Pros
- Elegant rooms with minibars, bathroom mirror TVs, and iPod-compatible stereos
- Walking distance to the White House and the Dupont Circle neighborhood
- High-end French-American restaurant on-site, plus 24-hour room service
- Boutique spa
- 24-hour modern fitness center with personal TVs
- Classically luxurious library and public spaces
- Business center
- Friendly, top-notch service
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
- Pet-friendly (for a fee)
Cons
- Some rooms are on the small side and lack views
- Business-oriented neighborhood is dead at night
- Spa treatments are pricey
- No coffeemakers in standard rooms (suites only)
- Valet-only parking, and it's expensive
Bottom Line
A historic luxury property with a boutique feel, the 99-room Jefferson is among the most elite hotels in D.C. It's not as famous as the Hay-Adams, but its subtle blend of technology (TVs embedded in bathroom mirrors; electronic housekeeping buttons) and colonial charms (intimate library, working dumbwaiter) are second to none. It also has a good location, just south of vibrant Dupont Circle and within walking distance of the White House. While The Jefferson may not offer the famous views of its closest competitor in the area, the Hay-Adams (which overlooks the White House), it does have larger rooms and is closer to the action in Dupont Circle.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Cribs
- Fitness Center
- Internet
- Pets Allowed
- Spa
Oyster Awards
- Best Luxury Hotels in Downtown, Washington, D.C.
- Best Luxury Hotels in the United States
- Most Romantic Hotels in Downtown, Washington, D.C.
- Best Boutique Hotels in Downtown, Washington, D.C.
- Best Hotel Spas in Washington, D.C.
- Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Washington, D.C.
- Oyster's Top 10 Hotels for the Holidays
Scene
Elegant, stylish, and multifaceted -- just like its famous namesake
Like its name implies, this traditional hotel is a luxurious homage to Thomas Jefferson. Busts and regal paintings on the first floor depict the former president, and original documents baring his signature are framed in one of the hallways. Custom-made toile draperies in the rooms depict scenes from Monticello and other buildings designed by Jefferson, and a lovely library houses a hardcover collection of Jefferson’s writings.
The Jefferson made its debut in 1923 as the Jefferson Apartment, a luxury residential building. In 1955, it was converted to a hotel, and has remained one of D.C.'s most prestigious ever since. In 2009, The Jefferson reopened after closing to undergo a complete overhaul. The entire building was gutted, all the way down to the wiring, and a number of new features, including the spa, were added.
Even with the revamp, the style of the Jefferson, unlike the five-pearl Four Seasons and Park Hyatt, is predominantly Old World, and it's filled with delicate architectural flourishes, vintage books, marble fireplaces, and the suited doorman stationed out front looks straight out of Downton Abbey.
Location
In downtown D.C., a 10-minute walk to the White House and Dupont Circle
The Jefferson is in the heart of "old downtown," just a 10-minute walk to the White House. Plenty of great restaurants are a short walk north in Dupont Circle and Logan Circle, but the immediate neighborhood can border on eerily desolate at night.
- Seven-minute walk to Farragut North metro station (Red Line)
- Three-minute walk to the National Geographic Society museum
- 10-minute drive to the Capitol, Smithsonian museums, Lincoln Memorial, and other points of interest on the National Mall
- 10-minute drive to Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Rooms
Elegant and high-tech, but some are small for the price
The Jefferson's 99 rooms offer sumptuous beds, lovely bathrooms, elegant interior design, and state-of-the-art technology. It’s hard to describe a typical room here, because the property offers dozens of different room types -- all in various sizes, layouts, color schemes, and themes -- but the decor is consistently classic, with wall moldings, white bedspreads, and patterned drapes depicting Jefferson’s Monticello home. Every room includes fully stocked minibars, Bose stereos, bathrobes and slippers, filtered water, free Wi-Fi, and room service call buttons. Only suites have coffeemakers, and some units are small. Bathrooms are slick and modern, with walk-in showers and mirror TVs. Upgrading to a Deluxe Suite or above gets you the addition of a deep soaking tub (these are also found in certain Deluxe Rooms).
Features
Boutique spa, modern fitness center, business center, and two nice restaurants
The Jefferson offers a 24-hour gym, business center, meeting rooms plus a luxury spa, which is rare in D.C. The hotel also has a swanky renowned restaurant, Plume, which serves French-American cuisine inspired by the kitchen gardens at Monticello (open for dinner five days a week). The Jefferson’s primary restaurant, The Greenhouse, serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. A traditional bar, Quill, also serves lunch and snacks and has a seasonal outdoor terrace. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
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Things You Should Know About The Jefferson, Washington DC
Also Known As
- The Jefferson Washington Dc
- Jefferson Hotel Washington Dc
Room Types
- Classic Room
- Deluxe Room
- Deluxe Suite
- Martha Jefferson Suite
- Premier Room
- Premier Suite
- Spa Suite
- Thomas Jefferson Suite
Address
1200 16th Street NW, Washington DC, 20036-3202, United States
Phone
(202) 448-2300
Website
Scene
Elegant, stylish, and multifaceted -- just like its famous namesake
Like its name implies, this traditional hotel is a luxurious homage to Thomas Jefferson. Busts and regal paintings on the first floor depict the former president, and original documents baring his signature are framed in one of the hallways. Custom-made toile draperies in the rooms depict scenes from Monticello and other buildings designed by Jefferson, and a lovely library houses a hardcover collection of Jefferson’s writings.
The Jefferson made its debut in 1923 as the Jefferson Apartment, a luxury residential building. In 1955, it was converted to a hotel, and has remained one of D.C.'s most prestigious ever since. In 2009, The Jefferson reopened after closing to undergo a complete overhaul. The entire building was gutted, all the way down to the wiring, and a number of new features, including the spa, were added.
Even with the revamp, the style of the Jefferson, unlike the five-pearl Four Seasons and Park Hyatt, is predominantly Old World, and it's filled with delicate architectural flourishes, vintage books, marble fireplaces, and the suited doorman stationed out front looks straight out of Downton Abbey.
Location
In downtown D.C., a 10-minute walk to the White House and Dupont Circle
The Jefferson is in the heart of "old downtown," just a 10-minute walk to the White House. Plenty of great restaurants are a short walk north in Dupont Circle and Logan Circle, but the immediate neighborhood can border on eerily desolate at night.
- Seven-minute walk to Farragut North metro station (Red Line)
- Three-minute walk to the National Geographic Society museum
- 10-minute drive to the Capitol, Smithsonian museums, Lincoln Memorial, and other points of interest on the National Mall
- 10-minute drive to Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Rooms
Elegant and high-tech, but some are small for the price
The Jefferson's 99 rooms offer sumptuous beds, lovely bathrooms, elegant interior design, and state-of-the-art technology. It’s hard to describe a typical room here, because the property offers dozens of different room types -- all in various sizes, layouts, color schemes, and themes -- but the decor is consistently classic, with wall moldings, white bedspreads, and patterned drapes depicting Jefferson’s Monticello home. Every room includes fully stocked minibars, Bose stereos, bathrobes and slippers, filtered water, free Wi-Fi, and room service call buttons. Only suites have coffeemakers, and some units are small. Bathrooms are slick and modern, with walk-in showers and mirror TVs. Upgrading to a Deluxe Suite or above gets you the addition of a deep soaking tub (these are also found in certain Deluxe Rooms).
Features
Boutique spa, modern fitness center, business center, and two nice restaurants
The Jefferson offers a 24-hour gym, business center, meeting rooms plus a luxury spa, which is rare in D.C. The hotel also has a swanky renowned restaurant, Plume, which serves French-American cuisine inspired by the kitchen gardens at Monticello (open for dinner five days a week). The Jefferson’s primary restaurant, The Greenhouse, serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. A traditional bar, Quill, also serves lunch and snacks and has a seasonal outdoor terrace. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
-
Air Conditioner
-
Airport Transportation
-
Babysitting Services
-
Basic Television
-
Beauty / Hair Salon
-
Business Center
-
Cable
-
Concierge
-
Cribs
-
Dry Cleaning
-
Fitness Center
-
Internet
-
Kids Allowed
-
Laundry
-
Meeting / Conference Rooms
-
Mini Bar (with liquor)
-
Pets Allowed
-
Room Service
-
Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space
-
Spa
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
