2013 Festival boasts parade, street fair, art shows, more celebrating 101 years of Cherry Trees.
WASHINGTON – Destination DC, the official tourism and marketing office for the nation’s capital, announces 22 dedicated hotel partners in time to welcome springtime visitors. These best addresses offer exceptional room rates March 1-May 31, 2013, vacation-perfect weeks when DC’s world-class cultural calendar springs to life with events, many inspired by the 2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival.
“To ease the visitor experience, Destination DC is spotlighting 22 hotels in Washington, DC in springtime. It’s a special time of year. The city looks beautiful and so many signature events happen,” said Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC. “For many of our visitors, walking beneath the Tidal Basin’s famous blossoms is a bucket-list item. Springtime offers other only-in-DC thrills, like embassy open-houses, White House garden tours, free concerts by the National Symphony, world-class exhibitions at our free museums, sports on the National Mall and alfresco meals in our fine restaurants.”
Among the hotels offering springtime packages focusing on experience and value:
- Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters: Each booking includes American breakfasts for two; 50% discount on valet parking for one vehicle; two Cherry Blossom cocktails (or cherry Cokes); 15-25% 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).
DC is rich with cultural experiences throughout the year, and spring 2013 is no exception. Highlights 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.
“The allure of springtime in DC is undeniable,” says Ferguson. “Whether visitors look forward to revisiting favorite monuments or make a first visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, we look forward to welcoming visitors to the city and our refreshed website, Washington.org.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
