"Set the scene Imagine you're in your hotel room, and you're so close to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW that you can hear the chants of protesters streaming down 15th Street. That's a distinct possibility at Hotel Washington, which is located on the same block as the White House lawn and just a short jaunt to the Washington Monument. The grand Beaux-Arts-style hotel's opening stretches back to 1917, and visitors have been looking to cozy up to political power ever since. Today, the lobby has a salon-like feel, with black-and-white tiles and design nods to L'Enfant's plans for the District. The crowd is a mix of business travelers, wedding guests, Smithsonian tourists and happy hour revelers heading to the rooftop to take in what has to be the city's best vista. The backstory During the hotel's more-than-100 year history, plenty of bold-faced names passed through the doors — including Elvis, who stayed for a week. Most recently from 2009 to 2021, the hotel was known as a W property, and became a fixture on the White House Correspondents' Dinner party circuit. Now in 2023, it's returned to its roots with its original name, Hotel Washington, and a subtle rebrand to bring back "quiet luxury" as opposed to the W's flash. The rooms The W underwent a $50 million renovation in 2019, and many of those elements carry over into Hotel Washington's rooms. Cherry blossom graphics cover the oversize headboards of each bed as the focal point in an otherwise minimal space, while suites include floor-to-ceiling graphic murals. The Deluxe King rooms include a nook-like window seat that's perfect for appreciating the view. Food and drink The view of the White House and Washington Monument from VUE Rooftop at sunset is spectacular (and if you manage to snag a table then, expect to be in the background of plenty of selfies). In addition to views of National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson, Arlington Cemetery and Air Force Memorial, you can order a full meal here — or linger over a West Wing Express cocktail with pineapple and Jamaican rum. Downstairs, newly remodeled restaurant Fireclay sends out dishes from an open kitchen equipped with an Argentine-style grill and two wood stone ovens. Don't sleep on the burger here; it's a flame-kissed blend of brisket/bone marrow topped with white sharp cheddar. The neighborhood/area This is as close as it gets to all of D.C.'s most major sightseeing attractions: you can easily walk to the White House, Washington Monuments, Lincoln Memorial and the museums on the National Mall. This part of downtown is more business-focused and can be a bit of a ghost town on the weekend, so if you want to bar hop, you might need to venture a few blocks out towards Chinatown. The service The front desk team is friendly, and partnerships at the pet-friendly hotel include discounts on Alto ride shares. Eco effort A sensor in the Hotel Washington's rooms detects when people are present in order to regulate temperature and electricity usage, the kitchen uses a compost machine to help dispose of food waste, turn down service is only by requests, a battery recycling program is in place, and every light in the hotel is LED. Accessibility Accessible room types include king bedrooms and double bedrooms. Anything left to mention? The elevators in this historic building can be a bit temperamental (i.e. slow)." - Adele Chapin
