WASHINGTON, DC -- (Marketwire) -- 11/08/12 -- Since 1995, college basketball has hosted the annual BB&T Classic Basketball Tournament in Washington, DC. Held at the Verizon Center, near this newly renovated Penn Quarter hotel in Washington, DC, this year's tournament will tip off on December 2, 2012.

First organized by former US ambassador Peter Teeley and a group of Washington-area business and professional leaders, the tournament isn't just for entertainment; it raises funds for the Children's Charities Foundation, a fund-raising organization that financially supports charities near these downtown Washington, DC hotel accommodations.

The lineup for this year's festival, near this Verizon Center hotel, showcases the teams of long-time host universities, University of Maryland and George Washington University, in addition to CAA George Mason and MAAC Manhattan College. Tickets to this doubleheader start at low as $25, and a gala on the night before, a BasketBALL, will host coaches, players, community leaders and other sports figures at a black-tie event. For more information on the BB&T Classic Basketball Tournament, visit www.ccfdc.org/bbandt-classic.

The tournament is a great addition to a Washington, DC family getaway, which can also include visits to the National Mall and its many museums and monuments, Chinatown, the Spy Museum, the White House and Capitol Hill. Eclectic neighborhoods, with boutiques, restaurants, shops and bars, are within walking distance, but if you want to stay closer to home, you'll find five different dining options on site including Starbucks, Liberty Market for grab-and-go items, drinks at miXX and a full-service American bistro at Fifteen Squares Restaurant.

About the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel
Located in the heart of the nation's capital, the newly renovated Renaissance Downtown Washington, DC Hotel is the ideal place to call home in the city, whether you're here for business or fun. This luxury hotel, directly across from the Washington Convention Center, offers generous amenities, stylish accommodations and convenience, making it a top choice for visitors to the Penn Quarter District. Guestrooms and suites are filled with natural light and offer beautiful city views, high-speed wireless Internet access, a spacious desk, soundproof windows, TV with premium cable channels, coffee/tea service and a bedding package that includes crisp linens and a deluxe mattress. PURE® allergy-friendly rooms are available for those with sensitivities, while club-level accommodations offer upgraded amenities, enhanced services and lounge access with continental breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres and all-day beverages. You can stay on track with your workout routine at the fitness center and then treat yourself to a massage or facial at the Aura Spa. This boutique hotel's 64,000 sq. ft. of event space is ideal for meetings or celebrations, while five in-house dining venues can stand in for intimate meetings or just casual meals. Grab a gourmet coffee at Starbucks, to-go snacks and sandwiches at Liberty Market and a drink at miXX, or sit down for a full meal at the American bistro Fifteen Squares Restaurant. If sightseeing is at the top of your agenda, you're just blocks from the city's top attractions including Chinatown, the National Mall monuments and museums, the Spy Museum and big-ticket events at the Verizon Center.

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