Photo by Jim Malone
President Obama will be inaugurated into his second term in 42 days. With January 21, 2013 rapidly approaching, hotels, restaurants and other merchants across the D.C. area are grabbing at the opportunity to raise their rates for this quadrennial celebration of patriotism. And sometimes, they go too far. “Ridiculous Inauguration Deal of the Day” will examine the most ludicrous offerings we can find.
The Ritz-Carlton in the West End is, on most nights, already a very luxe lodging option, but we knew that already. Still, come next January, the hotel is going as lavish as humanly possible. For starters, the average rate for the Ritz’s rooms will jump to $1,095 per night—and there’s a four-night minimum starting January 18. (A search the following weekend returns rooms beginning at $299.)
But that four-digit rate is for the plebes. For a cool $100,000, the Ritz will soak one exorbitantly wealthy couple in the deepest indulgence. The “Access Washington” package begins with first-class plane tickets from wherever the buyer wishes. Then it’s chauffeured rides to the hotel, where whoever buys the package will get one of the Ritz’s swankiest suites.
Among the in-town perks included:
- An afternoon of exclusive, behind the scenes private tours of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic sites with private guide Ismail Naskai, winner of “Best Tour Guide” by Washington Area Concierge Association, including “special access” to the Capitol, National Archives, Library of Congress, National Treasury, Arlington Cemetery, and more
- Private viewing of VIP autograph book signed by heads of state and celebrities. Learn the background and history behind these signatures from the hotel’s in-house celebrity and dignitary expert and take home a copy of the hotel’s VIP autograph book to share with friends and family
- Back of the house hotel tour with hotel security to see how the president and heads of state arrive and exit. Get a sneak peak at behind the scenes Inauguration happenings within the hotel.
- Special inaugural amenities each night
- Club Lounge Access: the private and luxurious Club Lounge is a peaceful, exclusive “retreat” featuring dedicated concierge services and complimentary food and beverage presentations throughout the day and evening.
- Private cupcake decorating party in Georgetown Cupcake’s “Lab” for up to 10 people. Create an “Inaugural” flavor which will be featured as Georgetown Cupcake’s “Secret” Flavor of the Day during Inauguration.
- Three course dinner on January 18th prepared by Executive Chef Yves Samake and the students of DC Central Kitchen. Value of the dinner will be donated to DC Central Kitchen
OK, the part about DC Central Kitchen getting a nice fat donation is great. But some of the other stuff? Yeesh. Georgetown Cupcake has a secret laboratory? That can’t possibly lead to a good outcome.
As for the big day, the Ritz package doesn’t include a primo podium seat on the steps of the U.S. Capitol (though for 100 large, it really should); instead, the buyers will watch Obama re-take the oath of office from the balcony of the Newseum.
But the most lavish component of this package has to be the sartorial catering. A stylist from the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Chevy Chase will outfit the purchaser and his or her date in the best threads available. For men, Saks’ online formalwear listings top out at a $2,795 Armani Collezioni one-button tuxedo with a shawl collar.
Michele Klarman, a publicist for the hotel, says that the $100,000 package will only be sold once. Though several potential customers have inquired, it’s still available.
Is the Ritz overdoing it? Well, that’s kind of what this whole series is about. But it’s definitely staying ahead of inflation. In 2009, when D.C.’s took in twice as many visitors as it expects to see this time around, the Ritz offered a $50,000 inauguration package. That deal was described in a hotel press release as “economic minded.” Considering the 2013 edition is twice as pricey, it’s appears the Ritz is convinced the economy is recovering.
