Washington, D.C. Hotels and City Guide

Washington - Business Tips

Business Travel Advice

While the federal government is the major focus of Washington DC, the private sector flourishes and have a variety of interests, such as technology, bioscience, international business, professional services, and of course, tourism. In fact, DC has the third-largest regional economy within the United States with a booming gross regional product. By 2005, the amount had reached $246.8 billion. With the government supporting a lot of the smaller businesses through government spending, they have only grown and prospered.

This is much of the reason why Washington DC is such an expensive place not only to live, but to visit as well. Finding a hotel with rates low enough to suit your budget can be difficult. Thanks to the recent boom of discount websites, it is now easier than before to find hotels with lower rates and who are willing to compete with each other in order to bring in the most guests. With the right searching and a bit of patience, you might be able to find a four-star hotel located in the heart of DC and pay as little as $150-$200. The midrange hotels cost anywhere from $120-$300 (location is always a factor), and if you want to run nice and cheap, you can stay at a hostel for about $30 per bed.

Eating in DC is also a small challenge. Upscale restaurants can quickly add up on any credit card, for as much as $80 per person, per day. This is another area of your visit that you should take time to research. There are plenty of local eateries and cheaper, faster eats that can allow you to spend as little as $20 a day. Some might even argue that some of the local fare is just as good – if not better – than what a celebrity chef can cook up.

This isn’t to say that you will go broke during your stay in Washington. In fact, much of what you came to see is completely free of charge. Monuments sit right out in the open, awaiting the click of a camera’s shutter. Museums appreciate donations, but still cost nothing to get in. You could spend the entire day in the Smithsonian, taking in all the sights and knowledge and never spend a single dollar (unless, of course, you get hungry). If you plan your trip around festival dates, you can get even more for out of your traveling dollar. You can be totally entertained day or night and never spend a single cent.

Etiquette

Greeting Someone in Washington

As it is throughout the United States, it is quite common to shake hands with someone when you meet them for the first time. Feel free to call your business contact by his or her first name if the two of you are introduced in that manner. Should you meet an individual within the realms of government (like an ambassador, senator, or representative), you should address them with their title and their last name.

Smoking

Smoking in many places is now banned in DC. The ban extends from workplaces to restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. If you wish to smoke, you must do so outside and away from the premises.

Hotels in Washington, D.C.