The Swankiest Hotels in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. has plenty of beautiful luxury hotels, but a few stand out for their downright opulence—from crystal chandeliers to gilded trim to presidential suites to impeccable, white-glove service. One even offers an evening champagne sabering in its lobby. What’s that, you say? Read on!
Rosewood Washington DC
Why it made the list
From the exquisite parquet floors (reclaimed from a French chateau) to locally inspired contemporary art to the sumptuous private library for guest-use only, this hidden-gem boutique on Georgetown’s C&O Canal is the epitome of modern posh. It’s the only hotel in DC with an infinite pool … on the roof; and the hotel restaurant and bar are super swish with their regal décor and huge picture windows looking out on the canal.
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Why it made the list
Incorporating an old incinerator into its design, the smallest of DC’s Ritz hotels might sound like a luxury miss. But by mixing the industrial feel with a modern sensibility and upscale taste, the designers masterfully achieved the feel of a sumptuous boutique hotel in a very unique way. And every last detail is meticulously curated, down to the gallery-plucked artwork in the fire-focused Living Room lobby, spa level rooms with Vitamin C aromatherapy showerheads, and top-notch service from check-in to check-out.
The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection
Why it made the list
The grand marble lobby, a block long with chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, dazzles the second you enter this national landmark. Host to inaugurations since opening in 1925, it’s classic DC, with more inlaid gold than any other DC building outside the Library of Congress. Need we say more?
Willard InterContinental
Why it made the list
The crown jewel of Pennsylvania Avenue, just a block from the White House, this grandiose, opulent, Beaux-Arts Hotel has sat in the middle of the city’s political and social scene since 1818. The epitome of historical elegance, with its ornate sculptural decorations, golden chandeliers, and gilded details, along with its top-notch service, has long drawn celebrities and international dignitaries.
The Hay-Adams
Why it made the list
This romantic, Italian Renaissance grande dame near the White House is often rated as one of the world’s finest hotels. Indeed, it has welcomed presidents and other distinguished guests since 1928, including Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, and Sinclair Lewis. As stately as it is, with its grand columns, period ceiling details, and rich woodwork, it feels like a distinguished private mansion—one with top-notch service.
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