The Obamas will arrive in Washington this weekend but they have been forced to book into a regular hotel after the Bush Administration said the official residence was full.

Presidents-elect traditionally prepare for their inauguration while staying in Blair House, a government mansion near the White House, but Barack Obama was told to look elsewhere because the building was booked up for farewell parties and events to mark the end of the current administration.

The enormous security detail which follows the Obamas’ every move would not reveal the identity of the hotel, but a blog on the New York Times website claims that the family will stay at the Hay Adams Hotel.

The best rooms in the five star hotel have a view of the White House so Mr Obama should not feel too far from home.

The President-elect is moving to the capital earlier than most of his predecessors so that his girls can be in their new hometown in time for the start of the school term. Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, will attend the Sidwell Friends School, an exclusive private school founded in 1883.

Mr Obama asked if he could move into Blair House early but was told he can only move in on January 15, the date it is traditionally available to Presidents-elect. A White House official would say only that it had been booked for “receptions and gatherings” by members of the departing Bush administration. Those receptions, the official said, “don’t make it suitable for full-time occupancy by the Obamas yet”.

The future first family need far more than three beds to accommodate them - their current security arrangements in Chicago mean several blocks are cordoned off and their neighbours have to prove their identity to convince the secret service that they may return to their homes.

The Obama family remained in the Hyde Park area of Chicago even while Barack was serving in the Senate in Washington. He was quick to return to Illinois between Congressional sessions and showed little appetite for Capitol Hill outside of his official engagements.

After the Obamas' holiday in Hawaii ends tomorrow, President Bush has invited Mr Obama and all of the past presidents to a lunch at the White House next Wednesday.

The coming week will mark the next phase in the transition to power, as the President-elect holds a series of meetings on the economic package he hopes to sign soon after his inauguration.

A fortnight after he has really moved to Washington, Mr Obama will undertake a symbolic train journey to the city from Philadelphia recreating part of Abraham Lincoln’s journey to the capital to assume the presidency.

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