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The biggest hotel at the new National Harbor will be checking in its first guests on April 1st, which means workers are scrambling to get the Gaylord National Resort ready for opening night.
"We've pre-booked more than 1.3 million room nights," said public relations manager Amie Gorrell.
Most of those rooms are reserved for convention guests which is the primary focus of the resort's business. Company leaders hope locals will also come out to stay and enjoy a vacation close to home.
There are 2,000 guest rooms and more than 100 suites. Anyone may walk in to seven restaurants, including a sports bar with a 30 foot high-definition screen. The resort also features a large spa.
"It's 20,000 square feet and we have 12 treatment rooms and a spectacular couples suite that overlooks the Potomac River," said spa director Nelly Guerrero.
Resort officials know they have a big challenge to overcome including a Prince George's County location, not known for tourism. Regardless, most county resident can't wait to meet their new neighbor.
"I would go by every now and then or spend some weekend time with the kids, explore the area in which we all live in," said Oxon Hill resident Michael Kelly.
Another Oxon Hill resident Caudine Brown said, "I love it! I think it will be good for the community, open up jobs for people around here."
The resort is hiring about 2,000 people mostly from the local area. They are still looking for about 200 people to bring on board and will be holding a job fair next week.
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