Hotels Offering Deals, Shorter Stays for Inauguration

President Barack Obama's second inauguration is not expected to bring the record crowds seen during his first inauguration in 2009, and fewer people coming to town means there are deals to be had at area hotels.

"Hotel rooms still exist," said Kate Gibbs, a spokesperson for Destination D.C., a a private, non-profit corporation that markets Washington's tourism industries.

Gibbs said many hotels were requiring three-and-four night reservations initially, but as demand has proven to be less now than four years ago, prices are dropping and minimum stay requirements are disappearing.

"2009 was a record-breaking year, and as a result the inauguration drew 1. 8 million to the Mall," said Gibbs.

She explained if DC saw half or even a third as many people, this year would still be larger than most second inaugurations.

Estimates from WMATA are that 600,000 to 800,000 people will use Metrorail to attend the inauguration this year.

Both the Marriot Wardman Park in Woodley Park and the Marriot at Metro Center in DC still have availability for inauguration weekend.

"The 2009 inauguration was such a historic event, hotels were booked just days after Election Day in 2008," said Mark Indre, a market director for Marriott in the DC area. "It’s still going to be a festive fun weekend, just not as frenetic as it was four years ago."

The Marriott Wardman Park is offering one-night stays for $519 per night. The Marriott at Metro Center is offering one-night stays for $599 per night. Indre said the Marriott Metro Center is just finishing up rooms renovations and the hotel is literally steps away from the inaugural parade route.

Nearby the Georgetown Holiday Inn still has rooms available for several nights over inauguration weekend. A room with a queen bed is running $294 plus taxes per night.

According to Hotels.com the average room rate in DC for bookings Jan. 18 – 22, 2013 is $303.

Hotels.com also provided the average price points by star ratings for bookings Jan. 18 – 22, 2013

• 1.5 star $115
• 2 star $170
• 3 star $251
• 4 star $423
• 5 star $956

For much more inauguration information, see Patch's 2013 Presidential Inauguration Guide here.