The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. Celebrates National Cherry Blossom Festival

  • March 8, 2017
The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. Celebrates National Cherry Blossom Festival
With cherry-themed overnight packages, cuisine, cocktails and amenities inspired by Japanese culture and traditions, paying homage to the thousands of cherry trees that were brought over to Washington, D.C. in 1912 as a sign of friendship from Japan, the Chefs and Mixologists of The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. have been inspired by the history and tradition of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Hotel’s Custom Signature Scent: Sakura – Offered Year Round

Custom made for The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.; the hotel’s signature scent Sakura, meaning cherry blossom in Japanese, is inspired by the ambiance of the hotel and the historic cherry blossoms of Washington, D.C. Built on fresh notes of bergamot and black currant, Sakura’s lush floral notes of cherry blossom, jasmine and lily-of-the-valley are complemented with soft vanilla and white musk. The scent can be found throughout the hotel in the form of candles, oil diffusers, and room sprays and is available for purchase upon request.

BentoBox Dessert – Offered March 14th to April 16th (in-room amenity for package holders)

Indulge in Executive Pastry Chef John Quinn’s BentoBox assortment of Japanese inspired desserts featuring a lychee pate de fruit, a cherry and orange blossom almond cake financier, green tea choux pastry along with milk chocolate and candied ginger and white chocolate brandied cherries.

Sakura Tea – Offered March 14th to April 16th (in-room amenity for package holders)

The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. brings guests a unique and luxurious tea experience in the elegant and private setting of their renewed accommodations. Served in traditional Japanese teapots and teacups, guests can take part in the timeless tradition of afternoon tea with the hotel’s Sakura tea, a custom tea blend inspired by D.C.’s iconic cherry blossom trees and made exclusively for The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. Created with only the finest teas, the Sakura tea blend is built on fresh notes of bergamot and black currant, lush floral notes of cherry blossom, jasmine and lily-of-the-valley and complemented by soft vanilla and white musk.

Quadrant Bar & Lounge Specials

During peak bloom, Quadrant Bar & Lounge will be adorned with Cherry Blossom trees and decorated with stars on the ceiling bringing to life the Japanese tradition of picnicking below the Cherry Blossom trees. Quadrant’s Chef de Cuisine JongJip Yang, a trained sushi master, has crafted two special dishes. The first is a sushi plate of tuna, salmon, shrimp and yellowtail nigiri with a jumbo lump crab 6 piece sushi roll of saffron sushi rice, red tobiko, avocado and cucumber that will be served as a special for two days during peak bloom. The second dish is a hickory smoked ahi tuna tataki that has piquillo pepper coulis, marinated seaweed salad, wasabi tobiko and finished with a yuzu vinaigrette that is served every night of the four week duration.

To complement the food offerings in Quadrant, Lead Mixologist Chris Mendenhall will have on the menu a flight of Japanese whiskeys for guests to taste in addition to the “Driftwood Under the Cherry Tree” cocktail in honor of the occasion. Using the culinary techniques that Chris has uniquely introduced into Quadrant’s bar program, the cocktail features smoked cherries with an in-house syrup of zinfandel, grand marnier and sugar and mixed with Toki Japanese whiskey and plum bitters.

Westend Bistro Specials – Offered March 14th to April 16th

From March 14th to April 16th, Westend Bistro will feature a different special each week over the three week duration for guests to enjoy various inspirations in honor of the Cherry Blossoms Festival. Week one, order the seared foie gras with cherry mustard, thyme and brioche crostini; week two, enjoy a seared rohan duck with a cherry glaze and balsamic jus; week three, try the flourless cake with a sake gelee, lychee mousse and cherries.

Cherry Blossoms Package

Valid March 14th, 2017 to April 16th, 2017

Starting at $409 USD per night

With Club Access starting at $609 USD per night

In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. is offering guests a special overnight package to enjoy the most beautiful season in the Nation’s Capital. Our concierge is also well-prepared to make any arrangements for the city’s many activities in honor of the Cherry Blossoms. This package includes:

  • Overnight accommodations in a renewed premier room or suite

  • In-room Sakura Tea experience served in traditional Japanese teapots and cups.

  • A Cherry and Lychee BentoBox dessert amenity

  • A complimentary cocktail and small plate in Quadrant Bar & Lounge crafted in honor of the National Cherry Blossoms Festival.

  • Complimentary Breakfast

  • Complimentary Valet Parking


For more information or reservations for The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., please call the hotel directly at (202) 835-0500 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/washingtondc.