With inauguration around the corner, marking a historical event where President Barack Obama gets inaugurated for his second term, one would assume that hotels would be booked solid. This is not the case however and there are still lots of last minute options that won't break the bank for those eager to visit DC and celebrate the momentous occasion.
ABC News reported that four years ago hotel prices were averaging $600 a night for Obama's last inauguration in 2009. They were also booked to 90 percent capacity and even hotels that were on the outskirts of DC were still approximately $300 a night. However, this time around hotel booking websites are showing that rates are under $200 per night.
"We know that demand is not what it was four years ago," Kate Gibbs, media relations manager at Destination D.C. said to ABC News, . "Fantasy hotel packages exist but we also see realistic opportunities."
Hotwire's demand for the inauguration has not been high and prices have dropped from last week. "Last week, prices for hotels in the Washington area were averaging $190 per night. As of Monday, the average price had dropped to $156 per night," reports ABC News.
Travelocity has also reported that there was more availability than four years ago.
U.S. News and World Report's Washington Whispers blog also reported that tourism officials are saying hotels are not seeing as much capacity as they did in 2009 for the inauguration.
"Online travel website Hotwire reports that hotel reservations made for the period Jan. 18 to 22 averaged about $190 a night the week of Jan. 7, $156 a night the week of Jan. 14 and $82 a night this week," reported The Los Angeles Times.
Booking.com also showed that room rates for a two night stay on Sunday and Monday are as followed for these popular hotels,
"-- an average of $289 a night for a room with a queen bed at the Embassy Row Hotel in Dupont Circle;
-- an average of $259 a night for a junior suite at the River Inn in the Foggy Bottom area; and
-- an average of $249 a night for a room with two double beds at the Holiday Inn Washington-Georgetown," reported The LA Times.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
