Hotels Special Section No-Sweat Summer Tourists in D.C. Can Beat the Heat, While Getting Bang for their Buck by Christine Cubé When it comes to sites and attractions, it’s tough to beat Washington, D.C. And to help tourists beat the heat this summer, area hotels are rolling out the red carpet for visitors looking for a good deal packaged with some quality offerings. Here’s a sampling of some of the hot bargains that take the sweat out of sightseeing. Check out the Holiday Inn Georgetown’s special package through the city tourism organization Destination DC called “Sites of the Capital – Washington, D.C. by Trolley.” In addition to accommodations at the Holiday Inn Georgetown (2101 Wisconsin Ave., NW) with rooms starting at $91.99, the package includes an Old Town Trolley Tour by Historic Tours of America, free use of a local shuttle to and from trolley drop points, and, if you brought a car, 50 percent off parking. The Old Town Trolley Tour is obviously the star attraction of this vacation package, allowing visitors to tour the District at their own pace. Trolley narrators cover more than 100 points during the excursion, and visitors are encouraged to jump on and off whenever they want to explore an attraction. Optional extras to the “Sites of the Capital” package include “Bike the Sites,” which takes guests on a bike ride tour along the National Mall, the Potomac River Tidal Basin, and other attractions. Guided tours are offered daily around 2 p.m. and include a hybrid bike rental, helmet, snack and bottled water. “Washington Walks Georgetown,” meanwhile, is a two-hour, two-mile commitment that winds through Georgetown’s shopping and restaurant district every Friday and Sunday at 10 a.m. Tour guides point out the homes of the city’s elite as well as the historic 200-year-old mansions and properties that are open to the public. Interested tour-goers can just meet up at the intersection of 28th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, by 10 a.m. to get started. Another summer package featuring the city’s top attractions is the “Smithsonian Experience” at the St. Gregory Luxury Hotel & Suites (2033 M Street, NW). The deal includes a stay at the St. Gregory, a welcome dessert or cocktail, a dining discount passport, 50 percent off daily parking at the hotel, breakfast for two, and two all-day Metro passes. And if you haven’t brushed up on your English lately, the hotel has a multilingual staff speaking at least 15 languages, including Arabic, French, Spanish, Urdu, Amharic, Portuguese, Italian, Vietnamese and German. Optional extras to the “Smithsonian Experience” include the Old Town Trolley Tour (see above), general admission to the National Museum of Crime and Punishment (where a temporary exhibit space is devoted to bank robber John Dillinger ahead of the summer flick “Public Enemy), and a dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Washington. The Spirit Cruises are a popular draw and include a large buffet, dancing and live music. The view is also hard to match, with the majestic Washington monuments and memorials floating along in the background — perfect for a date or a grand affair for up to 60 people. If you’re looking for something more romantic, area hotels are chock full of quiet and quaint deals. The Hyatt Regency Bethesda right by the Bethesda Metro (7400 Wisconsin Ave., Md.) has a “Romantic Escape” package that involves deluxe overnight accommodations, continental breakfast for two, chilled champagne with strawberries, rose-petal turndown service, valet parking, early check-in and — naturally — a late checkout. Thinking about something that might involve the whole family? Through Expedia, the Hyatt Regency Bethesda is also offering a Family Vacation Promotion valid through Sept. 7. This version includes daily continental breakfast, access to a half-day Camp Hyatt’s kids’ program, a welcome amenity (locally inspired by the in-room kid’s snack), 15 percent discount on Hyatt Pure spa services, and 20 percent discount on purchases at the National Geographic Online Store. The Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert Street, NW) in Woodley Park is catering to families with its “Omni Flips for Summer” package through Sept. 6. The setup includes the complimentary use of a new Pure Digital Flip video camcorder — a pocket-size video camera — to snap and shoot family memories for the keeping. The hotel’s “summer fun counselors,” otherwise known as concierges, will also contact guests prior to their arrival to help personalize the stay. The package also includes breakfast for four and the chance to enter a three-minute video to win a trip for four to Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania. Finally, Destination DC, which markets the District as a global convention and tourism hotspot, has a big listing of hotels participating in its “Staying Power” vacation campaign offering three-day getaways, with rooms discounted by as much as 30 percent and starting as low as $69 a night. Here are some of the sizzling “Staying Power” participants: • Marriott Wardman Park (2660 Woodley Road, NW) is a large convention hotel nestled amid 16 lush acres in the heart of Woodley Park, close to the National Zoo. • Hotel Helix (1430 Rhode Island Avenue, NW) is a pop-art sensation in Logan Circle that takes nothing seriously. The boutique hotel comes with flashing lights, bright colors, and a smooth, comfortable lounge for drinks. • Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle, NW) features a fun pool, unpretentious hospitality and resort-like atmosphere. • Beacon Hotel & Corporate Quarters (1615 Rhode Island Avenue, NW) was expanded and renovated with a contemporary design — filled with exotic woods, marble and stainless steel finishes — in 2004. The hotel features upscale turret suites with rounded bedrooms and New York-inspired studio suites. • The Churchill Hotel (1914 Connecticut Ave., NW) offers travelers Old World refinement — and oversize guest rooms — in trendy Dupont Circle. • L’Enfant Plaza Hotel (480 L’Enfant Plaza, SW) is literally steps away from the National Mall. Pick any direction and you will stumble upon Smithsonian museums and monuments. If you’d rather ride than walk, the Metro is conveniently located below the hotel. • Hay Adams Hotel (800 16th St., NW) is a prestigious property located by another prestigious residence, the White House, which sits directly across the hotel in Lafayette Square. Christine Cubéis a freelance writer in Alexandria, Va.

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