Springtime In Washington, DC Features 20 Hotel Partners

2013 Festival Boasts Parade, Street Fair, Art Shows, More Celebrating 101 Years of Cherry Trees

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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. Hotel reservations can be secured online: Washington.org/spring and by phone: 1-877-44BLOOM (1-877-442-5666).

"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 101^th 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, www.Washington.org."

About Destination DC:  Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 850 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com.

SOURCE Destination DC