I am planning a conference in DC two years from now. Frankly, I have no idea how to begin. Guest list is 75-100 people for a 3 day weekend in the fall. I'm looking for a hotel that screams "WELCOME TO DC." Something with old world charm, or political undertones, or ... something. Could anyone offer up some advice as to how to begin? I'm trying to keep rooms under $200 and I'll need to provide them with breakfast, one nice dinner, and I'm aiming for lunch, as well.

Contact the Convention and Visitors Center. They should be able to give you both a list of destination companies - which it sounds like you need - as well as lists of hotels and restaurants with contacts for meetings.

agree with the general suggestion to contact the convention and visitor's bureau.

a hotel that might fit your description is the Mayflower, which has recently become the (Marriott)Renaissance Mayflower. It is a very traditional hotel that is recently undergoing some upgrading. I think (but don't know) that you might be able to get rooms in that price range if you had a large block. People have recently gotten pretty good rates there on weekends, don't know about during the week. Try a search on this board, there are at least one or two recent posts from people who have stayed there.

Check into "Crystal City" (Arlington Va.) Many high rise hotels that do conferences.

It will be a challenge to get something under the $200 rate.

I would suggest you look just outside of D.C. also.

Fairfax (Fair Lakes Area) has hotels that have shuttles to Metro.

Additionally, there are hotels near Dulles Airport that might fit this budget you looking at.

Sounds like a road trip is in order.

The Mayflower was the first hotel that came to my mind too. We stayed there a couple of weekends ago. The lobby renovations are complete and it looks beautiful.

A couple other hotels that might meet your requirements:

The Melrose Hotel
The Hotel Washington (recently purchased)
The Omni Shoreham
The Madison

It will be easier to negotiate room rates if you hold all your conference functions at the hotel, since that's where they will make their money. Make sure you know what the price of everything will be, and get every little detail in writing.

Since your conference is on the small side (in DC terms), you might be happier in a smaller hotel where you will be the focus of their attention.

I like the Hyatt on Capitol Hill...great views!
Charlie

Thanks for your suggestions. Yep, a road trip is in order! I am a graduate assistant...this is RESEARCH.

I've already looked at some of their websites, and the government rate for several are in the $180 range. So I expect to be able to get a block of rooms for under $200. Plus, a lot of the attendees are state government employees.

I am NOT looking outside of downtown, even if I have to pay more. The whole point of hosting a conference in DC is to have it in DC.

Thanks everyone!

I've been to a lot of conferences in DC, as well as living here, and I think the Omni and Madison are good suggestions. They both do conferences, anyway. Although yours is so small, it's nothing like the ones I've been to. Of course, some of the other big hotels do a lot, but they are nothing special (like the Hilton). Embassy Suites has done some also, I know I've been to some in that one (near 22nd and M), but again, most of these hotels are just hotels. At least the Omni and Madison have some history and style. I've never been to any in the Mayflower, I wonder if they do that, but it's a great choice if they do.

Christina, the Mayflower does indeed do conferences, though not of the same scale as the large conventions at the Omni, etc. The recent renovations may have resulted in expansion of the conference facilities, I'm not sure. But in any event, it would certainly work for a group of 75-100 people. I've attended several conferences there over the past few years, and enjoyed the relatively intimate atmosphere, compared to many the airport-terminal size "convention" hotels . . .

While not a "DC" hotel like the Mayflower, I've been very impressed with convention services at the Jurys Hotel right on Dupont Circle. And it is a fabulous location for nightlife and restaurants, and convenient to the Metro.

The government rate in DC during September is $195/night (currently.) Many DC hotels are used to government employees, so work with them to negotiate a good rate (coming from a fellow conference planner, depending on who is paying for what, it might be very important to secure the correct GSA rate. Use this for leverage.) Also, as was previously stated, working with the hotel on meals and everything will make them more willing to negotiate.

I definitely agree with a hotel in the city - I've been to several meetings in Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Baltimore, etc., and it is much better to stay in downtown DC. Definitely take a tour before you begin planning!