Washington, D.C., is gearing up for the presidential inauguration on January 20. Whether it is a second-term president or a newly elected leader, just about every hotel in Washington goes overboard with enormously outrageous, ridiculously expensive “inauguration” packages.
The presidential inaugurations have historically been sellers’ markets. Washington hotels are always overbooked, many insist on four-night minimum stays with regular rooms often selling for $1000 a night. This year, when it comes to over-the-top offers we have a president inauguration package at the Ritz-Carlton for a cool $100,000 and includes airfare, chauffeured airport transport, four nights stay in a luxury suite, a private guide around DC, VIP access to the party at the Newseum, back of house tour to see how the president and other heads of state arrive and exit, club access, cupcake decorating party at Georgetown’s Cupcake Lab, dinner on January 18, personal styling at the Fifth Avenue Club with a dress and tuxedo, hair and makeup session and a diamond-and-ruby pin.
At the Fairmont, $100,000 gets you four nights in the Presidential Suite, driver and transportation in a 7-series BMW, your own fake secret service agents, even a presidential loaner dog. also a $5,000 shopping spree at Saks with a personal shopper, matching Presidential Rolex watches in 18K carat gold, and—for the dog—a bed, daily walks and special food.
If you’re looking to save for $57,000, priced for the 57th presidential inauguration, AKA Luxury Extended Stay has a seven-night package that lets you occupy the entire penthouse floor (occupancy for up to 12) with an on-call 24/7 butler and chauffeur as well as a two hour en suite cocktail party and more.
Watch Peter’s CBS This Morning report to see the one thing that all these over-the-top hotel packages do NOT include.
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