Congratulations President Elect Obama!

The promise of hope was intoxicating last night as we elected our 44th President Barack Obama. Watching the joy in the thousands gathered at Grant Park in Chicago matched our own, even if we stayed inside last night. If you too were moved and have thoughts of coming to Washington for the Inauguration in January, you're not alone. A few words of advice, Washington in January is bitterly cold so dress for it, and the hotel prices will be steep and may require minimum stays. Curiously, we searched this morning and could not find a single room available at a half dozen Kimptons, the Willard InterContinental, four Ritz Carltons, the Mandarin Oriental or the Four Seasons. We recommend you contact the hotels directly. Stayed tuned while we look for packages for you.

Below are a few pricey options for the Trump set (courtesy of Destination DC):

From Jan. 17-21, the Mandarin Oriental Washington will present its “Presidential Privilege” package, designed to help couples visit the city in ultimate style. The package includes a five-day, four-night stay in the hotel’s luxurious 8,000 sq.-ft. Presidential Suite with daily breakfast in the suite; designer outfits for inaugural events from Ralph Lauren; a chauffeur-driven Maserati Quattroporte; an exclusive dinner for eight guests at Mandarin Oriental’s signature restaurant CityZen, prepared by James Beard Award-winning Chef Eric Ziebold; and daily spa treatments, priced at $200,900.

The Fairmont Washington, D.C. Hotel mixes in a little bit of "green" with its red, white and blue with its Eco-Inaugural Package, which includes a four-night stay for two in the hotel's two-bedroom Lexus Hybrid Living Suite, which is designed and furnished with organic materials and rapidly renewable resources. The package also includes a custom ball gown from organic designer Linda Loudermilk, organic spa treatments for pre-festivites pampering and a Lexus LS 600h L hybrid vehicle and driver. The guests will also enjoy an organic in-suite midnight supper with eight of their "constituents." The package is priced at $40,000 and is available Jan. 18-21.

Our favorite: Not to be outdone, Kimpton Hotels in the Washington, DC area has announced its special Kimpton Inaugural Package. The Ba "Rock" Star treatment: includes in-room hair styling services; in-room makeup application for the inaugural ball; in-room manicure and pedicure, utilizing Kerstin Florian products; a gourmet platter of snacks to fuel up on before heading out for the night; choice of a 50-minute Calm Mind Massage to de-stress or Aroma Journey Massage to liven the senses; and a gift of therapeutic Detox Mineral Bath Salts. The package can be purchased for $655 as a side package for any guestroom or services can be ordered a la carte through the concierge. The package is based on availability and will be available from Jan 17, 2009 to Jan 21, 2009. It will be available at the Hotel George, Topaz Hotel, Hotel Madera, Hotel Palomar Washington, DC, and the Hotel Monaco Washington, DC.