Destination DC, the official tourism and marketing office for the nation's capital, has announced 22 dedicated hotel partners that are offering special room rates March 1-May 31, 2013, just in time for the 2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Perks for the Festival include:
Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters: Each booking includes American breakfasts for two; 50 percent discount on valet parking for one vehicle; two Cherry Blossom cocktails (or cherry Cokes); 15-25 percent discount in hotel restaurants; and an upgrade to a studio suite with kitchenette (based on availability).
Comfort Inn & Suites Near Union Station: One tote bag with cherry blossom fleece travel blanket, complimentary breakfast, free WiFi.
Embassy Row Hotel: Continental breakfast for two; cherry blossom greeting cards and stamps; two one-day Metro passes; two cherry cordials; free WiFi.
Arguably the highlight of DC's springtime calendar is the 2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20-April 14) honoring the 101th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees from the Mayor of Tokyo, Japan to the people of Washington, DC. While the actual blossoms can bloom as long as 14 days, the nation's largest springtime celebration "pinks" the city with free and family-friendly events such as the Blossom Kite Festival (March 30); Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival (April 6) and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and Sakura Matsuri Japanese street festival (April 13).
Some of the other cultural experiences in the city include "Pre-Raphaelites: Victorian Art and Design, 1848-1900" at the National Gallery of Art (thru May 19); Washington Nationals' Opening Day (April 1) the White House Easter Egg Roll (April 1); FilmFest DC (April 11-21); the embassy open house series Passport DC (throughout the month of May) and "Look Both Ways," a celebration of international street art traditions at the Kennedy Center and beyond (May 5-13).
Participating hotels include:
Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters
Capitol Skyline Hotel
Comfort Inn & Suites Near Union Station
Courtyard by Marriott Washington Capitol Hill Navy Yard
Days Inn Washington DC/Connecticut Avenue
Embassy Row Hotel
The Fairmont Washington, DC Georgetown
Georgetown Suites
Holiday Inn Washington DC-Central/White House
Hilton Crystal City at National Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Washington, DC/US Capitol
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
The Liaison Capitol Hill, An Affinia Hotel
Loews Madison Hotel
Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC
Phoenix Park Hotel
Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel
Residence Inn by Marriott Washington , DC/Capitol Hill
The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
The St. Gregory Hotel and Suites
Washington Court Hotel
Hotel reservations can be secured online: Washington.org/spring and by phone: 1-877-44BLOOM (1-877-442-5666).