The Hay-Adams Luxury Hotel in Washington D.C. was our home away from home while we explored our nation’s capital on the first stop of our road trip to Charleston, South Carolina, and back. This oasis of classic style, elegance, and luxury is located across the street from Lafayette Square, overlooking the White House and other significant landmarks, quickly making it the most convenient place to stay in the city. Here’s why we loved our stay at The Hay-Adams so much.
The Hay-Adams
Location: Washington D.C.
Address:800 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
Rating: 5-Star Hotel
Staff Helpfulness & Friendliness: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Room Amenities: 5/5
Room and Bed Comfort: 5/5
Valet Parking: Yes
Pool: No
Golf Course: No
Spa: No
Proximity to Other Points of Interest: 5/5
We stayed at The Hay-Adams, because it came highly recommended by our family who had been to D.C. before, and because it was so close to many of the things we wanted to see during our 48 or so hours in Washington D.C, and I so thankful that we did. Plus, the hotel itself is stunning, and I wanted to see it for myself.
Arrival at The Hay-Adams
Check-in was a smooth process, where their bellhops helped us with our luggage, and the valet whisked our vehicle away to park it until we needed it again. The check-in process took 3 minutes, and we had several attentive staff making the process swift and effortless. We were up in our room before we knew it!
Ambience of The Hay-Adams
The hotel itself is charming, with a very quaint colonial decor style that is very relevant to the grand millennial style taking the world by storm in the last year or two. I loved the dark woods paired with the delicate toile prints, pastel stripes, and shades of pink and green, and touches of gold.
The lobby had several plush sitting areas and massive floral displays that signaled the arrival of spring in the capital with sprays of seasonal flowers. Outside, the hotel was surrounded by blooming flowers, potted Ivy, and a variety of topiaries.
The most significant benefit of the hotel, aside from its regal beauty, was that it was close to everything we wanted to see and do in the capital. Unfortunately, due to the insurrection attempt in January, Lafayette Square was closed off. The block between the White House and the hotel was wholly barricaded, meaning we couldn’t get close to the White House on the side of the hotel. This inconvenience ended up being surprisingly beneficial, as I was able to head up to the rooftop bar & restaurant and get some excellent photos of the White House without anyone around, except for the secret service on the rooftop of the surrounding buildings and the White House itself. You can see them in black in the photo below.
Despite this block being closed off, we could easily walk around the block to the back of the White House area, where the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and so much more were just a short walk away. It was such a fantastic location for exploring D.C.!
The rooftop restaurant, Lafayette, had an incredible view overlooking the capital and the White House and the Washington Monument, Lafayette Square, and much more, as well as a beautiful atmosphere and what looked like excellent food. We didn’t eat there this visit, but I certainly hope to dine there on our next visit – it looked delightful!
Our Room & Its Amenities
Inside our room, we didn’t hear a single other person walking around, talking, or opening and closing the doors, despite there being lots of other guests in the hotel at the same time as us. Our room and the bed were super comfortable, and there was plenty of space for us to get our work done and be comfortable in the Executive Studio. The bathroom had more amenities than most hotels, and the marble flooring and walls added a bright grace to the room that made getting ready there each morning a rare pleasure.
Our Executive Studio had a large bedroom area, a couch, a sitting area, a writing desk, and a courtyard view. We didn’t spend much time in our hotel room, and instead, we were out exploring, so this was more than enough room for us to feel right at home.
Shinola bikes, which are handmade in Detroit, were available for rent as a convenient way to explore the city as well!
Final Thoughts on The Hay-Adams
We loved our stay here. I hope we return to Washington D.C. again soon, and when we do, I plan to visit The Hay-Adams again! If you’re visiting the capital, The Hay-Adams hotel lives up to its reputation as the best luxury hotel in the area, and I can’t recommend staying here enough, particularly if you value comfort, convenience, and tranquility. Book your stay at The Hay-Adams, here.
See more travel adventures on my Instagram @AnnieFairfax.
Donna Aquino says
Love doing staycations here!