Hotel in Downtown Washington, DC Partners With National Cherry Blossom Festival

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Mar 12, 2014) - Spring hasn't officially started in Washington, DC until the National Cherry Blossom Festival is underway. This year's event will once again bring entertainment and educational opportunities to the city, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/Downtown is proud to be an official hotel partner.

From March 20^th through April 13^th, the National Cherry Blossom Festival will take over the city, filling hotels near the Washington, DC convention center with visitors from around the globe. The annual celebration is more than a welcome party for spring; it honors the friendship between the United States and Japan, and recognizes the gift of cherry blossom trees given to the city by the Asian country.

The festival features daily events and programming -- most of which are free, open to the public and minutes from this hotel near Verizon Center -- that highlight natural beauty, community spirit and both traditional and contemporary arts and culture. Highlights from this year's festival include:

* Blossoming Paper, a paper-cutting exhibit featuring the works of Voyo Woo.

* Pink Tie Party, a social fundraiser featuring fashion, games, cuisine, cocktails and a silent auction, all to benefit the nonprofit National Cherry Blossom Festival.

* Japanese Teas, a sensory and educational tasting experience that includes teas, treats and a special Cherry Blossom Blend to take home.

* The Best of Vignettes, a performance by actors in the Masquer Theater Kokoro that features improvisational vignettes from the past decade that include candid poetry, elaborate costumes and symbolic characters.

* Cherry Blast: Art + Music Dance Party, held in a former church that's now a bright art space, which features performance art, cutting-edge DJs and interactive experiences.

* Blossom Kite Festival, showcasing the work of creative kite-makers and the skills of kite-fliers from around the world in various competitions that include a Hot Tricks showdown and Rokkaku Battle. Visitors can bring kites to fly in the Public Field, and activity stations invite kids to create their own.

For more information about the National Cherry Blossom Festival, including a full listing of events, visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/. The website also allows visitors to book their stay at this hotel near the National Mall through the "Book a Hotel" link. Guests can also reserve their stay directly through Marriott.com.

About the Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/Downtown
Located in the heart of Chinatown, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/Downtown offers an unforgettable stay, whether visiting the nation's capital as a tourist or on business. Combining style and comfort with convenience and functionality, this hotel near the Washington, DC metro, just 2 blocks away, puts guests minutes from the city's biggest sights including the Smithsonian Museum, Lincoln Memorial, US Capitol, White House and Washington Monument, plus music, sports and business destinations such as Verizon Center, Judiciary Square and the Washington Convention Center, all within walking distance. Accommodations offer space for living and working. Stay productive with a large desk, complimentary Wi-Fi and coffee/tea maker, and unwind with a 32-inch LCD TV, plush bed with pillow-top mattress and room service. Those in town for longer stays or traveling as a family can get more space in one of nine custom suites, featuring a separate living area with pullout sofa, minifridge and microwave. Breakfast is complimentary each morning, and guests can also enjoy pub fare and cocktails at the Irish Channel restaurant. A full business center and fitness center make the Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/Downtown a top choice with corporate travelers.