nba1017

Staying Fri-Sun at the PH in a couple weeks--a couple of quick questions for those of you who have stayed before:

1. I'm staying though the Amex FHR program, as part of a rate that includes a third night free. Is it worth it to use Hyatt points to upgrade to a suite or is it likely that an upgrade to at least a Premium room will come through as part of FHR? I'm booked in an Executive King room currently.

2. I'd rather not pay valet parking for the full weekend. My understanding of the above post is that I can park after 6:30pm on Friday until Monday morning, and need to feed the meter on Friday until 10pm. How is the parking situation around the hotel? I'm from New York City and drive there, so circling a few blocks for twenty minutes is no problem if it means a free spot for a couple days.

3. Any other suggestions for a first time visitor to the PH DC? I've stayed at the PH in Chicago multiple times and consider it to be one of my favorite hotels anywhere.

yosithezet

What is the maximum time you can get in the meter at a single shot? 1 hour? 2 hours? What time in the morning do you need to start the feeding?

hoosiereph

Actually, under the new program, the meters run on Saturdays as well -- just with the 2-hour limit lifted. The city is busy installing new meter options, including credit card meters and "pay-by-phone" meters that will let you park for longer than traditional meters would, but you'll probably want to park somewhere other than on-street on Saturday.

On a recent trip to that area on a Saturday, I found that the garage on 22nd between L and M (about 3 blocks away) had an all-day rate of $6 or $8 on the weekends. That might be your best bet. (22nd St. is one-way northbound).

SanDiego1K

Oh, dear, that's not good news. I loved the Blaise Mautin scent that was specific to that hotel. I wonder why the change?

schriste

From the "Factsheet" for the PHDC there are 84 Park Deluxe rooms (smallest ones) and 113 Premier Park Deluxe rooms.

MikeFromTokyo

Unfortunately you cannot upgrade the FHR rate to a suite using points, since point suite upgrades require payment of the rack rate. If you have Diamond status with Hyatt you can use a Diamond suite upgrade with the FHR rate.

You are entitled to an upgrade (subject to availability) with you FHR booking, so you most likely will get one. I always remind hotels of this benefit at check-in if they don`t mention that I have been upgraded.

nba1017

Much better than $40 a night. Thanks for the tip!

mcavin

Used 5 BWB/FFN nights for a weekend stay for my extended family. Two Saturday night rooms, three Sunday night rooms.

Great experience, great location. Not as nice as the PH Chicago (Chicago is more like an international 5-star, Washington is more like international 4) but still excellent for the location and the price (free!). Walking distance (.75mi) to georgetown restaurants.

All three rooms were automatically upgraded to deluxe rooms (x31 and x09), even for my lowly platinum status. Used 6k points with the BWB/FFN to upgrade a two-night room to a Park Suite, expansive even with a rollaway in the living room on night 2. Used two regency club certificates to get the $28 diamond breakfast credit for 4 people staying both nights. And got a bowl of peaches with the food & bev amenity coupon (funny, they offered EITHER food OR beverage with this amenity - weird).

I had to ask nicely to upgrade the BWB/FFN using points, as well as to recognize the regency certs for diamond bfast, since I don't think they're supposed to do either - but in the end they were very willing to do it.

Several family members stayed through 3pm Monday and used the morning car service. They were very happy with it.

All told, I only paid $89 (two nights parking). Great place to blow the BWB/FFN, points, and those certificates!

DCAMatt

I stayed the night of the 17th of July and the Blaise Mautin products were there. Any news on if this is true. As a guy I like the more masculine smell. I even left the property with a large bottle of room spray and lotion.

peteropny

Back in Feb - the PH Chicago had the same scent. PH DC still had it back in May - this seems to be a very recent change.

c565656

It's true and I confirmed it with the front desk.

schriste

Are you a smoker per chance?

DCAMatt

Never smoked a day in my life... It does have a smoky smell and as a guy I like it. FYI I like wood burning fireplaces, the smell of leaves in the fall, and masculine guys who know how to kiss.

I had a housekeeping issue with my room and they wanted to send me something to apologize. They suggested an apple pie to take home but since they didn't have one sans gluten I told them I would take any Blaise Mautin products they wanted to part with. I ended up with a large bottle of lotion, bath gel, and institutional bottle of room spray. If you miss the smell you can come visit my place in the DC area.

RichardInSF

I've seen this H20+ stuff at the Carmel Hyatt back when it was a PH. It's nice, but even though I am not a huge Blaise Mautin fan, I'd agree that it is not up to the Blaise Mautin level.

RDU4vr

Wonder why they switched. I'm not a guy, but I still really liked the scent of the Blaise Mautin products. What kind of room were you in? That doesn't look like the tile in the Park Deluxe rooms.