Howard University Class Reunion Weekend in Washington, May 10 - May 13

Planit Meetings is happy to assist Howard University alumni (Go Bisons!), returning to Washington, DC, for the Alumni Reunion Weekend, 2012.

Planit Meetings can offer you a choice of affordable hotel accommodations in a variety of locations in the Washington, DC area.

For alums, traveling with their families, Planit Meetings offers our guests, complimentary, reliable child care, on a first come, first served basis. For questions about making hotel reservations for Class Reunion Weekend, please email Planit Meetings:

    susan@planitmeetings.com

Howard University provides a crucial aspect to our rich, academic and cultural community. We would be honored to work with Howard family and friends to help make reunions, and graduation 2012 all wonderfully memorable

All the best to the Bisons!

National Police Week 2012 Hotel News

Latham double bedded room

Planit Meetings is the proud hotel host of National Police Week 2012...coming soon...

Below are glimpses of a few of the spectacular hotels we are using for National Police Week. If interested in reserving any of the hotels listed below, or if you have any questions, please email:

susan@planitmeetings.com  (Hotel reservations are NOT prepaid.)

The Latham Hotel  -- $209 night single or double bedded

• spectacular location in heart of Georgetown
• two blocks from Potomac Riverfront
• short 'Circulator' ride to NPW Headquarters
• outdoor pool

Hyatt Arlington (Rosslyn) -- $269 per night single or double bedded

• designated hypoallergenic hotel, perfect for asthma/ allergy sufferers
• spacious, elegant, luxurious
• just across Key Bridge from Georgetown (with free shuttle service)

Hotel Palomar, DC --$259 per night single or double

• 2 blocks from Dupont Circle Metro
• Heated outdoor pool
• Hosted evening wine reception
• Guestrooms among largest in DC

Madison Hotel $259 per night single or double bedded 

• downtown, walking distance to National Police Week events
• one of Washington, DC's premier hotels, heralded for spectacular service
• classic design

Embassy Suites Convention Center - $289 per night single or double bedded suite

• perfect for NPW attendees traveling with their families
• smoking rooms available
• includes daily breakfast cooked to order
• two TVs, refrigerator, microwave, coffemaker in all suites
• indoor pool
• short walk to NPW festivities
• nightly manager's reception

Hyatt Bar

Embassy Suites Breakfast

Hotel Palomar Guestroom

Planit Meetings supports Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue

Here at Planit Meetings -- the proud hotel hosts of National Police Week 2012 -- , we believe in giving back to the community. Planit Meetings is a supporter of Proverbs12:10 Animal Rescue, a small 501(c)3 animal rescue organization, that serves a rural area outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Planit Meetings maintains their blog, does pro bono grant-writing for them, searches for Nashville area sponsors for them, and gives a portion of any hotel reservation commission made with the mention of Proverbs 12:10 to them, so they can continue and expand their work of helping abandoned animals, taking care of animals for people who cannot afford their expenses, and rescuing fine dogs and cats from kill shelters.

Please spread the word....If a person makes any hotel reservations, and mentions Proverbs Animal Rescue, Planit Meetings gives back, to the rescue, a portion of any earned commission, in the guest's name.

Please visit Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue blog, and their website:
    http://proverbs1210animalrescue.blogspot.com
    www.proverbs1210rescue.org

C & O Canal Lockhouses: a Wonderful Getaway Any Time of Year

C & O Canal Lockhouse 6, in Bethesda, MD

Canal Quarters, through the C & O Canal Trust, offers some of the restored, equipped lockhouses, on the C & O Canal, for rent, for about $100 per night. The C & O Canal Towpath starts in Cumberland, Maryland, and ends, some 184 scenic miles later, in Georgetown, in Washington, DC.

Many of the lockhouses along the way have been restored to their 19th century orgins , and can be rented, for $100 per day or less. Most have enough beds (including trundle beds) to accommodate 4 - 6 people. Some are heated for the winter, have indoor plumbing. Others are more rustic. Lockhouse 6, in Bethesda, Maryland, is furnished the way it may have been in the 1950s, to tell the story of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas' campaign to preserve the canal and turn it into a National Park.

To check availability and reserve your stay, go to www.canaltrust.org/quarters/

Last winter, friends and I did a part of the Canal above Williamsport, and stayed at Lockhouse 49. The towpath in the winter is uncrowded, and with the leaves gone from trees, the vistas were more visible...beautiful...with so much wildlife... It did not feel like we were a short distance away from DC. Try it with friends or family. You would not be disappointed...hiking, or biking....Also, if you're looking for a romantic getaway, one of the lockhouses would be it! ... One more thing....in the winter, there is more availability... Because the lockhouses are so well-built, in the winter, they're not cold, without heat.

National Police Week is Coming Soon!...May 10 - May 16.

Planit Meetings is excited to be working with Police Departments around the country, selected by the National Office of the Fraternal Order of Police to be the hotel host for National Police Week 2012.

Below is a list of hotels, that still have availability in our National Police Week room blocks. If you're interested in reserving any of the hotel rooms or if you have any questions, Planit Meetings would be happy to help you. Please specify hotel, number of rooms, arrival and departure dates, and any special needs. We will contact you for your credit card number, that would be used to hold the rooms. All reservations may be cancelled without penalty, up until 24 hours prior to arrival.

Planit Meetings is offering complimentary babysitting, on a first come, first served basis, for NPW, for families bringing their children to the festivities.

Susan, for Planit Meetings: susan@planitmeetings.com   

National Police Week 2012 Hotel Availability

Comfort Inn Convention Center/Downtown DC

1 King Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $169.00

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $169.00

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott WDC/New York Ave

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $177.00

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $177.00

Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $194.00-$364.00

Courtyard Washington DC/US Capitol

2 Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $199.00

King Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $199.00

Courtyard Washington Embassy Row

2 Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $199.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $199.00

Capitol Skyline Hotel

Two Double

Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $219.00

Renaissance Washington Downtown

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $219.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012

Churchill Hotel

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $229.00

Junior King Suite 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $269.00

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $259.00

Deluxe King Suite 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $349.00

Residence Inn Dupont Circle

Studio Suite

(Includes pullout sofa) 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $229.00

Marriott Washington

(22nd St, NW)

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $229.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $229.00

Washington Plaza

Single Queen

Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $229.00

Marriott Washington Metro Center

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $234.00

Washington DCQueen 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $234.00

DoubleTree Suites (*Four night Minimum Stay*)

King Room

with Sofa Bed 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $239.00

Double Tree Hotel

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $239.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $239.00

St. Gregory Hotel & Suites (*Three Night Minimum Stay*)

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $249.00

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $249.00

Renaissance Mayflower

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $249.00

Renaissance Washington Dupont

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $249.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $249.00

Palomar Washington

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $259.00

The Quincy

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $259.00

Two Double

Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $259.00

The Madisson

1 King Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $259.00

2 Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $259.00

State Plaza Hotel

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $265.00

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $265.00

Morrison Clark

1 Queen Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $269.00

Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $279.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $279.00

Donovan House

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $279.00

Embassy Suites DC Convention Center

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $289.00

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $289.00

Carlyle Suites

King with Sofa Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $289.00

One Double Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $289.00

Two Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $289.00

Savoy Suites

2 Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $289.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $289.00

Washington Suites Georgetown

1 King Bed 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $309.00

Queen Deluxe 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $329.00

Hampton Inn Washington DC Convention Center

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $339.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $339.00

Liason Capitol Hill

2 Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $459.00

Holiday Inn Rosslyn Key Bridge

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $109.00-$149.00

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $109.00-$149.00

Hyatt Regency Crystal City

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $125.00-$225.00

Comfort Inn Pentagon

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $129.00

Virginian Suites

Studio Suite with 1 Queen Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $129.00-$199.00

Hilton Crystal City National Airport

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $149.00

Two Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $149.00

Courtyard Arlington Crystal City/National Airport

2 Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $159.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $159.00

Sheraton Crystal City

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $179.00

Two Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $179.00

Marriott Key Bridge

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $184.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $184.00

Holiday Inn National Airport

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $199.00

King Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $199.00

Radisson Hotel National Airport

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $199.00

King Bed 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $199.00

Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport 

King Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $219.00

Two Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $219.00

Palomar Arlington

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $219.00

Two Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $219.00

Renaissance Arlington Capital View

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $249.00

Hyatt Arlington

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $269.00

Comfort Inn and Suites

1 Bedroom Suite (King w/ pull out sofa) 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $149.99

1 King Bed 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $129.99

Two Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $129.99

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham

Studio Suites 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $129.00

Red Roof Inn Alexandria

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $139.99

Two Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $139.99

Hampton Inn & Suites Belvoir/Alexandria

2 Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $149.99

Holiday Inn Eisenhower Metro Center

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $149.99

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $149.99

Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Old Town Alexandria

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $159.00

Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $179.00

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $179.00

Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $179.00

Two Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $179.00

Hilton Alexandria Old Town

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $199.00

Westin Alexandria

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $199.00

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $199.00

Hotel Monaco Alexandria

1 Queen Deluxe 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $239.00

Lorien Hotel & Spa

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $239.00

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $239.00

Courtyard Dunn Loring Fairfax

2 Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $149.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $149.00

Hyatt Fair Lakes

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $159.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $159.00

Hampton Inn Silver Spring

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $99.00

Hilton Silver Spring

2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $99.00

King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $99.00

Country Inn & Suites

King Studio Suite 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $109.00

King Suite 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $109.00

Queen 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $109.00

Two Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $109.00

Hilton Garden Inn Silver Spring North

Two Queen Beds Evolution 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $159.00

Crowne Plaza WDC/Silver Spring

1 King Bed 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $169.00

Two Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $169.00

Courtyard Silver Spring Downtown

2 Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $209.00

King Bed (Includes pullout sofa) 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $209.00

Courtyard Chevy Chase

King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $249.00

Two Queen Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $259.00

Winter 2012 Restaurant Week Across America!

Below are some cities participating in winter 2012 Restaurant Week cities. Even though many restaurants have special Restaurant Week fare, the fixed price menus are a great way sample new restaurants.

Restaurant Week 2012 kicks off in Indianapolis with their Devour Downtown Winterfest, Jan. 9 - 22

http://devourdowntown.org/winterfest/

Washington, DC -- January 9 - 15

 www.restaurantweekmetrodc.org

Sacramento -- January 9 - 18

http://downtownsac.org/events/dine-downtown/

  

Albequerque --  March 18-25, http://albuquerque.newmexicorestaurantweek.com

Alexandria, VA --  January 13 - 22,  www.opentable.com

Ann Arbor -- January 15 – 20,  www.annarborrestaurantweek.com,

Baltimore -- January 20 – 29, www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com

Boston, March 18 – 23, 25 – 30  www.restaurantweekboston.com

Charleston -- January 12 -22 www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com

Charlottesville, VA Jan. 23 – 29

       http://cvilleyum.com/participating-restaurants-january-23rd-29th-2012/

Chicago --  February 17 - 26,  http://gochicago.about.com

Oakley's Bistro, Indianapolis

Columbus -- January 16-21 http://experiencecolumbus.com/event-detail.cfm?id=28838
Dayton -- January 22-29, www.dinoutdayton.org/restaurant-week.php

Denver Chop House

Denver --  February 25 – March 9, www.denver.org/denverrestaurant/default.aspx

Irvine, CA January 13 – 19 http://www.destinationirvine.com/visitors/restaurants/week/

Kansas City-- January 20 - 29  http://kcrestaurantweek2012.eventbrite.com/
 Las Vegas  -- February 27 – March 4   http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/events/ongoing/14566/

Los Angeles -- January 22-27 and January 29-Feb. 3     http://discoverlosangeles.com/restaurantweek

L'Etoile, Madison

Madison --January 22 – 27  www.madisonmagazine.com

Maine Restaurant Week -- March 1 - 10  www.mainrestaurantweek.com  
New York  January 16 – February 10, lunch 24.67, dinner $35 www.nycgo.com

Philadelphia District -- January 22 – 27 & January 29 – February 3 http://www.centercityphila.org/life/RestaurantWeek.php.

Ralph's, Philadelphia

Pitttsburgh -- January 16 – 22  http:/pittsburghrestaurantweek.com/restaurants

Providence,  January 15 - 28 www.opentable.com
San Diego Restaurant Week --  January 15 - 20, www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com/

San Francisco Dine About Town -- January 15 - 31  sfchefs2012.com/restaurant-week/

Savannah -- January 27 - February 5,   http://www.savannahrestaurantweek.org

Schenectady --  February 20 – 26 http://sayschenectady.org/

Raleigh - Durham - Chapel Hill -- January 23-29, 2012. www.downtownrestaurantweek.net

Hotel Travel with Pets

These days, more and more hotels are pet friendly, but that does not necessarily make it easy, on the pet, or you, to travel with pets.

If you’re facing a long flight, like from New York to Seattle, consider Pet Airways, a pets only airline. Go to www.petairways.comfor rates, and schedules. Planit Meetings loves Pet Airways, because they transport rescue dogs, to new homes, at a 50% or more discount, flying standby.

Romeo

Some hotels charge a $50 - $150, non-refundable pet fee, or have pound restrictions. Other hotels do not permit you to leave your dog in your hotel room alone, even if your dog is secure, in a crate. Find out about all the restrictions before you arrive to avoid unpleasant surprises, like hidden fees, and other restrictions, like not being permitted to keep the pet in your hotel room, if you're not there. Search for a smoke-free, pet-friendly hotel. Hotels that have smoking floors always put pets in smoking rooms.

After you’ve made your hotel reservation, call the hotel’s front desk, to request a quiet room, on a low floor, and also ask them to send via U.S. Mail, a printed copy of their pet policy. (Also, ask for a corner room, usually the best rooms, away from the elevator.)

Consider staying at a Kimpton Hotel. All Kimptons have always been dog-welcoming, with no pet fees, no pound limitations, or other restrictions. Further, the Kimpton Hotels, world-wide, offer great pet amenities, and even in-room dog massages and grooming, and complimentary dog-walking, at some Kimptons. Planit Meetings’ favorite pet-friendly budget hotel is the Red Roof Inn (but not all Red Roof Inns are pet-friendly, so call ahead). Their no-frills, no carpeting and upholstery rooms allow better cleaning...as in no carpeting for the inevitable dog-accident.

If you’re planning sightseeing, with your dog staying in his/her room, for long periods of time, consider doggie day care, for your pup, for some of the days, of your trip. Also consider putting off your dog’s grooming, for your vacation. Many groomers offer pick-up and drop-off; while you’re sight-seeing, your pup will be getting a necessary chore, out of the way, and will not be stuck in the hotel room all day, while you’re out exploring.

Learn where the city’s dog parks, pet-friendly cafes, good walking trails, are, before you travel. Hotel concierges are a great source of information. If the concierge at the hotel, where you will be staying, doesn’t know, call another hotel in the same zip code, and ask that hotel’s concierge.

Locate in advance the city’s vet E.R.

It goes without saying, even though restaurants and other establishments frequently have dog bowls by their door, bring your own collapsible water bowl. With most CVS stores carrying dog food, and other supplies, traveling with all your dog’s supplies is not the necessity that it once was, but do not forget an extra leash, and make sure the dog tags are secure on your dog’s collar.

Finally, as much as you love your dog, and how much you miss your dog, when you’re away, consider your dog first. Perhaps keeping your dog at home, with a very good pet-sitter, in your home. Recently, a Planit Meetings’ colleague, her family and their pet went to a lovely pet-friendly inn, for a long weekend. The dog did not get along with the inn-keepers’ dog, and further,  picked up a skin-irritant, hiking in the woods and fields near the inn, necessitating a couple of vet visits after. 


For Planit Meetings clients who travel to the Washington, DC area with their dogs, Planit Meetings offers complimentary pet care, and dog walking.


For questions about pet-friendly hotels and traveling with pets, email us:
susan@planitmeetings.com

Inn at Levelfields/ Calm Waters Rowing, Lancaster, Virginia

Entre nous:

Just returned from a wonderful, restorative winter weekend at the Inn at Levelfields, in Lancaster, Virginia, about 85 miles south of Washington, DC. Had been there previously. ..In the summer season, the Inn at Levelfields is the home of Calm Waters Rowing (www.calmwatersrowing.com), a rowing camp, where you can learn to scull, or, as I did, work on eradicating a nasty rowing habit, on a private, calm lake. Loved it so much – really so so so tranquil and beautiful there, hiking distance to the Chesapeake Bay, and Rappahannock River, wooded, serene, quiet..Couldn't wait for the summer to return. Decided to try the Inn, in the winter months, when it’s simply a beautiful 19^th century antebellum manor house, on 54 acres of private woods and fields.

 

At 125 per night, including a sumptuous breakfast for two (the smell of homemade biscuits, clafutti, Virginia ham, wafted upstairs to wake me up every morning), it was perfect for our budget. We were the only guests staying there, so my friend and were put up in the honeymoon suite, that featured its own private balcony. (If I ever got married again, this is where I'd want to have my wedding.) ... Our room was huge, had high ceilings, lots of light, yet it felt cozy.  By day, we hiked along the river, and explored antique shops, and local restaurants; in the evening, we read in Inn's parlor, and vegged out a bit.

Inn at Levelfields owners Charlotte Hollings and John Dunn bought the Inn about 13 years ago, primarily as a place for rowers, but operate a superlative Inn, during the winter months. Rowing is their passion…both John and Charlotte are world champion medaled rowers, who coached in college, before starting Calm Waters, and their Inn.

Since we were the only guests at the Inn, we enjoyed having drinks with Charlotte and John, who not only gave us some pointers for better work out regimens, that do not involve going to the gym, but also filled us in on the Civil War history of the Inn and surrounding area.

I am almost never this excited or impressed with an inn or bed and breakfast, that I have to share with Planit Meetings clients… but…the Inn at Levelfields was just that wonderful.

You can contact Charlotte and John at 800-238-5578  www.innatlevelfields.com

\