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Morning News

Ritz-Carlton Offers Extravagant Inaugural Weekend

Aired January 12, 2001 - 11:26 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Just eight days to go to what promises to be a Texas-styled and Texas-sized presidential inauguration. In Washington, a huge pre-inaugural bash. It's dubbed the Texas Black Tie & Boots Ball. It has been sold out for weeks. Now, this is what it is. A pair of tickets has been auctioned on eBay for more than $3,600.

On hand to feed the guests: 6,000 pounds of smoked ham, 60,000 jumbo shrimp. And Lyle Lovett will be there to entertain, along with Tanya Tucker, Clint Black and the Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel. We should mention, there's a lot of stuff to do at the inauguration that's absolutely free and open on the public. But if you're really looking to the inauguration thing in style, the Ritz- Carlton in Washington has just the package for you.

It is a four-night stay with all the trimmings. And it's only $150,000 for the weekend. Here to tell us all about that is James McBride, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton in Washington.

James, good morning. Thanks for joining us.

JAMES MCBRIDE, THE RITZ-CARLTON: Good morning. Thank you. We start on the...

KAGAN: Yes, for $150,000, I would kind of like to see what we are going to get for that.

MCBRIDE: Absolutely. We are in the foyer of this beautiful 3,000-square-foot suite. On the right, we've got the dining room that can seat 12, second bedroom next door, kitchen on the lefthand side that can prepare a meal fit for a king or a future president. Continuing on through the suite, we have a beautiful lounge with a wood-burning fireplace, wonderful antiques and artifacts. So...

KAGAN: Who is that in our suite?

(LAUGHTER)

MCBRIDE: We also are very, very dog friendly. So we can see any little that dog is up to 20 pounds is invited. We also have provide Louis Vuitton luggage that goes hand in hand with that, which will include a dog carrier for the dog, as well as a full set of luggage.

KAGAN: A Louis Vuitton... MCBRIDE: We'll pick you up at home in a private jet, bring you to Washington, with your butler pack for you, unpack for you, have a beautiful party with free flow Crystal champagne, as well as beluga caviar, send you a Hermes tie four years, as well as, whoever it may be, a scarf for four years, every month for four years until the next inauguration.

KAGAN: Oh, really?

MCBRIDE: So that creates a little bit of excitement for us to -- for the people to look forward to for the next four years until the next inauguration. Continuing on...

KAGAN: James -- James -- before you go, hold on one second.

MCBRIDE: As we lead through the bedroom.

(CROSSTALK)

MCBRIDE: A little piece of the Louis Vuitton dog luggage, the Hermes scarves and ties, the rest of the luggage. And as we go on through to the bathroom, we have a bathroom that has a view over the city -- huge balcony, if it was a little bit warmer, but just beautifully appointed bathroom.

KAGAN: Where's the view of the city?

MCBRIDE: Keep the drapes closed so that nobody can see you.

KAGAN: Oh, well, can you show us the view?

MCBRIDE: Open up the drapes and you are looking over the Monument and Washington. So I think someone is in for a very exciting time in this beautiful suite...

KAGAN: Yes.

MCBRIDE: ... at the new Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C.

KAGAN: James, can you hear us? Very good. I don't know. James, can you hear us? He can't hear us. OK. We are going to work on that. We are going to take a little break. We'll get a little more details on what you get for $150,000 for the weekend. And, also the butler: What does the butler do for you? All of that just ahead.

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