Last week I wrote about why the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC is my favorite hotel in the District. This review focuses on an incredible suite upgrade I received during my last visit.
Please read my reflections on this hotel prior to reading this review below, for it puts everything into context. Second, please read this review to pictures of the suite and further appreciate why I love this hotel, not as a recent review. This upgrade occurred a few years ago (just before my switch to Boarding Area) and I never wrote about it because I was in a period of blog transition at the time. Thus, this is a better-late-than-never review. But I see it as a necessary addendum to my recent post on the same property.
Furniture has been updated in standard guest rooms so it probably a safe assumption it has in this suite as well. I’m not going to review the hotel amenities beyond Cafe Du Parc and the Round Robin Bar. Instead, I will offer a more comprehensive review when I return to the hotel.
So, let’s get to the upgrade. I arrived at the hotel about 10:00 AM from Philadelphia and figured the room would not even be ready yet. I was hoping for an upgrade but at the same time tried hard not to get my hopes up. Upon arriving in the ornate lobby, the check-in agent thanked me for my IHG Royal Ambassador status and told me that I had been upgraded to a “very nice” room. I grinned and my heart began to pound.
I took the elevator up to 10th floor and found my room, 1010. On the door was a gold placard stating Henry Augustus Willard Suite. Henry was the youngest Willard brother and ran the hotel during its early years. You know you have a nice suite when it has a name on it…
I opened the door and smiled. It was old-school DC. There was nothing modern about it, just tastefully timeless furniture and marble in an ornate and spacious suite. I know this style is not for everyone, but I loved it so much. What a perfect upgrade.
You walked into an entry hall. To the right was an oval-shaped sitting room with views of the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery.
To the left of the entrance was a kitchen and guest restroom.
Down the hall was the bedroom, which included two queen beds.
Bose radio:
The large bathroom included a separate shower and tub.
From the bedroom, you could see the old Postal Building (what is now the Trump hotel) on Pennsylvania Avenue. The U.S. Capitol was blocked by the brown-brick JW Marriott hotel. The views are even more grand from a higher floor.
I had never experienced a suite upgrade like this one and was simply beside myself. Here I was in one of the best suites at one of the best hotels in Washington…as a twenty-something.
Breakfast at Cafe du Parc
Breakfast was a highlight each day in Cafe du Parc, the hotel’s French bistro. Both a buffet and a la carte menu are available. I particularly enjoyed the French Toast.
Round Robin Bar
Even if you are not a drinker, step into the Round Robin Bar for a taste of history. Presidents and world leaders have sat here and the Round Robin was used as a Union watering hole during the Civil War. The bartenders are great and the house special is Mint Julep. During this visit, I had Irish Coffee.
CONCLUSION
Gym? Spa? Other amenities? This isn’t that kind of report. As I said above, next time I stay here I will write the usual comprehensive hotel reviews you are used to. But today I just wanted to continue my reminisce about the hotels by remembering what remains one of my best upgrades of all time.
I believe you meant IHG instead of IHC when you’re talking about your upgrade. And also Ambassador not Ambadassor.
“IHC Royal Ambadassor status”
Love the review though, hope to check out the hotel this summer
So sick of Grammarly already…
LOL
“Sick of Grammarly already”.
As well you should be. A grammar program won’t detect an incorrect initialism, but it should have corrected “The views are even more grand from a higher floor.” The comparative form of “grand” is “grander,” not more grand.
@ Matthew — This is our favorite hotel in the world. And my favorite breakfast in the world (the French Toast is to die for). I cannot wait to return in 5 weeks. I LOVE THIS PLACE!
I bet you have had some nice suite upgrades over the years!
Indeed. They KNOW the Queen!
It is a special place. All the state seals in the lobby are one of the many interesting characteristics. In the summer I enjoy eating outside in the cafe and watching all the politicos walk up and down Pennsylvania Ave.
Great review and pics. Thanks.
Is Mint Julep a specia, species or special?!
So sick of Grammarly already…
My daughter, daughter in law, and I have spent our girls get away week during the pre Christmas holidays at the Willard the last three years. We are in love with the hotel and it’s staff. It’s a warm, welcoming environment with historical charm. We can’t imagine staying anywhere else in D.C.
Fantastic, historic place.
I prefer the Hay Adams
Beautiful hotel. We’ve been staying at the Hay Adams ever since I was a child and I’m going back there late March through early April! My uncle was always chose to stay at the Willard (maybe because that’s his middle name? idk- strange bird) so I’ve spend nights there before it is really amazing. However I still prefer the Hay Adams.