[Leggi in italiano 🇮🇹]
For our Washington DC getaway, Luca and I spent one night at The Watergate Hotel – which I chose for its history, political intrigue (Watergate is known as the most infamous cover up in the history of the United States), European elegance, and its waterfront location.
The exterior of the complex can’t legally be changed because it’s historically protected, so it feels a little like traveling back to the 60s, while the inside went through a $150 million renovation in 2016, inspired by the original plans (1963-1971) by Italian architect Luigi Moretti.
Checking-in was fast and easy. Lucia, the concierge, was great: she accommodated us before our check in time since the room was ready and suggested us to plan a tour of the Scandal Room (I’ll tell you more later).
We got a Deluxe King Room (#1207) with a view of both the Potomac River and of the Watergate Tower – we felt transported into the past!
The room was very comfortable and spacious, with a spa-like floor-to-ceiling marble bathroom, plush robes, luxurious cotton sheet, and a Nespresso machine that made me feel like home. I’m probably the only guest who ran out of all the Nespresso capsules in the room 😇
I loved the “no need to break in” motto written on the back of our hotel’s key card, and I regret not having brought home the paper and pens with the “Stolen from the Watergate Hotel” sign… I meant to take them with me and I forgot about it 😂 – make sure to “steal” some for me in case you choose to book your stay there!
The Watergate Hotel, located in the Foggy Bottom district, is at the center of America’s biggest scandal: the 1972 Watergate break-in that led to (in the face of almost certain impeachment) President Nixon’s resignations.
When it’s available, you can take a tour of (or book) room 214, also called The Scandal Room, used by Liddy and Hunt – two White House undercover operatives – on the night of the break-in at the Democratic National Convention headquarters, located across from the hotel room.
Decorated in collaboration with the Scandal costume designer Lyn Paolo, the room contains original newspaper from that era and other memorabilia from the 1960s & 1970s. Fascinating!
No guests under 18 years or pets allowed in this room.
The Hotel also offer the “Arrested at the Watergate” experience, which includes a night at The Scandal Room, private drinks at The Next Whisky Bar with the original Washington Police Department arresting officers who discovered the 1972 break-in, for $2,500 per night.
Other amenities of the Watergate Hotel:
The Top of the Gate – rooftop terrace bar of the hotel – offers impressive 360-degree views of the city, including the Pentagon, the Washington Monument and the freedom statue atop the Capitol Building… unfortunately it was still closed during our stay and reopened on April 15, 2022.
The Kingbird restaurant is elegant and chic: we had breakfast there, however, we didn’t get to dine here as it was closed on the night we stayed (it’s open Tue-Saturday). For dinner, we opted for (and loved) Farmers Fishers Bakers, which is five min walking distance from the hotel.
The Next Whiskey Bar, the lobby-level bar, with its discreet ambiance and a wall made out of floating whiskey bottles, immediately reminded me of Mad Men, and guess what? Emmy-winning Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant redesigned all staff’s uniforms!
Stanley, one of the bartenders, was very friendly and informative. Say hi from me if you happen to meet him – he also lived in NYC before!
Argentta Spa: we didn’t get to try any treatments (the Spa is open by appointment only), but we took advantage of its fitness centre, saltwater heated indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna – open daily to spa and hotel guests. There’s also a steam room, inside both women and men changing rooms.
Luca is training for his upcoming half ironman, so he did not appreciate the warm temperature of the pool… I loved it! 💕
📍The Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
Thank you for sharing this. I never knew about the hotel and this whole experience looks amazing
I want to plan a stay this summer for a weekend.
so worthy 🙂
This article was so helpful and interesting. I want to book my next visit here! Thank you for the recommendation!
My pleasure and thank you for your feedback <3
I’ve been to DC many times but had no idea this hotel existed! Definitely will have to check it out next time I visit. Thank you for sharing this! I wanna jump into that pool right now as I’m typing!😂
Yes, that heated pool was amazing!!!!!