The Watergate Hotel

The Watergate Hotel has leaned hard into its association with the Watergate scandal, creating a unique, quirky experience. I appreciated the subtle references to break-ins and theft, as well as the retro typewriter font used throughout the facility -- room keys, pens, even on the depth markers at the edges of the pool. The decor is luxuriously sleek, with highly polished black marble bathroom flooring and countertops and gleaming chrome accents. Our room was well-appointed with plush bathrobes, spacious shower, and thick bath towels. We also had a large balcony overlooking the gardens, and could see the river around the end. The spa area has a sizable indoor pool, spacious spa, and a large teak sauna. The tall chrome faucets beside the spa and pool create generate waterfall-like white noise that effectively drowns out other guests' conversations and further enhances the relaxing atmosphere. Now some of the downsides: The location is inconvenient if you wish to sightsee without a car. There is very little to see within a reasonable walking distance, and the Metro station is not nearby. Despite the ice buckets in the rooms, there are no ice makers for guests. If you want ice, you have to call, then wait for someone to bring it. Not great when you want to leave the room quickly and take a cold beverage with you. The credenza is too big for the room, and the minibar door it contained could not be fully opened because it hit the corner of the bed. It was impossible to roll a carryon suitcase through that same space. Oddly, there was a large empty area at the end opposite the bathroom, yet only a single chair provided, despite ample space for a second. Some lights cannot be controlled independently. Wall plates control a few, others have incorporated switches, but a few, like the wall sconce and those over the window, could only be controlled via a digital panel, and then only in conjunction with several other lights. The TV system felt dated and didn't provide for casting from your own device. Music streaming was available only for a fee, which was particularly annoying having just left a hotel where I could cast movies and Spotify from my streaming services. Overall, our stay was enjoyable, and we would probably return, but a few minor improvements would make a stay at The Watergate Hotel far more pleasant.

I had a fabulous overnight stay at the Watergate Hotel and countless wonderful Mondays using the Argentta Spa day pass. Carol at the spa was absolutely fantastic, and Sean on the rooftop made the experience even better. The Kingbird restaurant was very accommodating, and every staff member I encountered was welcoming and professional. Truly an oasis during my time in D.C.—I went nearly four Mondays in a row while working at the National Theatre with the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tour. Highly recommend!

We really enjoyed our stay. The beds are comfortable and I loved the shower in the morning. The service is excellent and all the staff make you feel welcomed.

The Watergate is a great place stay if you want to be close to the Georgetown Waterfront and the known sights in DC. Staying right on Virginia Ave allows you to walk 5 minutes to the waterfront where you can go for a wonderful walk into Georgetown for some coffee or shopping (why not both?!). If you walk 5 minutes the other way you will hit the Kennedy Center. One of the most underrated places in DC. Go to the rooftop for sunset- you won't regret it. Most people don't know that it's completely free and open to the public, unless you are seeing a show! A 15 minutes walk away leads you to the Lincoln Memorial, currently under construction, but fingers crossed it's almost done. I'd recommend a late night monument walk there. Sitting on the cold marble and looking out towards to the Capital is truly amazing. Additionally, the rooms are fantastic. The beds are extremely comfortable. The only problem here was that we had requested feather free rooms, due to allergies, and the room was not properly prepared when we had gotten there. The bathroom is very nice. Great water pressure and my family loves their products. Food is good here too! My family ordered room service, which they enjoyed. When we had eaten at Kingbird, they took my allergy card and worked with me to make something I would be pleased with. The rooftop has great views of the city, but the drinks are expensive, just a heads up! The facilities are fantastic. The pool, sauna and hot tubs are a must!!

We were pleasantly surprised on our stay at the Watergate. The rooms still have authentic touches and style with a modern twist. It is great to stay at a property with original charm and not “cookie cutter”. The service was very personal and the couple of issues we had were resolved and handled in the most professional way. The gym and spa were great in which we used frequently during our 6 day stay. The location was safe and close to Georgetown and many restaurants within 10 minutes of walking.