Why book?
This luxury hotel's historic architecture is as grand as the nearby museums, monuments, and memorials you came to DC to see—combined with Waldorf Astoria's exacting standards for hospitality.
Set the scene:
The Waldorf Astoria Washington DC looks like a castle rising on Pennsylvania Avenue, taking up what seems like an entire block on one of the world's most powerful corridors. The interior of what was once the Old Post Office Building is equally stunning: a nine-story atrium acts as the hotel's lobby and main restaurant and bar, dubbed Peacock Alley. Within the soaring space, preserved original details like arching metal truss-work are juxtaposed with new additions like oversized chandeliers and velvet couches. Take a seat, and you'll see a crowd that includes business travelers in suits and ties, families with elementary schoolers setting out for the National Mall, locals stopping by for dressed-up drinks, and even tennis pros in town for the Citi Open.
The backstory
This is a building that's seen so much DC history, past and present. Construction began in 1892 for this Romanesque Revival-style structure as a grand HQ for the US Post Office Department (back before email and DMs and texts, when the mail was the only game in town). The castle-like building came dangerously close to demolition several times, but lived on thanks to architecture preservationists. After decades of mixed use as federal offices, a meticulous renovation led to the building's new—and controversial—life in 2016 as the Trump International Hotel. Now this iconic property is part of the Waldorf Astoria brand, known for its famed hospitality, which means the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC should be terra firma for both political parties.
The rooms:
If you want to pretend you're a visiting head of state, this is the perfect DC hotel to book. Wide hallways in the light-filled atrium lead to your room, which boasts oversized windows—hopefully with a view of the US Capitol or the Washington Monument, if you're lucky. The decor, designed by prior ownership, is classically opulent, with blue and white drapery, sparkling chandeliers, upholstered furniture, and marble-covered bathrooms. Each one of the property's 263 guest rooms is unique, but they all retain the building's original character, including architectural details like solid wood doors, wainscoting, and intricate molding. The Waldorf Astoria boasts some of the largest guest rooms in DC, including suites that are worthy of a delegation (think suites with huge living and dining rooms, gyms, and kitchen areas, and even a 6,300 square-foot two-story townhouse with its own private entrance). A turret is an ideal spot for a settee or a desk, which is the most inspiring spot for remote work—and these nooks can be found in the hotel's luxurious suites as well as some of the king and queen rooms.
Food and drink:
You can peer down from your room to get a grand view of Peacock Alley, the bar and dining area located right in the hotel's atrium. Natural light streams in above, while columns surrounding the space stretch to the sky. Peacock Alley's bar is a "see and be seen" type of spot, and naturally, you'll want to order the namesake cocktail, The Waldorf—a twist on a classic Manhattan. The bar is a place to impress a friend (or a date), while leather chairs and velvet couches are easy to settle into while lingering over morning coffee and pain au chocolat. The all-day menu includes luxe snacks like Caviar "Chips & Dip" with herbed crème fraîche or main dishes like roast chicken and burgers with Old Bay aioli. A very proper breakfast here includes lighter options like avocado toast or hearty plates of omelets or eggs Benedict, served with crispy fried fingerling potatoes. And adjacent to the hotel is the Michelin-starred Sushi Nakazawa, which has a completely different feel than the airy atrium: your entire focus will be on the sushi counter in this dimly-lit nook, as chefs painstakingly create artful pieces of nigiri. Chef Daisuke Nakazawa is one of two famed chefs at the Waldorf, accompanied by the outpost of The Bazaar by José Andrés from the DC-based restaurateur.
The spa:
The Waldorf Astoria Spa is decorated in soothing earth tones, and located one floor below Peacock Alley—and feels far from the noise of downtown. Stressed-out Washingtonians and hotel guests alike are welcome to find some zen: Book services like a vitamin C exfoliation and body wrap, a hydrafacial, or a couple's massage in a spacious suite—and be sure to spend some time in the Himalayan Salt Therapy room, where you'll luxuriate in the salt air and the room's otherworldly glow. The elegant 10,000-square-foot retreat also includes a fitness center.
The neighborhood/area:
The White House is an easy walk from the Waldorf Astoria, if that gives you an idea of how close you are to the action here. The property is sandwiched between two of DC's most famous streets, with "America's Main Street"—Pennsylvania Avenue—on one side and Constitution Avenue, which leads to the National Mall's monuments and Smithsonian museums, on the other. It's the ideal home base for walking to DC's top sights, from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to the US Capitol. You're in the right place when it comes to dining and nightlife too, with Penn Quarter's buzzy restaurant scene on your doorstep.
The service:
This is the kind of hotel where the clerk at the front desk graciously and reverently hands you the room key with two hands like it's the Magna Carta, after a thorough run-through of all amenities. An email from the concierge team arrives well before your stay, so they can help you create a custom sightseeing itinerary and snag concert tickets well ahead of time, or on the fly, whatever you prefer. Lean on them to book dinner reservations and plan more vacation-making experiences: one popular excursion gives you a terrific view of DC's monuments in the moonlight as you zip around the Mall on golf carts with a private tour guide.
For families:
The hotel's location is perfect for an educational family vacation in the nation's capital, and children might fall for the building's historic, fairy-tale feel. You'll find kids' menus and other amenities for visiting little ones. In addition to spacious guest rooms with two queen beds, adjoining rooms and suites are available. A Presidential Suite has the option of two adjoining rooms, transforming into a two- or three-bedroom space.
Eco effort:
Many of the sustainable programs here are behind the scenes, from a rooftop herb garden to LED lights and an energy-saving building automation system. There's even a high-tech composting program to tackle food waste. Soon, you'll find toiletries in your from coveted Aussie brand Aesop, featuring full-size bottles (not travel size!) made from 97 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.
Accessibility
Next to the main entrance is an accessible ramp leading to the ground floor of the hotel. From there, guests can take the elevator to the lobby and reception on the first floor—or visit the spa and gym located on that ground level. You'll find ADA-accessible guest rooms, including several mobility- and hearing-accessible deluxe and premium rooms featuring either a king bed or two queens. The rooms have a roll-in shower along with a visual alarm, and notification devices for the doorbell or door knock and incoming calls.
Anything left to mention?
Even though it's surrounded by monuments and museums, the hotel has its own must-see tourist attraction. The Waldorf Astoria in NYC is famous for its towering lobby clock, and the DC hotel has a sky-high clock tower. One of the tallest buildings in the city, the Old Post Office Tower's 270-foot observation deck is free for visitors and includes 360-degree views of the District that rival those of the Washington Monument (minus the lengthy lines).
1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dcawawa-waldorf-astoria-washington-dc/
(202) 695-1100