Clustered primarily around the Tidal Basin, the cherry trees were given to the U.S. by Japan in 1912 as a token of friendship. This year's National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 28 to April 12 and features a parade, a kite festival and the Sakura Matsuri street festival.
The festival's Bloom Watch calendar targets April 3 through 9 as the peak bloom time, when 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry trees' blossoms will have opened. You can reserve a paddleboat to guarantee an outing on the Tidal Basin, especially popular at festival time.
Hotel Madera, from $165 a night
The Cherry Blossom 2009 Package includes accommodations, two all-day Metro passes, and two Cherry Bomb cocktails at Firefly. The Madera is in a renovated historic 1960s building in Dupont Circle and offers a complimentary wine reception each evening — plus free valet parking for hybrid vehicles. Rates start at $165 per room per night.
When: March 19–April 12, 2009.
Details: Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Use promo code PCBP.
Contact: 800/430-1202, hotelmadera.com.
The Fairmont Washington, D.C., from $189 a night
The Cherry Blossom Package includes accommodations, complimentary valet parking (a $30 value), and a box of note cards with photos of famous Washington spots with cherry blossoms in full bloom. The 415-room hotel is in the trendy West End neighborhood, which abuts Georgetown. Rates start at $189 per room per night, which represents a savings of 17 percent.
When: March 28–April 12, 2009.
Details: Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single or double occupancy.
Contact: 866/540 4505, fairmont.com/washington.
The St. Gregory Hotel, from $195 a night
The Cherry Blossom Weekend Celebration Package includes accommodations, breakfast daily, free parking, and a Blossom Cocktail served in the hotel's 21 M Lounge. Sunday's breakfast is a three-course champagne brunch featuring a live jazz performance. The downtown hotel has been a favorite of performers over the years (there's even a statue of Marilyn Monroe in the lobby). Rates start at $195 per room per night, or $390 for the required two-night stay.
When: March 28–April 12, 2009.
Details: Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on double occupancy; no single bookings. Only available Friday through Sunday nights. Requires a two-night stay.
Contact: 800/829-5034, capitalhotels.com.
Hotel Palomar, from $204 a night
The Cherry Blossom Festival package includes a stay in one of the Palomar's stylish contemporary rooms (with animal-print bathrobes); a $40 voucher to Urbana restaurant, which will offer a special cherry dessert; two all-day Metro passes; and a welcome packet and gift. The Palomar is in Dupont Circle and offers complimentary wine in the evenings. Rates start at $204 per room per night.
When: March 19–April 12, 2009.
Details: Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single or double occupancy.
Contact: 877/866-3070, hotelpalomar-dc.com.
The Liaison Capitol Hill, from $233 a night
The Cherry Blossom Getaway includes accommodations, a picnic lunch from Art and Soul restaurant, 10 handmade cherry blossom notecards, and a fresh cherry blossom branch to take home. Opened just a year ago, the hotel offers a welcome drink to all guests and a six-choice pillow menu. Rates start at $233 per room per night.
When: March 28–April 30, 2009.
Details: Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Use promo code CHERRY.
Contact: 866/246-2203, affinia.com.
Park Hyatt Washington, from $329
The Spring Blossom Package includes an upgrade to a Park Deluxe room, a pot of cherry blossom tea from the hotel's rare and vintage tea collection, a choice of valet parking or breakfast for two daily and a children's backpack. The Park Hyatt touts its 618-square-foot deluxe rooms as the biggest in the city; you can enjoy your tea in the room or in the hotel's tea cellar. Rates start at $329 per room per night, about 25 percent off regular rates.
When: Mar. 6–Apr. 26, 2009.
Details: Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Based on single, double, or triple occupancy.
Contact: 202/789-1234, parkwashington.hyatt.com.
There are even more hotel packages available on D.C.'s official tourism site.
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