BUSH INAUGURATION High-end Washington hotels use extravagant deals to lure guests

Planning for the event was a lot smoother than Bush's first inauguration.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- As the capital gears up for President Bush's second inauguration, some of its finest hotels are dreaming up ways to lure big-spending Republican Party loyalists and Bush supporters to their properties.
Don't have a room yet?
The Ritz-Carlton offers four nights in a luxury suite, first-class airfare, a pair of seats at the inaugural parade, a butler who travels to a guest's home to pack their belongings in new Louis Vuitton luggage and other perks to any couple willing to spend $150,000 -- about the same as a year's tuition for four students at Yale, Bush's alma mater.
For one-sixth of the price, the Hay-Adams Hotel's $25,000 inauguration package buys four nights in the Federal Suite, which has panoramic views of the White House, Lafayette Park and St. John's Episcopal Church, and two bathrooms. The package, which sold Friday, also comes with an "on-call" Cadillac sedan, presidential cuff links and a Tiffany commemorative keepsake.
Yet for all the big bucks to be spent on accommodations for the Jan. 20 inauguration, there is little political capital to be gained. The money goes to the hotels, instead of the GOP or an inaugural planning committee.
Busy time
Some of the finer hotels are already sold out for the inauguration, including the Capital Hilton and Hay-Adams, both near the White House, and the Washington Hilton, scene of the 1981 assassination attempt on President Reagan.
Besides hotels, top dining spots are preparing for brisk business, too.
Inauguration always has been a busy time, said Bill Carter, general manager of the Prime Rib, a Washington institution within walking distance of the White House. He expects to be fully booked inauguration week.
"A lot of times people come here because the food's better than at the balls," Carter said.
Party planners expect things to be smoother than in 2001, given how quickly the Nov. 2 election was settled. Four year ago, weeks of postelection wrangling delayed the outcome until December, which cut into precious inauguration-planning time and frayed the nerves of many a party organizer and caterer.
"We were holding rooms for both [parties] at that time, and once it was finally decided, our reservations and sales office was just slammed," said Colleen Evans, spokeswoman for the Ritz-Carlton. "So much was last minute."
These once-every-four-years events also are easier to pull off when an incumbent wins a second term, she said. The incumbent's tastes are known, and second inaugurals typically are more low key. The coming celebration also could be even more muted than usual, with nearly 160,000 U.S. troops at war in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Presidential treatment
For anyone curious about what it's like to be president, the Fairmont Hotel aims to give a taste with its "President for a Day" package. The deal includes accommodations in the hotel's presidential suite, a party for 10 with Beluga caviar and Dom Perignon champagne, a Rolls Royce and driver to and from inaugural festivities and two dark-suited, make-believe Secret Service agents whispering into their jacket cuffs.
The price: $40,000 for the required four-night stay.
None had been sold by week's end, but hotel spokeswoman Diana Bulger was hopeful. "People have been known to buy more expensive things, and this one includes quite a few things that are fun," she said.
Luxury package
The Ritz-Carlton's luxury suite has a king-sized bedroom and dressing area, and master bathroom with a double vanity, sunken tub and separate shower, but no panoramic views of the White House. The hotel is about 2 miles away.
Included in the $150,000 package, however, is a reception for 25 with Cristal champagne and Beluga caviar, a personal chauffeur, tickets to one of the inaugural balls and two weekend stays at the Ritz-Carlton every year until the 2009 inauguration. The butler not only will pack the new set of Louis Vuitton luggage, valued at $20,000, but ensure that it is shipped to the hotel.
"This package will appeal to a couple who enjoys indulging themselves in luxury and wants to mark the election of the president in a memorable way," said Paul Westbrook, the hotel's general manager.
Within a week of the election, Brenda Dismond, catering manager at the Palm, another white-linen establishment, had booked two parties -- one before Bush's swearing-in and one after -- for 105 people.
"I think it's a lot easier for people to plan this time than last time," she said.
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