos by DC photographer Jake McGuire of local monuments during the blossoms’ full bloom. Rates start at $229; March 25 through April 15. Book the Fairmont’s Cherry Blossom package.
Hay-Adams: Cherry Blossom Festival Package
This luxurious hotel’s cherry-blossom package includes American breakfast for two, valet parking, a festival information package, and a special cherry amenity. You must stay a minimum of two nights. Rates start at $499; March 25 through April 10. Book the Hay-Adams’s Cherry Blossom Festival package (scroll down on the page).
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. Your stay also includes a box of cherry-blossom inspired chocolates from local chocolatier Artisan Confections, a light picnic furnished by Art and Soul restaurant, and two $10 Metro passes to help you avoid long lines at the farecard machines. Rates start at $199; March 24 through April 30, but you must book by March 26. Book the Cherry Blossom Getaway Package.
Mandarin Oriental: Cherry Blossoms Bloom Package
You might not have to leave your room to see the blooms at this hotel, which overlooks the Tidal Basin. The package includes a buffet breakfast for four at Sou’Wester restaurant, valet parking, 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 e-mail mowas.reservations@mohg.com to book 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 kid’s-menu breakfast); and a children’s backpack filled with sightseeing necessities. Rates start at $349; March 4 through April 24. Book the Spring Cherry Blossom Package here or call 800-778-7477.
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown: Bike to the Blossoms Package
The cherry blossoms burst as soon as the weather turns balmy and bright—so if the blooms are out, it’s a perfect day for a bike ride around the Mall. In addition to valet parking and overnight deluxe room accommodations, this package gives you two bikes to ride to the Tidal Basin and a cherry-inspired picnic lunch to enjoy once you get there. Rates start at $629; March 26 through April 10. Book the Bike to the Blossoms Package.
Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City: “Brrrr . . . Has Spring Arrived Yet?” Package
The cherry blossoms signal that its officially time to put your down coat away, and this package lets you celebrate the return of spring in general. Running through April 30, it includes deluxe or suite accommodations for two, full breakfast and a cherry-themed drink at Fyve Restaurant, a coffee-table photo book of the blossoms, and valet parking. Rates start at $359; book “Brrrr . . . Has Spring Arrived Yet?”
Ritz-Carlton Washington DC: Rejuvenating Cherry Blossom Package
Get pampered during your Cherry Blossom Festival visit. This package for two guests includes a cherry-blossom facial or body wrap at the spa, access to the Sports Club/LA, a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut (a special cherry-blossom bottle of Rosé Champagne), and valet parking. Rates start at $729; through April. Book the Rejuvenating Cherry Blossom Package or call 202-974-5557.
Savoy Suites Hotel: Cherry Blossom Festival Vacation Package
The Savoy Suites is the only hotel on this list that isn’t close to the Tidal Basin (almost four miles away), but this package feeds well. Accommodations include daily breakfast for two, 20 percent off all food and beverages, plus on-site parking, a festival guidebook, and a 2 PM checkout. You must stay at least two nights to take advantage of this package. Rates start at $159; March 26 through April 10. Book the Savoy’s Cherry Blossom Festival package.
St. Regis: A Cherry Blossom Experience
The St. Regis is offering a che
rry-blossom experience with generous accommodations that include a stay in a superior room, daily breakfast at Adour restaurant, four tickets for the Old Town Trolley Tour, two cherry-blossom cocktails at the St. Regis Bar, a complimentary in-room movie, and valet parking. Rates start at $465; March 25 through April 17. Book A Cherry Blossom Experience package (scroll down the page).
The W Hotel: Who Wants a Cherry On Top?
Bypass the crowds with rooftop views of the blossoms at the W Hotel. The package includes two cocktails and J&G Steakhouse crackling cherry pie for two in the POV rooftop lounge, as well as a bottle of Champagne in your room. Rates start at $319; Thursday through Sunday arrivals from March 17 through April 30. Book Who Wants a Cherry On Top? (scroll down the page).
Washington Marriott at Metro Center: Flower Power Package
A few of Marriott’s DC locations are letting guests celebrate all of spring’s blooms with this package. It includes deluxe room accommodations, breakfast for two, and complimentary flower-themed drinks for two at the restaurant (the drink is cherry-themed for the festival). Rates start at $209; through June 6. Book the Flower Power package here. You can also book it at the Mayflower Renaissance Washington, DC (starting at $219), and the JW Marriott (starting at $229).
Willard InterContinental: Very Cherry Package
If you’d like to take in some sights in addition to the blossoms, this package may suit you. It includes accommodations for two, valet parking, a “special cherry amenity,” $50 food and beverage credit, and two tickets for Tourmobile, one of DC’s open-air tour buses and the only one authorized to tour Arlington National Cemetery. Rates start at $399; weekends March 25 through April 9. Book the Very Cherry Package.
