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County Seeks Renewal of Hotel Tax Surcharge

Published December 2, 2010 at 9:45AM | Updated December 2, 2010 at 10:28AM

Arlington funds its Convention and Visitors Service through a 0.25 percent surcharge on the standard 5 percent hotel tax. Each year, the county collects $21 million in hotel taxes, or about $5,000 per room, the highest rate in Virginia. Suffice to say that given the hoards of tourists who stay at hotels in Arlington as a cheaper alternative to the District, the surcharge isn’t much of a hindrance.

But the extra quarter of a percentage point, despite having the support of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the local hotel industry, may be a tough sell in Richmond.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 24, 2010 at 7:27AM

Passenger Protests, Midwest Weather Could Cause Airport Delays — Flying out of Dulles or Reagan National Airport today could be a challenge. On the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday, thousands of passengers are planning a nationwide, grassroots revolt against the TSA’s use of full-body scanners. Instead of going through the machines, they will protest by insisting on a time-consuming pat-down. That, combined with a storm system in the upper Midwest could cause delays. So far, however, flights at DCA and IAD are on time. More from the Washington Post.

Crystal City Renaissance Hotel To Open in March — A new LEED-certified Renaissance Hotel is coming to the quickly-developing area south of Crystal City and north of Potomac Yard. The hotel, located at 2800 South Potomac Avenue, is expected to open in March 2011. Rooms will initially start at $299 per night, according to HotelChatter.com.

Around Town

Committee to Discuss Proposed Ballston Hotel Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Published October 4, 2010 at 10:54AM | Updated October 4, 2010 at 11:15AM

In due time, the big hole in the ground next to Ballston Common Mall will be filled with development and the view from the soon-to-open Rustico will be even less rustic.

Founders Square, located across Wilson Boulevard from the Liberty Center development (also owned by the Shooshan Company), will consist of two high-rise office buildings, one high-rise residential building, a large hotel, and a smaller building reserved for retailers.

News

Police Investigate Sexual Assault and Robbery at Hotel

By ARLnow.com

Published August 18, 2010 at 4:11PM | Updated August 19, 2010 at 2:15AM

A late-night knock on the door led to a robbery and sexual assault in a south Arlington hotel room, according to information released by police today.

On Saturday night, investigators say a man knocked on the door of a hotel room at the Best Western (2480 South Glebe Road). When one of the two women who were inside the room at the time opened the door, the man forced his way in. He sexually assaulted one of the women then made off with electronics and money, according to a police statement.

Around Town

Crystal City Hyatt Closes for Renovations

By ARLnow.com

Published August 9, 2010 at 2:41PM

It’s not very often that a hotel completely closes its doors, especially during the summer tourist season, but the Hyatt in Crystal City has done just that to allow for major renovations to the front of the hotel.

A reconstruction of the front entrance, the hotel lobby, and the parking garage entrance is underway. For major construction, it’s taking place at a speedy pace — the hotel is scheduled to reopen on Friday, we’re told.

News

Man With Gun Walks Into Crystal City Hotel Lobby

By ARLnow.com

Published May 18, 2010 at 3:57AM

After a short time the suspect left the building and headed south on Eads Street. No one was hurt.

When police arrived, however, they believed the man may have still been in the hotel. In a tense scene, officers surrounded the front of the building with shotguns and handguns drawn.