Despite a late cold blast in the nation’s capital, Washington D.C.’s iconic cherry blossoms will bloom (at least most of them this year). Every year, the blooming buds take center stage at the city’s National Cherry Blossom Festival, a commemoration marking the anniversary of the 3,000 cherry trees gifted to the United States from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo in 1912. Orchestrated every year around the National Parks Services “peak bloom” forecast, the once modest festival now spans four weekends and welcomes more than 1.5 million people to the nation’s greatest springtime celebration. This year the opening ceremonies begin on March 25th, followed by the Blossom Kite Festival on April 1st, the National Cherry Blossom Parade on April 8th, and wrapping up with waterfront fireworks on April 15th.

With as many tourists as the Cherry Blossom Festival entices to D.C. every year, it’s easy to see why so many of the areas hotels, restaurants and bars are eager to join in the celebration with exclusive suite packages, signature menu items and spring inspired cocktails. Interested in viewing the beautiful blush-colored blossoms in bespoke style? We figured you would! That’s why LuxeGetaways has compiled our favorite places for you to sleep, eat and drink in style this cherry blossom season.


HOTELS


The Jefferson Hotel

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Picture Perfect Cherry Blossom Package

Book by April 16th; stay by April 30th

Includes:

> Deluxe overnight accommodations

> Full American breakfast for two each morning

> A cherry blossom coffee table book

> A gift Framebridge to have one of your Instagram photos of the Cherry Blossoms enlarged and framed as a keepsake of your 2017 Cherry Blossoms experience


The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.

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Cherry Blossoms Package

March 14th – April 16th
Starting at $409 USD per night
With Club Access starting at $609 USD per night

In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. is offering guests a special overnight package to enjoy the most beautiful season in the Nation’s Capital. Their concierge is also well-prepared to make any arrangements for the city’s many activities in honor of the Cherry Blossoms. This package  includes:

> Overnight accommodations in a renewed premier room or suite

> In-room Sakura Tea experience served in traditional Japanese teapots and cups.

> A Cherry and Lychee BentoBox dessert amenity

> A complimentary cocktail and small plate in Quadrant Bar & Lounge crafted in honor of the National Cherry Blossoms Festival.

> Complimentary Breakfast

> Complimentary Valet Parking


Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.

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Springtime By MO Package

March 10th – April 16th

Includes:

> A specially selected guestroom with exclusive views of the Tidal Basin and cherry trees

> A cherry blossom viewing “hanami” gourmet picnic for two

> Daily breakfast for two in Muze restaurant or in-room dining

> Complimentary valet parking

> Complimentary high speed wireless internet access for up to six devices per room


Park Hyatt, Washington

Courtesy Park Hyatt Washington D.C. - Lobby

Cherry Blossom Unveiled Package

March 20th- April 16th

Includes:

> A welcome cocktail from the Blue Duck Lounge’s new In Bloom Cocktail Series, which features a rotating selection from Earth N Eats Farm’s spring bounty in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

> A stay in the hotel’s newly enhanced Junior Suites

> Round-trip transportation to Dumbarton Oaks and the United States National Arboretum to experience the blooming cherry blossoms in a new way

> At the Arboretum, guests will be surrounded by blooming trees and flowering gardens while enjoying a specially packed picnic with dishes from the Michelin-starred Blue Duck Tavern, paired with cherry blossom tea

> An evening trip to the Tidal Basin will allow guests see the famed cherry blossoms and national monuments in the moonlight


The Hay-Adams

Cherry Blossoms Package

March 20th- April 16th

Includes:

> A luxuriously appointed guestroom created by the renowned designer Tom Pheasant

> A Sakura macaroons amenity

> A National Cherry Blossom welcome gift

> A specially commissioned, adult relaxation pocket-sized coloring book with a box of colored pencils, featuring 11 illustrations of famous Washington landmarks, including the Jefferson Memorial with the cherry blossoms, and The Hay-Adams, created by Pulitzer prize-winning political cartoonist Matt Wuerker

> An American breakfast for two each day, available through Room Service or in The Lafayette dining room



DINING & DRINKS

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ENO Wine Bar

March 21st – April 20th

Georgetown’s favorite wine bar is toasting to Cherry Blossoms with flavorful menu items available for a limited time. Offerings will feature locally sourced products from Washington, DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Featured items are:

> A duck pâté with dark cherries, pink peppercorn and pistachios served with toasted cherry walnut bread made fresh daily from Stachowski’s Market

> ‘Cherrykriek’ Cider from Maryland-based Millstone Cidery

> Cherry Blossom Chocolates from Pennsylvania-based artisanal chocolate maker, Zoe’s Chocolate Co.


Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown

March 15th – April 16th 

For a delicious drink, try the Cherry Blossom Cocktail, “Scarlett”. Toast the Cherry Blossom Season with this delicious Scarlett cocktail. This cocktail is made with fresh raspberries, Finlandia vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and Moet Chandon Champagne.


The Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.

April 1st

In partnership with Château d’Esclans, a prestigious estate and winery in Provence, France, the Willard InterContinental will host its Inaugural Rosé Romp. This elegant premier event will take place on the hotel’s outside terrace, replete with real cherry blossom trees, and will feature:

> An exclusive ‘Art Walk’ featuring an exclusive presentation of cherry blossom inspired artwork from established and emerging artists from around DC

> Delicious Château d’Esclans wines including the wildly popular Whispering Angel Rosé, seasonal local beers, and other selections

> A variety of springtime inspired food stations by Executive Chef Peter Laufer and his team, including seared scallops on minted saffron couscous, salmon and pesto pinwheel on orzo pasta, and seared beef tenderloin on brioche toast with sauce béarnaise; as well as a seafood ice bar and a decadent dessert display sure to please one’s sweet tooth

> Live music by the Bachelor Boys, a premium five-piece band.


The Hamilton

March 20th – April 16th

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, The Hamilton will be featuring a specialty cocktail, the Washington’s Cherry Temple, made with CîROC vodka, organic tart cherry juice, Leopold’s maraschino liqueur and vanilla simple syrup.


Tredici Enoteca at the St. Gregory Hotel

March 20th – April 16th

Inspired by the cherry blossoms themselves, Tredidici Enotecas’s Evolution is made from a combination of cherry blossom-infused botanical gin, Brut Champagne, fresh citrus, agave nectar and hibiscus dust, garnished with a cherry blossom.


The Rye Bar at Rosewood Washington, D.C.

March 20th – April 16th

Offering two cherry blossom-inspired cocktails and a Japanese whisky flight in honor of this year’s festival, the Rye Bar has concocted the Sakura (which translates to “cherry blossom” in Japanese) made from a combination of gin, green chartreuse, green tea, passion fruit, lime juice, simple syrup and soda water, garnished with a cherry blossom; and the Scidmore (named after American writer, photographer and geographer Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore) made with rum, cherry syrup with cherry herring, yuzu and lime juice, garnished with a cherry blossom. Additionally, The Rye Bar will offer a flight of Japanese whiskies, including three 3oz pours of the Nikka Taketsuru pure malt, Nikka Coffey Grain whisky and the Nikka 17yr pure malt.