Why book?
Riggs Washington DC is a stylish boutique hotel in a stately historic bank in Penn Quarter, boasting gorgeous decor, warm service, a buzzy all-day café, and a destination-worthy bar in the original basement vault. It’s steps away from museums, galleries, and cultural attractions, making it a perfect getaway for design aficionados, art lovers, history buffs, and cocktail connoisseurs.
Set the scene
The lobby and café exude a buttoned-up cool while the artsy décor and statement furnishings wouldn’t be out of place at the nearby National Gallery of Art. You’re just as likely to see a group of 30-somethings toasting a night out at Silver Lyan as you are to see chic locals swanning about Café Riggs during one of their sought-after soirées. The hotel’s generous suites make it a popular pick for wedding parties and families, and the private rooftop’s sublime cityscape views have earned it a reputation as a go-to spot for social and corporate events.
The backstory
The Riggs is the first US property from the Lore Group, a London-based hospitality firm known for drawing inspiration from the buildings and communities in which their hotels are built. It is housed in a historic Romanesque Revival style building (one of the last in DC) and was formerly home to the Riggs National Bank—aka the Bank of Presidents. Designer Jacu Strauss nods to the Riggs’ storied past with accents like a bank teller-esque reception desk, brass fixtures, coffered ceilings, and restored barrel-vaulted elevator bank, as well as suites styled after former First Ladies. Strauss also plays with contrast here, offsetting the building’s robustness, cool tones, and sharp edges with plush seating, dramatic velvet drapes, and striking florals, including a glass-encased, giant paper floral installation by Mio Gallery.
The rooms
The standard rooms feel like a Dutch floral painting brought to life, with patterned wallpaper blooms and painterly fabric headboards (designed in collaboration with Voutsa). Standard rooms range in size from 250 to 292 square feet, but even the smallest manages to feel spacious, thanks to a cozy seating vignette that’s equally amenable to taking Zoom calls as it is eating room service desserts (don’t miss the fruit tarts). The posh vibes extend to the Italian Carrera marble bathrooms stocked with bath products in its bespoke Debaser scent from fragrance house D.S. & Durga, and a mini bar fashioned after an antique bank safe, emblazoned with a brass plaque of Juno Moneta (the Roman goddess of money). We also appreciated the thoughtful branded amenities, like a cloth tote bag and a proper umbrella to thwart the persistent threat of DC’s rainstorms.
The four First Lady suites are styled after the interests of notable first ladies, like music-lover Louisa Adams, whose suite is anchored by a baby grand piano, and Caroline Harrison, whose porcelain collection inspired today’s White House tradition and the decorative objects in her namesake suite. These suites are particularly conducive to relaxing, with separate living rooms for lounging and freestanding tubs for soaking. Wedding parties often book the expansive Riggs Suite, which has a living room, dining room, bar, and option to include a connecting bedroom or two, and families love the roomy Gallery and Atelier suites, both of which have sofa beds.
Food and drink
The impeccable service and clever concoctions at Silver Lyan back its ranking on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. It’s the first US bar from cocktail empresario Ryan Chetiyawardana (AKA Mr Lyan), and each whimsical cocktail (or non-alcoholic libation) tells a story; the team spends weeks ideating before mixing. The innovative ingredients double as conversation starters—say, Riesling ink or kiwi ketchup—and drinks are denoted with pithy descriptions, like “plush sipper” or “icy garden disco,” to guide your choice. The menu is rounded out with eclectic bar snacks, like oysters with seaweed mignonette or halloumi fries with labneh. Can’t make it downstairs? You’ll find their classic Project Manhattan bottled in your room’s mini bar.
At Café Riggs, French brasserie vibes mingle with a contemporary American menu that spans breakfast, lunch (a rarity for DC hotels), dinner, and weekend brunch, fueled by a limitless mimosa Champagne cart or nitro espresso martinis. At the handsome bar, don’t miss Martini Mondays, featuring a flight of three seasonal martinis, or drop in for banker’s hour which offers drinks specials and small bites from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday to Thursday.
The neighborhood/area
The Riggs DC’s prime location in Penn Quarter, at the intersection of ninth and F Street, appeals to tourists and families eager to check out downtown DC monuments, museums, and attractions. It’s steps away from the National Portrait Gallery, a short walk to other Smithsonian institutions (including the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture), and Capital One Arena, which hosts performances and the Washington Capitals’ hockey games. The Riggs is centrally located enough for business travelers and diplomats but sufficiently removed from government hubbub that it feels like a retreat. The Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro station across the street makes it easy to explore other DC neighborhoods.
Foodies love the hotel and its neighborhood too. Café Riggs is the rare hotel restaurant and bar that invites lingering, whether over a morning cuppa, leisurely lunch, or splurge-worthy seafood plateau, and its themed evening events (cherry blossom season, Bastille Day, Christmas) have made it a see-and-be-seen spot among locals. Several of legendary chef José Andrés’ restaurants are within a few blocks’ radius, including the mezze-forward Zaytinya, the avant garde-leaning The Bazaar by José Andrés, and the tapas-centric Jaleo.
The service
The service here is polished yet warm and approachable. The friendly door staff will guide you to the hotel’s rack of complimentary bicycles to pedal around the city, or make sure your car service waits for you if you’re running behind.
For families
The hotel’s location lends itself well to family travel; it’s close to the city's museums, monuments, and parks, making it easy to retreat back to your room between itinerary stops. Though the Riggs is decidedly a luxury hotel, it goes out of its way to make families feel welcome with warm hospitality and a family package that includes breakfast, a plush Riggsy bear, coloring pages, and a Riggs adventure passport. There’s also a kids’ menu at Café Riggs, where standbys like cheeseburgers, pasta, and grilled cheese get a gourmet glow-up.
Accessibility
ADA standards are met with doorways that provide at least 32” width clearance and accessible routes from public entrance to various hotel locations. Guest rooms include braille on door signs, TVs with closed captioning for hearing impaired, visual and audible fire alarm. All ADA rooms have bars in the shower; some have roll-in showers, while others have a shower with a chair. Most guests book the ADA room and request specifics as needed. Service animals are also welcome.
Anything left to mention?
Cap off your week with Sunday at Silver Lyan; the full roster of playful cocktails is on offer in the subterranean bar, but once a month, the team hosts a guest bar to offer signature sips and one-of-a-kind collaboration tipples. If you need to get your fitness fix, hit up the Peloton bikes or weight machines in the well-appointed gym.
900 F St NW, Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C. 20004
United States
https://www.theworlds50best.com/bars/
(202) 638-1800