Obamas Pay $19K a Night to Live in Posh Hotel

Posted Jan 6th 2009 at 10:03AM by Kyle Hepp (Subscribe to Kyle Hepp's posts)

How much is too much? That's the question that should be asked by tax payers right now as the Obama family settles in at the fancy schmancy Hay-Adams hotel for about a whopping $19,000 dollars a night. Taxpayers and Barack will split the cost.

While president elects do not normally take up residence in Washington D.C. so early, Barack was insistent that his little girls, Malia and Sasha didn't miss their first day at their new school (where tuition costs a little less than $30,000 a year per child).

Nothing but the Best for Barack Obama

(click thumbnails to view gallery)

We're all for Mr. President living comfortably, and we understand that the White House was booked with Bush's friends and family, but we just don't think that we, the public, struggling through this recession, should foot the bill for a hotel better suited for celebrities than politicians.

Tags: 000, 19, barack obama, BarackObama, expensive, expire-images2010-1-5, hay adams, hotel, tax payers

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Michelle 1-06-2009 @ 12:42PM

I'm all for tax-saving/ cost-effective options... but really?! Besides the obvious fact that as the president-elect, he is entitled to a comfortable place of resident suitable to his status, but he also has a team of assistants, advisers and a huge security detail that must be accommodated as well. I'm unsure how Motel 6 or Holiday Inn will cater to those needs. The White House is perhaps, one of the most luxurious places in the world... perhaps you would like him to slum it for two weeks at a small motel before he takes residence there?

Carrie 2-20-2009 @ 9:35AM

Yes, we as tax payers do expect him to lower his standards as should all politicians! We have had to adjust our budgets because of the shape our country is in, shouldn't he be setting the example?

Kyle 1-06-2009 @ 12:43PM

Michelle, no need to slum it, but I definitely think 19k a night is beyond excessive, especially right now with the economy as it is, and our nation's budget deficit continuing to spiral out of control. I never suggested that Motel 6 was an option, but surely there are some excellent 5k or even 10k a night hotels in the D.C. area?

Richard Lloyd 1-06-2009 @ 1:58PM

WOW but so long as the president elect is paying for this out of his family's funds and wow. And the laws havent changed about how politicians spend their "war chests" all I can say is book sales must be good. but how the Obamas spend their money is not my business. But I am curioua as to whom is staying in the White house huest reisdence that could not or would not vacate to allow for the president lelect taking up residence.