Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

I'm in court posting this from my iPhone.

I've gotten a text from Gail for a $209 per night offer at Red Lion.

The way rates are looking for that Cherry Blossom weekend, that is in the range for what we are probably going to end up with.

I'm pasting Gail's entire message here, let me know your thoughts!



Hi tom &Jim! I've been checking out a few hotels and got a call from Danielle today from red lion- she's holding a
Block of rooms ( on a verbal request) for new. Will need to get back to her little later today if this is a go. Looks like very convenient location. Only 1 block from metro so if anyone flying into DC they could easily take metro to hotel.
Gail
Hi Gail and Tom,

Gail, it was a pleasure to speak with you earlier, and we’d be delighted to welcome your group to Hotel RL! Per our conversation, I am happy to extend the discounted rate of $209 for your fellow enthusiasts on Friday and Saturday, April 1st and 2nd. (For any guests who would like to come in on Thursday, I can still extend a discounted rate of $229).

$209 Rate Includes:
- Free WiFi
- Spacious rooms with living area (sectional sofa, coffee table, desk)
- Microwave, fridge, and Keurig coffee maker in each room.
- Free passes to Gold’s Gym and LA Fitness (each just one block away)
- Office center with free printing and computers for use
- Perfect location: In the heart of downtown, just 1.5 blocks from 4 metro lines (Orange, Blue, Silver, Red) and a 10-minute walk to the White House.

To book this exclusive group rate (you won’t find it online), you’ll work directly with me. Our next step would be the Group Agreement to secure these rooms and the rates. I’m here as your resource, and I can get everything set up for you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you, Gail and Tom, and wishing you a great day.
All the best,

Danielle Shover | Sales Manager
T 571-289-1450 | Danielle.Shover@redlion.com
Hotel RL Washington DC, 1823 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

Based on what I've seen, that is probably a decent rate. The one possibility I saw that might be better was on Hotwire - 4.5 stars in Dupont Embassy Row area for $183. It shows a 90% favorable rating, which sounds pretty positive. I'm just not that familiar with either Hotwire or the hotels in that area to have an idea of what it might be.

I'm in with whatever the DC committee and the BD decides

SF Ed

Ok let's really try to make a final decision by Tuesday and get this wrapped up.
I'll really focus on this in the next 48 hours.

Gail is working hard on hotel options, we may have something as early as tomorrow (Monday) morning. If we do, we plan on acting on it promptly.
So, again, it will be real important to check in here during the next 24-48 hours.
(This message written at noon on Sunday eastern time.)

Gail, how large is the Dupont Circle Hotel? I did some research on BetterBidding.com looking at Hotwire hotels, and asked for some help in identifying a 4.5 star hotel in the Dupont Circle area available for $183. Their best guess is that it is the Dupont Circle Hotel. If it is a good size vs. boutique hotel, we might be enough rooms available at that rate. Thoughts?

Looks like a nice place. I wonder if we can negotiate a group rate with them.
It would be a good idea to start getting an idea of how many rooms we are going to need, and for whether people will need 3 nights (Thurs to Sun) or 2 nights (Fri to Sun).

JimHow +1 = 3 nights

Jon and Paula (2) - arriving on Wed so 4 nights if we can do it for the same rate as 3 nights. Otherwise we might stay someplace else the on Wed night.

JimHow +1 = 3 nights
Jon + Paula = 4 nights

JimHow +1 = 3 nights
Jon + Paula = 4 nights
Tom and Gail - 2 nights
Barb and Bob - 1 night

Dupont Circle Hotel looks fine - They do have rooms available. I have to call back tomorrow morning to get a group rate. We have a tentative hold on rooms at Red Lion (also in NW DC) at 209.00 for Fri/Sat nights and weekdays at 229.00 for those coming in on Wed/Thurs but I think we may be able to get a better price at Dupont Circle.
Another possible option - The Mayflower, it's an old historic hotel built in the 1920's with lots of charm. Since starting searches on hotels I'm getting quite a few emails/ads on FB with offers. If The Mayflower can meet the RL price is there any interest in pursuing that option? It's such a pretty hotel

JimHow +1 = 3 nights
Jon + Paula = 4 nights
Tom and Gail - 2 nights
Barb and Bob - 1 night
Patrick + brother = 2 nights (Thursday and Fright), plus Patrick solo = 1 night (Saturday)

JimHow +1 = 3 nights
Jon + Paula = 4 nights
Tom and Gail - 2 nights
Barb and Bob - 1 night
Patrick + brother = 2 nights (Thursday and Fri night), plus Patrick solo = 1 night (Saturday)
stefan + Lucie = 3 nights

I have seen numerous offers for the DuPont Circle Hotel at $202 to $246 on various travel sites. Pretty sure the 4.5 star hotel on Hotwire for $183 is the DuPont Circle.

Whatever we decide, Marjorie and me will be in for the three nights (Thurs-Sun).

Chris Bublitz

JimHow +1 = 3 nights
Jon + Paula = 4 nights
Tom and Gail - 2 nights
Barb and Bob - 1 night
Patrick + brother = 2 nights (Thursday and Fri night), plus Patrick solo = 1 night (Saturday)
stefan + Lucie = 3 nights
Chris and Marjorie - 3 nights

SF Ed + Lisa = 2 nights (Fri/Sat)

JimHow +1 = 3 nights
Jon + Paula = 4 nights
Tom and Gail - 2 nights
Barb and Bob - 1 night
Patrick + brother = 2 nights (Thursday and Fri night), plus Patrick solo = 1 night (Saturday)
stefan + Lucie = 3 nights
Chris and Marjorie - 3 nights
SF Ed + Lisa - 2 nights (Fri/Sat)

Rob and I will go with whatever the majority decides. We will need three nights.

JimHow +1 = 3 nights
Jon + Paula = 4 nights
Tom and Gail - 2 nights
Barb and Bob - 1 night
Patrick + brother = 2 nights (Thursday and Fri night), plus Patrick solo = 1 night (Saturday)
stefan + Lucie = 3 nights
Chris and Marjorie - 3 nights
SF Ed + Lisa - 2 nights (Fri/Sat)
Rob + Sue = 3 nights

Just got off the phone with group booking with DuPont Circle. They have given us the rate of $189- weekday and weekend.
They are holding 10 rooms for Fri/Sat and understand some are coming to town a few days early.
I'm in meetings for the rest of the day - we'll post more details tonight.

At this point, we are planning to spend Friday night at the Hotel. Dupont Circle is a nice hotel and an easy stroll to the Friday night venue. Thanks Gail!

Thanks Gail!
With Mr/Mrs Vino staying on Friday night, that will bring us to 10 rooms:

JimHow +1 = 3 nights
Jon + Paula = 4 nights
Tom and Gail - 2 nights
Barb and Bob - 1 night
Patrick + brother = 2 nights (Thursday and Fri night), plus Patrick solo = 1 night (Saturday)
stefan + Lucie = 3 nights
Chris and Marjorie - 3 nights
SF Ed + Lisa - 2 nights (Fri/Sat)
Rob + Sue = 3 nights
Mr./Mrs. Vino - 1 night

10 rooms

This does not account for MichaelP & Nalan nor Michael's friends, nor Marcs, Omar, Nic and friend.

Barb and Bob are only staying Saturday, so maybe they'll hot bunk with the vino's?

The rate is $189 per night plus (the usual obscene rate on people who don't vote in the area) hotel tax of 14.5%. Call the hotel at (202) 483-6000 and reference the group "Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts" (that shouldn't be too hard to remember ) Each reservation will require a credit card for guarantee. The cutoff date for this rate is March 11. Cancellation is 24 hours before booked arrival.

Tom

Ok I'm going to do it right now, I'll report back.

Ok I just called and they said they are still in the process of approving the deal, it looks like it is going to take another day or so.

Yeah - some time tomorrow, I think.

I'll give it a try by mid-morning.
Attendees are going to want to stay on top of this because Gail has reserved 10 rooms and by my count we may end up needing about 11 or 12, so someone is likely not going to get in on the discount. You snooze you lose!

I just tried again. They are still finalizing the deal, they said it should be ready later this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

From hotel:

Hi, Gail,

Just an FYI: about 4 people have begun calling already for reservations but reservations will not be able to be made in the block until we have processed the contract. I just received it this morning so please allow until close of business today to get the paperwork processed. Then reservations can begin.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Sarah

Sarah Betman
Senior Sales Manager
The Dupont Circle
1500 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington DC, 20036, USA

T +1 202 797 0158

Nalan and I are staying with Thomas+Johanna as they live in Georgetown, so no hotel for us this year.

When I lived in DC for 5 years in the mid-90s' I lived in the Dupont Circle area. It was nice then and probably nicer now. There is a metro stop there and you can walk to many other nice areas. Good choice.

Michael-P

Ok sounds good, so it sounds like 10 rooms will be just about right.
Can whoever is successful post here and let us know.

The booking is open now, I made my reservation about an hour ago.

Susan and I are booked.

They're jerking me around here, saying Thursday night is not available.

in!

I'm in! they made a "special exception" for me for Thursday night, claiming they were already booked up at the special rate for that night. I told her I hope it's not going to be a problem for others still booking, she didn't seem to think it would be.

I was just told that the rate did not apply to other nights. They quoted me $289 for any other nights.

Hmm I told the lady we were all in at $189 or we were all out.

I got three nights at $189/each, including Thursday.

So did I but only because I bitched about it. She tried to charge me a higher rate for Thursday night.