Located five blocks southeast of the Four Seasons Georgetown, its nearest competitor, this sleek purveyor of 21st-century chic is one of the cornerstones of this neighborhood's vibrant waterfront development.
Its location across a busy road from the Potomac translates into a disappointingly small number of rooms with water vistas, but the emphasis here is on the interiors, not the views. This hotel is one of the city's most unique and interesting rehabs, its sophisticated surroundings carved from the remains of Georgetown's former garbage incinerator.
A number of stylish additions have been added to the original structure, but the outline can still be seen in the facade. This is one of R-C's smallest ventures to date, and as a result, it is one of D.C.'s best boutique offerings.
Unlike its siblings around the world, this Ritz-Carlton has a witty theme that wends its way through most areas of the hotel—fittingly, the theme is fire. At inspection, the hotel was celebrating its fifth anniversary, and already the accommodations were gearing up for renovations. For now nothing has changed.
The lobby, with its brick walls and high ceilings, is an interesting amalgam of Soho loft and Aspen ski lodge. This vast hall has an intimate sit-down reception area at one end. Service has improved over the last few years, proving some back-up for the extravagant rack rates. The far end of the room is given over to a fireplace lounge with a scattering of fiery-red appointments to fuel the Hadean theme. Light fare is served here at tiny tables.
Degrees, the hotel's sophisticated lounge and popular after-work haunt, has a rouge-tempered decor to match its hot reputation.
All meals are served in Fahrenheit. The menu features cool, creative American fare with an emphasis on fresh regional ingredients. The decor flickers with rich red accents, fire-colored fittings, and in keeping with the fiery incinerator theme, the candy bowl atop the host's table holds spicy fireballs instead of the usual mints or toothpicks. Breakfast is complimentary.
The fitness center houses limited exercise equipment (free of charge). The spa promotes treatments based on indigenous herbs and minerals, and a large number of treatments are administered in-room.
Elaborate events are served by a business center and two meeting rooms with the largest accommodating 200 people. The hotel is known for one of the most unusual conference rooms in town. Said meeting room is set under the smokestack of the original incinerator, allowing guests to stare up the massive flue. Guests in search of entertainment will find plenty of options at the adjacent 14-screen movie complex. Valets park cars.
Spacious, lavishly appointed accommodations are in fine shape, and show excellent maintenance. Deluxe rooms average 450 sq ft, and executive suites double the space. Georgetown, Presidential and Ritz-Carlton suites range upward in size and price. Feather duvets, goose-down pillows and Frette linens dress the beds, either one king or paired double arrangements.
Standard appointments are three phones (one cordless) with data ports, Bose radio-CD players, flat-screen WebTVs with DVD players, and safes with power outlets capable of recharging laptop computers. Use of high-speed Internet exacts a fee.
Oversized marble baths are fitted with separate tubs and showers and WCs, and they supply robes, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards.
In the manner of all great boutique-hotels, turndown is provided nightly, and nightly complimentary shoeshine, morning newspapers, fresh flowers and 24-hour room service are standard. Smoking and pets are not permitted.
This is a notable hotel that breaks this chain's straightforward mold. Exemplary service, fine dining, superlative modern accommodations and engaging proportions make this a good fit for individuals and midsize groups with deep pockets and high expectations.
