Inauguration in DC: P.M. helps our clients find best house rentals, and best tenants for home-owners!

We put prospective renters and rentees together for win-win Inauguration experiences for all!

You have a group of 8- 10 coming to DC to attend the Inauguration,  and, given  hotel rates of upward $500/night, prepay, non-refundable, 4 night minimum stay, plus extra  charge for more than 2 people in the room, plus 15% tax, tips, all the meals out…. meaning shelling out a ton to attend....

Renting a house or large condo for a whole week might work better for your budget….

Planit Meetings  works with Inauguration travelers, private individuals, and real estate agents, in helping all parties make the right Inauguration house rental fit.

Craig’s List ads make house rentals seem like such great deals….What they don’t say are if there are dogs, cats, smokers, roaches, mice, mold, in their homes. Close to Metro could mean a 6-block walk. Near the Parade route could mean the Nationals Stadium!

For the Inauguration traveler, Planit Meetings thoroughly vets the  property offered for rent for the week. Planit Meetings’ DC office staff have lived in DC for decades, with kids in schools right in DC. We know DC better than almost anyone we know. We know the real estate, the values, the Inaugural event venues, the best affordable restaurants, the Metro, and bus routes.

For the condo or house owners who want to rent their homes to people attending the Inauguration, we check references of potential renters and vet them, assist with contracts, make recommendations for optimal rental experiences.

No fee for the tenant; negotiable commission from home owner. Don't hesitate to email us with your requests!

Hotels for the Inauguration!

Thinking about coming to Washington, DC for the Inauguration?  If yes, it’s time to commit to hotel decisions....even though the election is still about 50 days away!

If you’re very lucky, you might be able to find hotel rooms, the day after the presidential election results are in, but....if you're reading this now...and are planning to attend Inaug, and don't have a place to stay yet...it's really time to consider options, and what you can realistically afford to pay.

In August, WJLA-TV did a news segment on hotels for the Inauguration.  A month ago, they reported that hotels are running out quickly and options are expensive.  At that time, the Ritz Carlton Georgetown was selling for $1,000/night for a standard room, with $1,995 the rate for a suite. Actually, those rates are not bad for the Ritz Carleton Georgetown.

As I write this today, we found a few good hotels, that still have rooms available, in the $500-$600/night range, a good rate for sold-out weeks in DC. Further, with the average hotel room rate increase of 4% this year, a $600/night hotel room in DC....is...not really unusual and not bad....at.....all! ...(The good news is that rising hotel rates reflect our economic recovery...)

Planit Meetings appreciates the dilemma: to book now, to ensure securing rooms within striking distance of Cap Hill, and the Inaug parade and parties, that don't cost quite an arm and leg….But what if one's candidate doesn’t win and one is stuck? 

The other issue....How far away from DC does one have to go to find affordable hotel rooms? Remember that all the schools and groups marching in the parade, the Dem  and GOP groups, the special interests, the states groups etc. have long booked the best, closest-in options. The metro and driving gridlock for the last election was pretty tough.

Most hotels have decided their Inauguration rates, but some are still waiting to post their rates and policies.

This is the in-general Inauguration hotel deal:

·         Most hotels have four night minimum stay requirements;

·         Most hotels are pre-pay, or 50% deposit, at time reservations are made;

·         Most hotels, for the Inauguration, are non-refundable, non-cancelable

Do your homework: look at a metro map, when deciding how far outside of DC you're willing to stay for the Inaug. Send us your Inauguration hotel requirements, and let us help you find the best, for the least, for your Inauguration experience. Planit Meetings has been doing Inauguration Hotel reservations for longer than we would like to admit here....and we can help you.

My prognostications: balmy, sunny weather for Inauguration 2013!

Bed bugs!

Did you see the article in yesterday’s newspaper about bedbugs in nine hotels that are hosting the Dem National Convention in Charlottte this week?  Bedbug infestations have been increasing as a hotel problem over the past 12 years, especially as more people travel.

Cornel’s Integrated Pest Program offers the following info about bed bugs:

Bed bugs:

Do not transmit diseases to people

May trigger asthma

Can not fly or jump, but can run fast

Can be transported in personal belongings

Bug bombs and other pesticides are not effective for bed bugs.

Where to check for bed bugs in hotels:

inspect the sheets, pillows and blankets for stains.

Look under the mattress and pillows.

Check the seams and puckers of the mattress and box spring.

Look at the bed frame for bugs and stains.

Check the floor and moldings.

Look inside and underneath drawers.

Radios, phones, clocks near the bed or on a nightstand may also be hiding places for bed bugs.

When you travel, open your suitcase by the room entrance, away from the bed.

When you get home from your trip, wash and dry your clothing and bedding on

Hot: 30 minutes of heat kills any bugs and their eggs, that you might have picked up during your travels.

For more information, go to: http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/default.asp

Back again!...Planit Meetings dicounts in DC....

After taking the summer off to travel around the US, inspecting hotels for quality, Planit Meetings' blog is back! Wanted to reintroduce you to our blog, by reminding readers of some of the Planit Meetings discounts offered in DC. Planit Meetings friends, who are in DC, receive discounts at the following establishment:

Roche Hair Salon, at Washington Harbour, 3000 K Street, NW, at the Georgetown riverfront. Hair cuts for men, 15% off; hair cuts/ blow dries for women, with Roche Salon's Wantane Dodge, a $105 hair cut and blow dry is $65. Mention 'Planit Meetings' friend' for your discount, to Wantane, or Dennis, when you visit the Roche Salon.  www.rochesalon.com

Cafe la Ruche, a French bistro, on 31st Street, by the Canal. Planit Meetings friends receive 10% off tab.
www.cafelaruche.com

If you're a bicycle commuter, are looking for the right used bicycle,or are looking to sell your old bike that's rusting in your basement, Hoya Bike Repair can help you, and get you back on your bike again. For 20% discount on bike repairs and parts, and or free bike fitting, mention 'Planit Meetings' friend' in your email.
hoyabikerepair.blogspot.com

For a great trainer, and or help with weight-loss, Ultimate Results, in Washington Harbour, by the Starbucks, is a great deal. Mention 'Planit Meetings friend' to get 20% discount on your personal training sessions. www.myUR.com

Camlai Hair Salon on 30th Street, near M, in Georgetown, offers 15% off services. They specialize in 'older,' 'thinning' read babyboomer hair. www.camlai.com

Whether it's securing tickets to a museum exhibit, or sports event, making referrals for best last-minute dry cleaning services, arranging dinner reservations for 20, airport transport, pet-sitting in a hotel, Planit Meetings' clients know that we are here for you to help you with your needs, while you're traveling!

Talk to you soon! -- Suze in DC  

Discounts in DC for Planit Meetings friends!

Planit Meetings is happy to partner with the award-winning Roche Salon, located at Washington Harbor in Georgetown: 3000 K Street NW Washington, D.C. 20007   202 775 0775.

Wantanee Dodge, stylist, and Dennis Roche’s protégé, is giving friends of Planit Meetings 15% off all services, including cut/ blow dry, color, straightening, etc. Wantanee’s specialties are color, and ‘problem’ hair. Go to www.rochesalon.com to see Wantanee’s profile. Salon is closed Sundays and Mondays.  To receive your discount, tell Wantanee, at the time of your appointment, ‘friend of Planit Meetings'. If you're traveling in DC and need a last minute appointment,Wantanee will extend her hours to accommodate Planit Meetings out of town friends.

Planit Meetings friends also receive 10% discounts at the following establishments:

Café la Ruche, by the C & O Canal in Georgetown, Planit Meetings' favorite French Bistro.  www.cafelaruche.com
   Cafe la Ruche has outdoor dining, an affordable menu; 15% off tabs on groups of 10 or more, exclusive to Planit Meetings friends only.

Fitness Together, 3222 N Street, NW, DC  202-625-8484

     To receive your personal training discount, ask to speak with studio owner and fitness guru Matt McKinnis, and say ‘friend of Planit Meetings.’ Fitness Together works with people of all ages to help them attain fitness goals at their own pace and with their own needs. (For me, it means incorporating chocolate chip cookies in my weight-loss diet.)

For more information, for these and other Planit Meetings discounts, please contact Planit Meetings.

Madison Hotel in Washington, DC: a perfect location for National Police Week or College graduations!

 ...Haven't posted in several weeks... Suddenly, in Mid - March, Washington, DC's weather turned into perfect summer weather...sunny...warm, but not humid... just endless, perfect, dry, sunny warm spring days... How do people in places like Miami, and San Diego ever get any work done? Keep office blinds closed and rooms darkened?

That said, we've been busy...with May...National Police Week, college graduations occurring simultaneously...and everyone needing great hotel rates, walking distance from where they need to be!

Planit Meetings has the perfect hotel solution for May 10  -  May 16: the recently renovated, luxurious, sophisticated Madison Hotel, in downtown DC, a few blocks north of the White House, 3 metro stops from the Mall (GWU graduation), 8 blocks west of Judiciary Square (National Police Week), 3 metro stops from Howard U, 5 metro stops from American U, 4 metro stops from Catholic and Trinity U.

Planit Meetings has a special room block rate for the Madison Hotel, May 10 - May 16 of $259 per night for one king bed or two double beds.  Good rate, good value, convenient... the kind of hotel that would impress grandparents who come to DC for college graduation, and nice for police officers attending National Police Week...because they do a very hard job, putting their lives on the line for us, and deserve to stay in the best of luxury for National Police Week....

There are coffee makers in all the rooms...300 thread count sheets, 2 phones, commodious and well appointed bathrooms...all the details that make you feel special.

Please email susan@planitmeetings.com for questions or to make reservations at the Madison May 10 - May 16.

Catholic University and The George Washington University Graduation 2012 Room Blocks, May 11 - May 16

Below are hotels that still have availability May 11 - May 16 for National Police Week, and for Howard University, George Washington University, American University, and Catholic University graduations.

To make a reservation for any of these room blocks, please email Planit Meetings at:
        susan@planitmeetings.com

Please include arrival and departure dates, special requests, contact information.
Reservations are NOT prepaid and can be canceled up until 24 hours prior to arrival.


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


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

Latham Hotel
King
05/11/2012-05/16/2012
$209.00

Courtyard Marriott Washington Capitol Hill Navy Yard
King
05/11/2012-05/17/2012
$219.00
2 Queen Beds
05/11/2012-05/17/2012
$219.00

Capitol Skyline Hotel
Two Double Beds
05/11/2012-05/16/2012
$219.00

Melrose Hotel
King
05/11/2012-05/17/2012
$224.00
2 Double Beds
05/11/2012-05/17/2012
$224.00

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 pull-out 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

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 (*Two Night Minimum Stay*)
King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $185.00-$224.00
2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $185.00-$224.00

Renaissance Mayflower - near Farragut North Metro
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 - Dupont Circle
King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $259.00

The Quincy -- near Farragut North Metro, Connecticut and L
King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $259.00
Two Double
Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $259.00

The Madison, downtown
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, near the George Washington University
2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $265.00
King 05/11/2012-05/17/2012 $265.00


Donovan House
2 Double Beds 5/11/2012-05/13/2012 $169.00
2 Double Beds 05/14/2012-05/16/2012 $249.00

Embassy Suites DC  Convention Center -- smoking rooms available
King 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $289.00
2 Double Beds 05/11/2012-05/16/2012 $289.00

Carlyle Suites -- Dupont Circle
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 -- Upper Georgetown
2 Queen Beds  $289.00
King  $289.00

Washington Suites Georgetown, near George Washington University
1 King Bed
05/11/2012-05/17/2012     $309.00
Queen Deluxe
05/11/2012-05/17/2012     $329.00

Liason Capitol Hill -- luxury on the Hill
2 Queen Beds
05/11/2012-05/16/2012
$459.00

Holiday Inn Rosslyn Key Bridge -- convenient to American U
King
05/11/2012-05/16/2012  $109.00-$149.00
2 Double Beds
05/11/2012-05/16/2012  $109.00-$149.00

Americana Hotel -- near Crystal City Metro, includes Continental Breakfasat
1 Queen Bed  05/11/2012-05/12/2012  $115.00
1 King Bed  05/11/2012-05/12/2012  $125.00
Two Double Beds  05/11/2012-05/12/2012  $135.00

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

Holiday Inn National Airport
Arlington, VA
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

Le Meridien 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

Quality Inn Mount Vernon
Two Queen Beds
05/11/2012-05/17/2012
$93.00

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
$139.00
=
Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Old Town Alexandria
2 Double Beds
05/11/2012-05/17/2012
$159.00
Alexandria, VA

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 -- Old Town Alexandria
1 Queen Deluxe
05/11/2012-05/17/2012
$239.00

Lorien Hotel & Spa -- Old Town Alexandria, by King Street Metro
2 Double Beds
05/11/2012-05/17/2012
$239.00
King
05/11/2012-05/17/2012
$239.00


Hampton Inn Silver Spring -- breakfast included;
King
05/11/2012-05/16/2012  $99.00

Double Tree Silver Spring
2 Double Beds
05/11/2012-05/16/2012  $99.00
King
05/11/2012-05/16/2012  $99.00

Hyatt Regency Bethesda -- Near Downtown Bethesda Metro
Two Double Beds
05/11/2012-05/16/2012  $119.00-$229.00
King
05/11/2012-05/16/2012  $119.00-$229.00

Crowne Plaza WDC/Silver Spring -- convenient to Catholic University
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 pull-out 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

Morton’s the Steakhouse Georgetown: Planit Meetings New Favorite Happy Hour

 

Last week, looking for a quiet bar in DC to go with friends, we decided to try Morton’s, and then wondered why we had been avoiding it all these years! We loved Morton’s Georgetown so much, that we went back again last evening – 3 times in 2 weeks.  Morton’s Bar on Mondays is the perfect place to hold an office staff meeting, impress a potential client, and or have a date night. You know that Planit Meetings does not give out superlatives lightly: our reputation is on the line.

 Morton’s is, for lack of a better word, wonderful: where the mythical Boston ‘Cheers’ bar would be, if it were in DC, and had a restaurant attached:  nice bar staff, comfortable seating, the kind of place where you can have good, long talks with your friends comfortably, while keeping an eye on one of the bar's TVs across the room (as in NCAA tournament that starts tonight). Further, outdoor seating gets you a good Café Milano-watching spot, as in hoping to catch a glimpse of political or entertainment industry celebs who dine there. (Morton’s is accessible, egalitarian, affordable.)

Beers are $5, wine $6.50, martinis $7.50.  What Planit Meetings really, really loves are the sumptuous bar bites, that, at between $6 and $7, are large enough for a meal, and totally affordable. We’ve tried all the bar bites. The iceberg lettuce wedge bites gets you your veggie MDR, the smoked salmon pizza, your weekly Omega-3 MDR. The cheeseburger or filet mignon sliders are Atkin’s diet perfection. If you like crab cakes, you will honestly find none better than Morton's. I tried to get the recipe. That good.

Morton’s is the kind of place that you like to hang around, bring people to every day, especially because it’s an easy segue into the dining room, and a full dinner, at a later time.

The bartender told us last night that Morton’s will be undergoing an unobtrusive renovation in the coming weeks. The menu will include more vegetarian entrees and bar bites, and the restaurant will be more open, lighter. Hard to improve upon this place, but would love to see some mushrooms added to bar bite menu.

Planit Meetings cannot think of a better place, than Morton's Georgetown, to stop for a drink and ‘snack’ on the way home from work. 

Happy Hour Power Hour prices mentioned above are available 5-6:30 and 9pm to closing.
 

Morton's the Steakhouse

3251 Prospect Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 342-6258 ‎ mortons.com/Georgetown/bar

Hours today:

5:30–11:00 pm

Planit Meetings Offers Portion of Commissions to Midwestern Tornado Relief Effort

Please spread the word. Planit Meetings is giving a portion of all commissions on new individual or group hotel reservations, made during the month of March, 2012, to aide the Indiana tornado relief efforts. Planit Meetings firmly believes that it is the responsibility of all of us to help, however we can. We are not free to go to Indiana and the other hard-hit states to help in clean-up and rebuilding efforts; YOU and we, together, can help in another way.


Planit Meetings receives small commissions from hotels, when we make hotel reservations for individuals or groups. We are giving 33% of any earned commissions for any new reservations, whether for one night for one room, or three nights for 20 rooms, or 100 rooms to help out in the disaster.

Watch this blog to find out the tornado disaster relief org that we will be helping.We believe that funds should go to the Indiana chapter of the American Red Cross, earmarked Indiana tornado relief. Open to suggestions.

Please tell friends, neighbors, colleagues that on all hotel reservations, for individuals or groups of any size, made during March 2012, Planit Meetings will give 33% of all realized hotel commissions to aide tornado relief.

Planit Meetings has a ten-year history of helping out. For the past year, we have been actively fundraising for a no-kill animal rescue in the south. Over the years, we have been actively contributing time and earnings to help others in need, like Katrina relief efforts, and Haiti.

Planit Meetings has long time Indiana roots and loyalties, with one third of our staff attending undergrad and or grad school at universities in Indiana. 


For rate inquiries about hotels in cities in the US, email:  susan@planitmeetings.com

We offer discounted rates, no-walk guarantees, complimentary concierge services, at hotels in most cities in the US. Our services are FREE, NO pre-pay, cancellable without penalty 24 hours prior to arrival.

This weekend, we at Planit Meetings have been contacting restaurants, hoteliers and our Planit Meetings counterparts in Indiana to help out, whether stocking shelters with bed linen, offering shelter and or food at hotels.

We have been inspired by newsreports of Hoosiers helping Hoosiers.

Watch this space for updates.

Susan    susan@planitmeetings.com