Washington D.C. Archives - Page 2 of 4

Sep 23 2012

Gaylord National Harbor: Family Travel Guest Review

Guest post from Tricia Clarke, freelance journalist, who recently traveled with her family to the Gaylord National Harbor resort in Washington, D.C.

I first fell in love with the Gaylord National Harbor after attending a weekend conference there in 2010. When I returned recently to celebrate my son’s birthday, the huge 18-story glass structure, set along the shores of the Potomac River, seduced me all over again.

The lavishly decorated hotel offers a variety of specials but one of the features that draws hundreds of families in is the chance to meet the Dream Works characters. Our room was on the 17th floor and my sons loved riding the glass elevators at the Gaylord National Harbor. Our room was nicely decorated and the beds were very comfortable. (I especially liked the magnifying makeup mirror in the bathroom). The free WiFi and bottles of water were nice amenities but it turns out they’re not so free, as we learned at the end of our stay with the $15 resort fee.

For breakfast, we ate buffet-style at Pienza – an Italian eatery, one of three onsite restaurants in the Gaylord National Harbor’s atrium. It wasn’t the best hotel breakfast I’ve had and my son’s weren’t really keen on anything but the cereal and fruit.

After some fun in the indoor pool and getting soaked by the splash zone fountains and a trip to D.C., which is only 20 minutes away, we spent the evening up close and personal with Dream Works characters like Alex the Lion, Princess Fiona and Kung Fu Panda. All four of the Gaylord’s locations (the others are in Orlando, Dallas and Nashville) feature the ‘Dream Works Experience’ and the ingenious idea offers families a ‘Disney-like’ encounter without the lines and the crowds.

The Dream Works packages include breakfast with the characters, a 2-hour party, and plenty of picture-taking opportunities. My boys had a wonderful time doing the ‘cha cha slide’ with Puss in Boots, the’ wobble’ with Shrek and dancing to the Madagascar theme song with King Julien. Later on, our room on the 17th floor provided the perfect view for Saturday night fireworks, launched from a boat on the river.

Despite catering to a variety of travelers (during our stay we witnessed a wedding, a conference and a Beatles music festival!) the Gaylord National Harbor does it all at a very high standard. It’s a great place for a family break, offering a slice of luxury at an affordable price.

Tricia Clarke is a freelance journalist and creator of www.britsacrossthepond.com – a website celebrating all that’s British in America. Follow her on Twitter @britsacrosspond.com. Photo courtesy of Tricia Clarke.

Jun 07 2012

Girlfriends’ Travel and Getaway – Omni Shoreham, D.C.

As soon as I stepped into the Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington, D.C. I knew that it was one of those hotels that’s more than just a place to sleep. This AAA Four Diamond luxury resort is a treat for families or girlfriends visiting the District looking for relaxation, comfort, and history, all in one setting.

From the time you pull up to the valet-only parking area to the minute you walk into the Shoreham’s grand historic lobby, you know you’re in for something special. There’s so much going on around you (and I mean this in a nice way), that you have to just stop, pause, and allow your eyes and ears to take it all in. The chandeliers, furniture, floral accents, column banners, door men, bus boys, front desk attendees, concierge, and international foot traffic are fleeting visual distractions from the classical architecture that defines the lobby space. Yet, all of these elements, in some part, contribute to the thought that runs through your mind: “Wow, this place is nice.”

I visited the Shoreham to experience one of the Omni’s various getaway packages, just in time for the start of the summer. The Girlfriends Reminisce Getaway had me and my BF’s names written all over it – relaxation, hanging out, and shopping. Everything that’s “going on” inside the hotel almost trumps the gamut of things happening outside of it. The attractions around the corner from the Shoreham’s doors, surprisingly became secondary “to do’s” for my weekend.

SERVICE

The service at the hotel was impeccable. No wonder it was named one of the Washingtonian Magazine’s Great Places to Work. Our waiter from the Robert’s restaurant told us he had been working there for 20 years and said that he loves “his hotel.” He mentioned a female co-worker who has been an employee for 30 years, a rare occurrence these days. From the bottom to the top, just about every employee that I encountered was not only pleasant, helpful and friendly, but exuded a subtle pride to be working at the resort.

AMENITIES

For families, the Shoreham works well. An outdoor pool, large rooms, milk and cookie room service, a cafe, onsite restaurant, ample indoor and outdoor seating, hammocks, a garden area with plenty of grass to run and play, are all convenient amenities for traveling families. In addition, the hotel is just a few blocks away from the D.C. zoo and across the street from one of the D.C. tour buses.

ACCOMMODATIONS

For girlfriends, the Shoreham is the ultimate getaway in the heart of a busy city. I was definitely spoiled by my accommodations. My suite had enough space to throw a party, a formal dinner, and a book club meeting, all at once (although I didn’t). One of seven presidential suites, the Abraham Lincoln Suite, measures well over 900 square feet. A foyer, kitchen, living room, dining room, sitting room, balcony, and large king suite define the space. Classic decor and furnishings help to make it cozy.

The king bed in the suite looked much larger than my own king bed. This might be a product of the four large down pillows, 800 thread count sheets and the silky soft comforter. If I had to describe the bed in one word, I’d call it plush. I slept quite comfortably with no thoughts of the mattress being too soft or too hard. As Goldilocks would say, “It was just right.”

Once my friend and I settled down for the evening, we enjoyed Thai food at the dining room table and wine in our robes on the couch (just as we had envisioned in our minds).

If you’re visiting D.C. and are looking to catch your breath with a friend in a luxurious historic setting, the Omni is an excellent choice. Forget about calories, forget about budgets, forget about the noise of the city and enjoy everything that the Shoreham has to offer. I know we did.

To see more pictures of our accommodations and surroundings, check out our weekend album here. And here’s a sample Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary:

Friday Afternoon/Evening
Arrive at Shoreham
Grab a coffee at the Cafe
Catch-up in suite with your friend
Grab dinner at Robert’s Restaurant (Scallop appetizer…yum!)
Wine in room

Saturday Morning/Afternoon
Grab a coffee and danish at Cafe
Catch D.C. tour bus across the street
Sightsee, shop, eat in D.C. via tour bus stops (off-and-on access until 5:30pm)

Saturday Evening
Freshen up for dinner
Order take-out
Eat in room and chat with your Bestie
Wine and a movie

Sunday Morning
Breakfast/Brunch
Enjoy last moments of Shoreham luxury
Depart

* Photos Courtesy of the Omni Shoreham.

The Omni provided me with a 2-night stay at the Shoreham hotel in D.C. to perform this review.

Apr 20 2012

Guest Post: 8 Things You Can’t Miss Around Washington D.C. This Summer

This is a guest post from Cher Murphy of CherMurphyPR.

Summer is a time for travel for millions of Americans, many of whom make their way to Washington D.C. With so much to do in the area, it’s a challenge for tourists to identify the best ways to make the most of their time. While some things will always top the list, such as visiting the White House, there are several other things that people will not want to miss this summer.

“The Washington, D.C. area is filled with so many amazing things to do and places to explore, it’s sometimes overwhelming for people who are coming here for the first time,” states the Janine Vaccarello, COO of the Crime Museum. “The more you can narrow down the scope of your interests when visiting the area, the more you will be able to cover. But you simply can’t go wrong by visiting this region in the summer.”

Here are eight things you can’t miss when visiting the Nation’s Capital this summer:

Crime Museum. We are a nation obsessed with all things crime-related. From the nightly news to crime shows and beyond, we have a thirst for learning more and getting inside the mind of a criminal. This summer, visitors of the Crime Museum can check out the regular exhibits, including a CSI lab and over 600 artifacts, as well as new featured exhibits focused on John Wayne Gacy and the Unabomber.
Walk through Georgetown. Visitors marvel at this area of the city, where people can walk down the historic streets, shop, and enjoy the atmosphere. Plan to spend a morning or afternoon simply walking around, visiting the shops, enjoying a bite to eat, and admiring the history.
Take a hike. Leave the concrete behind for a few hours and take a hike at Great Falls Park. With wonderful views of the Potomac River, visitors can hike, rock climb, kayak, and more. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and see the beauty of the land around the nation’s capital.
Visit Mount Vernon. Nobody can visit Washington D.C. without thinking about our first President, George Washington. Plan to visit Mount Vernon, his 14-room mansion and estate, and take your trip back to the 1770s. The history in this place will make you glad you put it on your list.
Arlington National Cemetery. We all know that many soldiers have died to protect our freedom. With July 4th in mind, stop by this final resting place which four million tourists visit per year. It’s a stop you will not soon forget.
African American Civil War Museum. Learn about the rich history and involvement of African Americans during the Civil War. This museum opened just a year ago and highlights their contribution, as well as their role in abolishing slavery.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. The memorial honors the late Dr. King and is located between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. This memorial officially opened last summer.
U.S. Capitol Building. Taking a free tour of the capital building is a must for all visitors to the area. Just be sure to book it prior to your trip, because they tend to fill up quickly.

“Of course, there are plenty of attractions to choose from, but these are ones you will want to add,” adds Vaccarello. “In addition to providing some historical references, they will also provide you with entertainment and a great all-around family vacation.”

On top of their regular offerings, the Crime Museum also offers a variety of summer camps for kids, including a CSI Boot Camp. In May 2012, a temporary exhibit focusing on Crimes Against Marine Life will unveil within the museum. For more information on the museum, including exhibits, directions, and hours, visit www.crimemuseum.org.

Mar 21 2012

National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, D.C. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is underway in the nation’s capitol. Events began a couple of days ago and run for five weeks until April 27th.

cherry-blossoms-at-jefferson — Cherry blossoms framing the Jefferson memorial

Sponsored by Safeway, the festival features Family Days, a collection of family-friendly events to encourage participation and education about cherry blossoms and Japanese culture. Family Days are free events featuring hands-on activities and performances by groups from around the globe. Activities include:

Creating shoji screens and pop-up architecture at the National Building Museum
Making cherry blossom popcorn trees with Safeway
Constructing wood-clothespin kokeshi doll ornaments with Howard University
Dressing up in traditional Japanese clothing and writing postcards with the National Children’s Museum
Making a cherry blossom pin out of kimono cloth with the Textile Museum
Listening to an interactive lesson on climate change, renewable energy, and energy conservation from Sharp Electronics Corporation’s Solar Academy program
Decoding blossoms with the Spy Museum

Two other events that are signatures of the festival (and ones you should make an effort to check out) include the famed National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and the Sakura-Matsuri Japanese Street Festival, which both take place on April 14th. Art and cultural exhibits, as well as musical performances will run throughout the five weeks, providing an informative peak into different aspects of Japanese culture, whilst promoting community spirit.

Photos courtesy of National Cherry Blossom Festival.org.

Mar 04 2012

D.C. Breakfast Indulgences

These breakfast indulgences are just as tasty in person as they are on camera and is from one of my favorite restaurants for chocolate in Washington, D.C. – CoCo Sala.

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