Obama Washington Arrival Sunday; Family Landed Saturday Night

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama and her two daughters arrived Saturday in Washington, ahead of President-elect Barack Obama who was expected to make the trip the next day.

The Obamas arrived at their temporary home at the Hay-Adams Hotel, near the White House, on Saturday evening. Aides confirmed their arrival only after the Obamas checked into the hotel and declined to release any details. They had no public schedule.

The Obamas moved early so their daughters _ 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia _ could start classes on Monday at the private Sidwell Friends School, an aide said. Other children of well-known politicians to attend the school include Al Gore III and Chelsea Clinton.

The Obamas are staying at the storied Hay-Adams because Blair House, the government's official guest residence, was booked solidly through Jan. 15, the Bush administration said. Blair House is located across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House and has previously housed presidents-elect before taking the oath of office. The Obamas will relocate there on Jan. 15 and stay until the inauguration on Jan. 20.

The Obamas returned to Chicago early Friday morning after a 12-day family vacation at a $9 million rental home in his native Hawaii. A day later, Michelle Obama and her daughters flew into the Washington area to take over their suite at the historic Hay-Adams.

The scene outside the hotel was quiet Saturday night, except for two news vans with accompanying crews hoping to get a shot of Michelle Obama and her daughters going in and out.

Security will intensify for Barack Obama's arrival on Sunday. The district's government is shutting down several streets near the hotel to traffic and there will be no street parking nearby from 1 a.m. Sunday morning until midnight on Jan. 15, according to its Web site.

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.

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.

___

Philip Elliott reported from Chicago.

Comments

[theone718]

Having a Pres stay at your hotel is what I like to call 'GOOD BUSINESS". I would have let him stay for free if he guranteed me several pictures of him in one of our lavish rooms, eating our food, or whatever else.$$$$

[DaisyDooks]

Right. Can you say CHA-ching? Sounds like good advertising to me.

[Midnightrain]

Gives them a chance to cover that slight they made by not making the necessary accommodations he requested from the outset.

Word is Republican House members had reserved the room (more like a mini house) first.

[learnsomething]

cha-ching is right!....lol

[iblog]

You know you're right.

Historic really.

If a presidential candidate has said that he's not part of inside Washington. What better way to record the beginning of his tenure.

I miss Life magazine.

[takeyourballandgohome]

So with Blair House 'booked' for "more important guests" of Bushes...let's see the guest log for the Bush years at Camp David. That entire family is nothing but leaches and b/c all they all have ever done is "public trough" they really believe they are worthy.

Obama too much of a gentleman to make a fuss!

[harriscrl3]

Exactly and when they keep describing the hotel as being plush it VALIDIATES what Bush did. It's tacky and classless and embarassing. Probably cost tax payers more money too. Obama may pay for his and family's hotel room but I doubt he pays for the Secret Service. Im guessing tax payers foot that bill and RIGHTLY SO.

Carol

[lisaintexas]

The hotel is convenient. And as much as I like Marriott Courtyard's I don't think that type of hotel would work for the Obama family and the whole team of Secret Service, etc. No suites and tough to do the security detail - way too many entrances and exits. Don't think there's one across the street from the White House either. My understanding is that the Obama's are paying for their own hotel stay although the Secret Service guys' tab will of course be paid for by the taxpayer. I can imagine it is a pain in the neck to move into a hotel for a couple of weeks then into Blair House (at that point the Obama's don't have to pick up their own tab) and then to the White House. It is funny (agree with Carol) that 'plush' keeps being put out there. The Hays-Adams is a wonderful hotel and I don't know why it's a problem for the President-elect and his family to stay there. I sense a bit of 'those are suitable digs for Republicans, but not Democrats.' Also the whole fuss about the school thing. Even if the local public schools are just great, it would be impossible for the children of the President of the United States to go there. Security and privacy are critical issues.

[zbig]

Vouchers have zapped resources from poorer schools leading to the horrible, unsafe schools you mentioned--all thanks to Conservatives.

[learnsomething]

It is shame how nasty and petty Laura Bush is for booking Blair House up until January 15. No compassion for the Obama children who have to start school. It's just nasty and underhanded.

[chicagoike]

A little common sense should have told the Bush that Obama with 2 young kids would need to put them in school early. I guess the bunch of drunks partying in Blair House is more important.

Where is the media on this, why don't we know who is so important that they just had to have Blair House and deny the Obamas.

[DaisyDooks]

Good point. I'd like to know, too. What is the hush-hush about Blair House residents? Who the He!! are they?

[kellygrrrl]

common sense? when have the bushies ever displayed an ounce of common sense?

[lab221]

Bush does not have any common sense, so please forgive him for being so stupid. LOL

[Salonika]

I totally agree with you.

[vote-obama]

on behalf of intelligent people everywhere i say welcome mr president.

[karma13612]

Good to hear they are going to close off the neighboring streets to traffic and parking. Sounds like a nice place!

Welcome back to the Obamas. I hope your next 4 (or 8 hopefully) years are safe as you experience Washington DC and it's surrounds.

[FeO2E]

let him just take over the presidency !! bush is not a lame duck, he's just ducking all responsibility ... it's time to bring intelligence back to the white house ... iraq wasn't a failure of intelligence, the last 8 years of the bush administration was

[jackpinesavage]

Super, and still no comment on Gaza. Enjoy the Fiji bottled water, Mr. almost President. Luxuriate in the microfiber bathrobes and hypoallergenic pillows...you deserve it.

[TheHankMan]

Forget Gaza...I wanna know what kind of puppy he's thinking of getting

[brokenarrow]

Hanktheyank trolling since jan '09

[learnsomething]

All that bitter poison inside of you, will do you in some day.

[VPN]

He isn't President YET, there can only be ONE President, he can not be making statements about International issues UNTIL he becomes President . You should be looking to Mr still on vacation Booo$h for comments.

[iblog]

I'm sure he passed on your breakfast of Flakes with Raw Jealousy.

[VOTER]

Apparently Trolls need to read the United States Constitution for Dummies Book
before they can understand the difference between a President-Elect and a President?
Poor things will never understand what is happening on January 20th, 2009.

[dee544]

Bless their little hearts!

[vjoseph]

ROFL

[harriscrl3]

I dont care how they try to plush it up with their description. Its still a hotel room and these two little girls are starting school from a HOTEL ROOM.

Carol

[FeO2E]

just like a military PCS move ... big f*ckin' deal

[dct1999]

Why do you insist on denying reality? The Obama kids will not suffer because they will temporarily inhabit luxury hotel suites. Seriously, stop the nonsense.

[harriscrl3]

Give me a break dont tell me what to do I do what I want just like you do what you want. The kids are adjusting to being uprooted from their home put in the spotlight going to a new school and they are starting school from a hotel room. I will say it as many times as I feel like its an INSULT. As Obama said he was getting really tired of staying in hotel rooms. Of course it bothers him he just has too much class and unfortunately our outgoing president has NONE.

So I will keep saying it the more they keep making it sound plush. If you have a problem with that its your problem not mine.

Carol

[Midnightrain]

I know, I spent the majority of my pre-adolescence in them. The experience was quite lovely, not to mention memorable ;)

[MNmommy]

Here, lemme get out my teeny tiny violin.

[learnsomething]

The Bush's have no class at all. It is their last show of classlessness to tie Blair House up, until the bitter end. Laura Bush is in charge of Blair House, so this last act of classless selfishness shows what her character is really like.

[TheHankMan]

The Obama kids will be sitting in class with the kids of the rich, white DC liberals..

...meanwhile...the poor black DC have to suffer through the horrible, unsafe schools run by the liberals because liberals, including Obama, are against vouchers

[robXdion]

Stop acting like you actually care about poor black DC kids and go educate those in the backwoods still thinking you can see Russia from Palin's house and there were WMD's in Iraq.

[DaisyDooks]

Good one, Rob. It shows a lot of people don't have common sense or analytical ability. They are so silly and emotionally gullible.

You make excellent points.

[vivaldi265]

Hey Hankyman,
I guess Obama in his short career as a U.S. Senator is responsible for all those failing and down-trodden D.C. schools and as a result should be forced to subject his children to their tender mercies, huh? Sounds like you have it just about right.

[dct1999]

The Obamas will be attending the type of school that is appropriate for the children of the POTUS. What parents with the educational and income levels of the Obamas would send their kids to DC public schools?

[mydoglucky]

not one, trust me, not one. DC schools are a mess and literally falling down

[canadiansoccermom]

Where would you expect them to go?
Anywhere else would be unrealistic and unsafe. He and his family are probabably under the most threat of any of the past presidents.

[NeoLiberal]

Can't have it both ways, HankMan---besides, BHO is not responsible for the administration of the DC school system. If it needs change, send them your comments to their school board.

Oh, by the way, DC has been dominated by rightwingers for the last 8 years+, so your "white DC liberals' comment is a tad inaccurate...

First you're FOR people spending their school monies where they want to (vouchers or private), but then you chide those who want to spend their own money....Confusing...

[mariefla]

Don't you get it. The Obama girls are black and thus should only attend public schools. They cannot possibly attend private schools like the other presidents' children.