This hotel reopened in January 2008 following a thorough renovation and makeover of all public spaces, rooms and dining areas. It has repositioned itself to be Washington's premier luxury hotel, spending $150,000 per room and going from 13 to 25 suites.
Built in 1926 to resemble a Renaissance palazzo, the St. Regis is just two blocks from the White House. Its magnificent old-world lobby is adorned with glittering crystal chandeliers and shimmering Palladian windows. An elaborate gilded coffered ceiling (copied from London's Claridges) and antiques mixed with custom Sills Huniford furniture combine for a striking lobby. Furnishings include marble-topped tables and high-backed couches accented with velvet throw pillows—all in elegant golds, beiges, and blues—and stunning floral arrangements. Every afternoon when the antique American-made grandfather clock here strikes 5 pm, a bottle of champagne is opened and the cocktail hour officially begins (this clock's twin stands in the Oval Office at the White House, and their triplet stands in the Library of Congress). Guests are greeted at reception by a bowl filled with wrapped Belgian chocolates.
Developed here (and originally called a Red Snapper), a Bloody Mary is the hotel's signature drink. The Chandelier Room, a few steps down from the lobby, serves all meals. The new signature restaurant, Adour, opened in September 2008 and serves haute cuisine under the direction of Chef Alain Ducasse.
A fitness center is open 24 hours, and a designer spa positioned behind the hotel is coming in 2009. Meeting rooms are plush and functional. The largest, the famous Astor Ballroom and Terrace (formerly the Crystal Ballroom and Terrace), can handle 400 for receptions (200 on the terrace) and features a gorgeous stenciled ceiling. All six meeting rooms are named after flowers and can accommodate sit-down meetings for up to 125 people.
Guest rooms are reached via elevators lined with wood paneling and mirrors, and with floors of tiny grey mosaic tiles. Warmly colored hallways have light brownish walls and reddish rust carpeting. A charming feature is the still-working original mail drop. This was the first high-rise (eight floors) in Washington to have one.
Guest rooms have their original knob positioned in the door's center, and original artwork hangs on the walls. High-thread-count Italian Pratesi all-cotton linens cover the king-size beds, which have velvet headboards. Rooms come with wireless Internet, an iPod docking station, a large desk, a live seasonal plant, a 42-inch flat-screen TV, an honor bar, and a fridge with a trendy see-through window. The hotel's hallmark service includes morning coffee or tea in the lobby, newspapers, turndown, 24-hour room service, and free shoeshines. Children under 17 stay free. All guests get the signature St. Regis butler service, which is debuting at the Washington property. Baths feature little mosaic tiles in shades of brown and have oversized showers with a hand-held shower option and flat-finish Italian marble vanities with brass fixtures; a few have tubs. They are outfitted with Taylor glass scales, Remede amenities, and a remote-controlled 15-inch TV that appears ghost-like in the vanity mirror. There is no need for an ironing board or iron—the butler will take care of it all, but he also will deliver a set to those who simply must do it themselves.
Exterior rooms are brighter, and rooms facing 16th Street have better views than those facing K. Avoid rooms facing the Crystal Terrace, as it is often raucous with functions and parties. Suites are all corner rooms and get luxe service that includes packing and unpacking, and tea or coffee with the wake-up call. They have 48-inch TVs and a really deep tub with center drain and bath tray. Twelve rooms are handicapped-accessible.
This refined patrician address is favored by government VIPs, diplomats and business travelers who appreciate dazzling traditional public rooms, high levels of service, and efficient management. This continues to be one of the best hotels in the nation's capital, but the occasionally self-important staff could use a few lessons from the flawless team over at the Four Seasons.
A smaller, more captivating version of the Willard InterContinental, it offers superior service and engaging traditional detail scaled to individuals. However, it is slicker and bares a more commercial tenor than the similar Hay-Adams. Bank-vault security practices at the St. Regis, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton allow these hotels to harbor more power brokers within their walls than any other addresses in these parts.
