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Post by BagLady on Jul 20, 2013 13:13:50 GMT -5
I found a deal through Travelocity at the Hotel Lombardy. Travelocity has a deal right now for $50 off $300 at select hotels (offer code is SUM50). My total is $318.14 ($159 x 2 nights, with tax, after discount). The hotel is located halfway between OPM and Embassy Suites (about a half mile to each) and is ranked 16 of 126 hotels in DC on TripAdvisor.
Also, if you are willing to prepay (no cancellations allowed), you can get this room for $291.28 ($127 x 2 nights, plus tax). In-room internet is included.
******Update******
I'm loving the Lombardy, which I find completely charming. The location is excellent, the staff is friendly, and the bed is oh-so-comfy. I'm a big fan. In this morning's drizzle they lent me an umbrella. The door man opens the door. "Historic Hotels of America"? Yes, please.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2013 14:29:33 GMT -5
I found the cheapest place EVER www.americanahotel.com/ but it is in Crystal City. I have no problem hitting the road early and getting on the metro or getting on a bus at 0600 to make my WD at 0800, my SI is at 1000! My lodging costs for both days will be about $150. I just need a clean place to sleep and am flying out right after my SI is done. Used miles to fly into DC, taking two furlough days for the pay period so I will only use one vacation day. Keeping costs to a minimum for this trip.
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Post by choler5000 on Jul 20, 2013 14:32:51 GMT -5
For folks who like Marriott, it looks like the Washington Marriott is very close to the Embassy Suites.
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Post by sandiferhands (old) on Jul 20, 2013 15:09:40 GMT -5
9/16-9/17 testing/SI
Courtyard Marriott Foggy Bottom for day 1 since it is just across the street from the testing center--about $370/night (ouch, but no need to deal with transportation).
Moving to Embassy Suites for the SI since that is where it will be held the next day, $270/night.
Southwest had cheap flights, was about $350 round-trip.
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Post by westernalj on Jul 20, 2013 16:45:32 GMT -5
I booked the Courtyard Marriott Foggy Bottom for $179/night for mid-August.
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Post by westernalj on Jul 20, 2013 16:46:39 GMT -5
I booked the Courtyard Marriott Foggy Bottom for $179/night for mid-August.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 20, 2013 18:11:26 GMT -5
Changing hotels, I am using the State Plaza the night before the WD and the Embassy Suites the night before the SI. The cost was better than using either one for both nights.
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Post by robespierre on Jul 20, 2013 19:02:47 GMT -5
BagLady, I REALLY don't recommend the Lombardy. Stayed there once when my son was at a summer program at GW right across the street. I found it OLD and dingy.
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Post by 71stretch on Jul 20, 2013 19:09:59 GMT -5
Changing hotels, I am using the State Plaza the night before the WD and the Embassy Suites the night before the SI. The cost was better than using either one for both nights. Not a bad idea.....
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Post by minny on Jul 20, 2013 20:23:33 GMT -5
I stayed at the Lombardy once, also. It definitely has character but it is old as robespierre said. Not my favorite.
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Post by papresqr on Jul 20, 2013 20:24:13 GMT -5
Just FYI for any current ODAR or other government employees, I called the Embassy Suites and asked about getting the government rate even though it wasn't for official business and they gave it to me no problem. I'm paying $169 per night, and planning on staying 3 nights, since my SI is late afternoon.
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Post by minny on Jul 20, 2013 20:29:57 GMT -5
papresqr, I am hoping to get the government rate also since I will be there an additional two nights on official business (if everything works out just right).
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Post by mcb on Jul 20, 2013 20:34:09 GMT -5
Not trying to be a jackass, but isn't using the government rate for when you're doing government work?
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Post by minny on Jul 20, 2013 20:43:42 GMT -5
If the hotel gives you the government discount after you're honest with them then it's no different than me getting an AARP discount rate even though I am a few months shy of the magic age.
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Post by mcb on Jul 20, 2013 20:54:47 GMT -5
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Post by papresqr on Jul 20, 2013 20:59:42 GMT -5
Not trying to be a jackass, but isn't using the government rate for when you're doing government work? I assumed that, but the description of the discount online didn't say that or give a lot of information, so I called to ask. I told her exactly why I was there and that I was not on government business, and she said that was fine. If the hotel okays it with that knowledge, that's up to them.
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Post by minny on Jul 20, 2013 21:03:24 GMT -5
Thanks for posting. Now I feel very comfortable being honest and seeing whether they will offer the discount after reading the following: "Regarding the practice of hotels giving a Federal employee the Government rate for his or her room when the employee is on personal travel, the employee may accept the Government rate, subject to the following limitations: (1) the employee should not accept the Government rate if the hotel is one of the prohibited sources set forth in section 735.202 of 5 C.F.R. (This does not prohibit an employee from accepting the Government rate if the employee's only involvement with the hotel occurs in the course of arranging his or her own business travel accommodations.); and (2) the employee may not misrepresent the purpose of the travel, i.e., say that he or she is on business, in order to get rates that are not available for personal travel."
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Post by papresqr on Jul 20, 2013 21:13:14 GMT -5
This is the pertinent section regarding hotel discounts, and it sounds pretty clear cut to me. I didn't get any official input from my agency, but my supervisor thought it was a good idea when I told her I planned to call and ask. "Regarding the practice of hotels giving a Federal employee the Government rate for his or her room when the employee is on personal travel, the employee may accept the Government rate, subject to the following limitations: (1) the employee should not accept the Government rate if the hotel is one of the prohibited sources set forth in section 735.202 of 5 C.F.R. (This does not prohibit an employee from accepting the Government rate if the employee's only involvement with the hotel occurs in the course of arranging his or her own business travel accommodations.); and (2) the employee may not misrepresent the purpose of the travel, i.e., say that he or she is on business, in order to get rates that are not available for personal travel."
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Post by papresqr on Jul 20, 2013 21:15:06 GMT -5
Sorry for the duplicate - Minny beat me to it.
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Post by dreamer13 on Jul 20, 2013 21:35:37 GMT -5
There are a lot of hotels in that area, so make sure you are all getting the best deals. You can find hotels that are no more than a 20 min walk (or a 6min cab ride) to OPM or to the Embassy Suites
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