Published December 20, 2015
Some of Washington's most expensive hotels are being reminded that this isn't 2009.
With interest in President Obama's second inauguration not as high as four years ago, hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Willard still have rooms available -- unlike in 2009, when they sold out long before inaugural weekend.
The prices were steep to start with -- both the Ritz-Carlton and Willard were requiring four-night minimum stays, at more than $1,000 per night. As of mid-week, each was about 80 percent full.
The Willard's manager was hoping to use the hotel's long history to lure in guests, noting that many presidents had stayed there before the inauguration, including Abraham Lincoln. Each hotel was also offering amenities like personalized wine glasses and other inauguration mementos.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/still-vacancies-at-dcs-fanciest-hotels-ahead-of-inauguration