Hay-Adams Hotel: Obamas' New Home

WASHINGTON — Weighty issues like the presidential inauguration and the economic stimulus package are pending, but the first order of business for President-elect Barack Obama's family is to get settled in Washington quickly to prepare for the start of school for his two daughters.

The family will settle into an exclusive hotel near the White House as their temporary home when they move to the capital this weekend.

Daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, begin classes Monday at the private Sidwell Friends School. The Obamas asked about Blair House, the government official guest residence across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, where presidents-elect sometimes stay before taking the oath of office.

But it's unavailable, booked solidly through Jan. 15, the Bush administration said. Obama's inauguration is Jan. 20.

So after Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters wrap up an extended family vacation at a $9 million rental home in his native Hawaii on Thursday, they will trade their house in Chicago for a suite at the historic Hay-Adams hotel.

Opened in 1928, the hotel sits across Lafayette Square from the White House, Obama's eventual work place and home. Its name comes from two historical figures who lived on the site: John Hay, the private assistant to President Abraham Lincoln and later secretary of state, and Henry Adams, an author and descendant of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams.

The Hay-Adams has 145 rooms and suites, featuring marble bathrooms, intricately carved plaster ceilings and ornamental fireplaces and balconies _ with views of the White House, Lafayette Square and St. John's Church _ in certain rooms.

Room amenities include custom Italian bed linens and towels, goose down duvets and pillows (hypoallergenic pillows are available; Malia has allergies), plush microfiber bathrobes and slippers for adults and kids, Bose CD music systems with assorted CDs, exclusive Etro toiletries, complimentary Fiji bottled water and a nightly turndown service.

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After throwing open its doors, the hotel quickly attracted prominent Washingtonians and other elites, including aviators Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, author Sinclair Lewis and actress Ethel Barrymore. Its restaurant is a top destination for "power dining" and is a regular meeting place for White House officials.

Obama largely has avoided setting foot in Washington since winning the election on Nov. 4. He has spent most of his time during the transition in his Chicago hometown, and has been on holiday in Hawaii since Dec. 20.

His last appearance in Washington was Nov. 10, when he met at the White House with President George W. Bush.

The first day at a new school for Obama's daughters isn't the only Washington agenda item this week.

Tuesday brings the swearing-in of a new Congress, one with bigger Democratic majorities that Obama hopes will help to swiftly pass the economic recovery package he wants to sign soon after taking office.

And on Wednesday, Bush has scheduled a White House lunch for Obama and the former presidents.

___

Associated Press writer Eileen Sullivan contributed to this report.

Visit the Hay-Adams Hotel website.

Comments

[CUL8R]

On a positive note, there will be a few extra days to get all of the cooties out of Blair House before the Obamas get there!

[ymuttley]

Maybe Bush has family staying there, but doesn't want to say. It will come out anyway,this has been put out there,now someone will be staking it out to see just who is staying there.I personally can't wait to see who it is Imagine the flack they might get lol. I'm still trying to figure out if the shoe deal down in Fla was.a diss on Bush or that a truck just spilled them.

[VOTER]

So who will be staying at Blair House?
These Bush Guests should expect to see their photos
and biographies in the press.

My guess:
George's and Laura's Accountants.
It is not easy counting war profits in Euros.

[GAPeach99]

Document shredding parties. They weren't going to be able to get all the machines moved out before Jan 15. You know, logistics and such!

[docbets]

The Bush family went on and on eight years ago about how they were going to bring some class back to the White House -- presumably because those hillrods from Arkansas were such primitives. Of course, having money is not equivalent to having class, and the Bush family has class in inverse proportion to the amount of money they have.
Now, we are becoming aware of the exceptional character of the Obama family and the contrast is significant.
Obama gave everyone a gift by asking to move into the Blair House "early," because he must have figured it was likely he would be refused. His request was another demonstration of his humility and plain spokenness (and lack of gameplaying) and it further highlighted Bush's mean spiritedness.
I like it.
What I don't like is that the children are starting a new school and that is very hard along with their wrenching move from familiar places and friends and school. If I were the president I would have offered them the Blair House and anticipated the grils' needs. That would be a classy thing to do.
It's the meanness the Bushes are known for and that we can't have away from us too soon.

[lykitis]

Amen. Money cannot buy class and bush just showed a complete lack of class thru this housing incident.

[wembakoy]

Now is the time to build the country. Put aside your political affiliation for the interest of this great nation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a08L8fcNZLk

[pokemon]

If it booked up then it is booked. Tradition says the 15th, so its the 15th. WHO CARES? Obama will be in office soon and thats all that matters.

[savertime]

Yes, tradition is tradition. Still, I can't stop being curious about the Blair House guests that are booked until the 15th, and I'm shocked that the media hasn't found out. The Bushes are obviously above and beyond embarrassment, soooo why not share the names of those bumping the president-elect!

[AnalyzeIT]

Thank you I agree.

[JasonBello]

Your argument is correct but this is a more appropriate response to Pokemon. Blair House is public funded (tax dollars) so we the people has a right to kn ow who is staying there bumping the PE - BHO.

[Melissa]

This is such a silly argument. Who Cares? There is so much more going on and people are worried about where he is going to stay for a couple of weeks.

[Hare]

Seriously people, that excuse of having the place unavailable is just too much even for Bush. These monsters indeed have no class whatsoever. Party all you want Bush and then get lost for the rest of your puny days. Oh and may a tormado come your way and ruin your party. My departing wishes

[yasmeen]

obama is not expected at the blair until jan 15th as tradition dictates. so the blair allowed themselves to be fully booked till then. the obamas should've reserved for an earlier date, but who can blame them for overlooking it? it's just an 11 day stay at the hay adams, no biggie, though it will cost them. i just don't think obama should be lunching with bush wednesday. hire a food taster and sit away from bill clinton...­........hi­llary is 5th in line to the throne as sec of state.

[Emlyn]

I'm curious, who is booked at the Blair House? From what I heard, nobody seems to know. Maybe that's where Bush keeps his shoes?

[pokemon]

They do not live together anymore.

[PepperDC]

From what I've read over the last couple of weeks, no one is staying in Blair House. The bushes are using Blair House for departure receptions. I don't understand why the bushes could not use other venues i.e, Corcoran or Constitution Hall, for their departure receptions.

[rock2casbah]

Actually you were lied to about a "tradition" as usual. Most of the past Presidents have moved into Blair house as far backa s one month in advance. That is even those without young children to get in school. Which was a known case to Bush and his staff for over 2 years now. So the Bush's are going out the door as much despised as could be possible.

[Kiabell04]

And to think, back when this hotel opened, I doubt you would have seen an African-American family being allowed access to the hotel.

[BabsfromKansas]

maybe as kitchen help!

[Highwind]

Uh, okay. Thanks for letting us know. 0_O

[AnalyzeIT]

The ones that are posing a problem for a smooth transition will not be forgotten. We have special prayers for them and other connected with them.

Focus on "The Force".

[hortonhearsawho2]

children of corn speak out...

[Misante]

Yeah its not like the Bushies didn't know the newly elected President would need to move into the Blair House sometime in January. Why in the world didn't they black out the end of December through the 20th of January???? This smells real bad. Real bad.

[Emlyn]

It stinks.

[onwatch]

I am sure that John Hay and Henry Adams are thrilled that Obama is staying at their place in Wasington.

[MissElaineous]

I'd not want to move into Blair House or the White House until the exterminators got rid of all of the cooties.

[dTastic]

I wanna know who is staying at Blair House and why they can't shove off and get a room at the inn. If I were staying at Blair House this week, I'd vacate in favor of the Obamas. This seems almost insanely rude and a breach of every sort of etiquette. Where is Miss Manners?

[harriscrl3]

Nobody is staying there from what I hear they are entertaining Bush's people on the 15th. They could have change their plans and let the Obama's move in.

I just heard that the left is upset at Obama for staying at the Hay Adams. WTF. where is he suppose to stay at Motel 6. Sometimes these folks just get on my nerves.

Carol

[moda31]

apparently they are hosting a bunch of staff receptions on the first floor, according to them this means they couldn't find room for the obama family somewhere in the other 50,000+ sq feet of space at blair house.

[rock2casbah]

Isn''t there something like 115 rooms at Blair House? They couldn't host their party elsewhere? This is bull supreme.

[CindyKay]

Rove is Secretly staying at Blair House !

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

Miss Manners imploded trying to teach Huff posters manners.

[VOTER]

Wrong. She is still working on Rush, Hannity, Palin and
Republican noisemakers.