Go Green in Washington DC’s Fairmont

by Grant Martin on

Feeling a little drained from your time on the hill? Fear not, brave traveler — nothing washes the grime from the road off better than a fresh, green hotel. Washington DC’s Fairmont, winner of Mayor Adrian Fenty’s Environmental Excellence Award, will do just that.

Premium visitors can luxuriate in a Lexus Hybrid Living Suite (pictured above and below), an environment meticulously crafted for the eco-conscious traveler, with green amenities such as organic wine and design inspired by Lexus Hybrid Living. And while it’s true that guests won’t get the company of a luxury sedan inside of their proper room, the hotel has an LS 600h L that’s available for complimentary guest use.

Everyday hoteliers can still benefit from Fairmont’s green initiatives by enjoying the fresh honey harvested on the building’s own roof. In response to the national bee shortage this summer, Fairmont installed a battery of beehives on the outside of the downtown hotel, and as summer plods along, the 100,000 bees are hard at work producing delicious, succulent honey.

Other tweaks to DC Fairmont make the property even eco-friendlier without sacrificing a shred of the brand’s quality. Upgrades include:

  • Low-flow shower heads
  • Low wattage compact fluorescent light bulbs
  • Digital thermostats
  • Natural and healthy choice restaurant menu selections
  • Greenhouse gas offsets from select building compartments
  • Courtyard herb garden for local restaurant flavoring

Rooms at the DC Fairmont start at just over $125, while the suites and Lexus Suite are respectively more expensive.

If packages are your fancy, two new deals that the Fairmont hosts are The Eco Power Package and the Green Washingtonian. With the former package guests get to stay in the Lexus Hybrid suite (with free access to the hotel LS 600h!) nestled in style, while the hotel respectively donates $100 to the National Geographic Society for each stay. The Green Washingtonian hosts organic cocktails for guests

Each package can be booked on Fairmont’s Travel Green promotion page.

You never know who that subway musician might be …

by Annie Scott on


“Real Good for Free” is a classic Joni Mitchell song (thanks henhenstoll on YouTube for posting this BBC version).

The song is a ballad about Joni seeing a talented musician on the street “playin’ real good for free” and no one paying any attention to him, when she gets fancy hotels and concert halls, and how strange that is. It’s a beautiful song about the guilt that can come with success.

Well, The Washington Post put the song’s principle to the test. They had world famous violin legend Joshua Bell play at L’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, D.C. at rush hour to see what would happen.

They even asked Leonard Slatkin, music director of the National Symphony Orchestra what he thought would happen, and Slatkin said:

“Let’s assume that he is not recognized and just taken for granted as a street musician . . . Still, I don’t think that if he’s really good, he’s going to go unnoticed. He’d get a larger audience in Europe . . . but, okay, out of 1,000 people, my guess is there might be 35 or 40 who will recognize the quality for what it is. Maybe 75 to 100 will stop and spend some time listening.”

Slatkin said that a crowd would gather and the musician would make $150.

The results, as you might guess: He made $34. Nobody really paid much attention except a child, and even those who did drop a dollar in his case barely stopped walking to do so. Sorry Mr. Slatkin, busy people, even classical music lovers, barely hear the street musicians on our way to work. And it’s very sad.

This actually took place about a year ago, but the article is still worth a read, and makes you think twice about how well you appreciate what’s around you.

Thanks, Michael C., for the tip on this experiment by The Washington Post.

When supply and demand becomes gouge and pilfer

by Scott Carmichael on

January 20th will be a pretty big day for any business in the Washington DC area. It probably doesn’t matter whether you are selling doughnuts or special inauguration plates, people will be heading to DC in the millions ready to buy whatever it is you are selling.

With that many people, it is only logical that many of them will plan to stay the night, so naturally that drives the price of accommodations up a little. However, it appears that most hotels in the area have taken “a little” to a whole new level, way beyond what they usually do for special events.

Take for example the Crown Plaza Hamilton, a fairly basic 3 1/2 star hotel in the downtown area. This hotel normally charges between $85 and $100 for a standard room. Care to guess what they want for a night in a standard room during the inauguration?

That’s right, $1000 bucks. And not just anyone can get that rate, you’ll need to reserve at least 3 nights to get that “special rate”.

In their defense, they are by far not the only ones cashing in on this event, even suburban 1 star hotels are charging a staggering $699 a night (compared to their usual $59 rate).

Get thee to the White House!

by Annie Scott on

Planning a trip for Obama’s Inauguration? Expedia will help you.

Expedia has set up a whole host of tools to get you to D.C. and into a hotel, car, tours (don’t miss the FBI!), or whatever you need with as little hassle as possible.

The Expedia 56th Presidential Inauguration Site features travel tips like which airports are nearby, what suburbs to stay in if the city’s booked, and all kinds of activities to try, including a list of great free activities like the Inaugural Parade!

It’s going to be a momentous occasion in Washington D.C. and all over the country. Don’t you want to tell your grandchildren you were there?

The best advice I can give you? Book now. Like, today. Everything’s gonna fill up fast.

Bookworms unite: National Book Festival takes place in Washington, D.C.

by Anna Brones on

Most people read a book while they travel, but what about traveling to read a book? If you’re going to be in the nation’s capital next week, you’re going to want to plan some time for the 8th annual National Book Festival being held on September 27. Sponsored by the Library of Congress, the festival draws over 100,000 book lovers for a day of full-on book and literacy celebration.

Ok, I realize this post may be starting to sound a little more nerd related than travel, but the festival features over 70 award-winning authors — like one of our favorite travel writers Paul Theroux and travel guide expert Arthur Frommer — that will interact with visitors perusing the seven themed pavilions located on the National Mall. Come on, you get the opportunity to meet some of today’s best American authors, all for free. Plus you might get a sighting of the First Lady herself as Mrs. Laura Bush is the official host. At the end of the day, supporting literacy is a pretty good thing.

Want to put it on your itinerary? Here are the details:

  • Where: The National Mall between 3rd and 7th streets
  • When: September 27, 10 am – 5:30 pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Why: Because reading makes for educated individuals and educated individuals make for better travelers!