Pros
- Stunning contemporary design
- Less than two blocks from the White House and National Mall
- Modern rooms with excellent W Signature beds, bathrobes, and iPod compatible stereos
- Swank rooftop bar offers great views
- Good Mediterranean restaurant with a seasonal outdoor patio
- Top-notch spa and fitness center with an array of cardio- and weight-training equipment
- Business center with computer stations and printers
- 24-hour room service
- Free Wi-Fi in the lobby
- Pet-friendly (daily fees apply)
Cons
- Neighborhood goes dead at night
- Fee for in-room Wi-Fi
- No pool
- Wonderful Rooms are small and interior facing
- Rooms lack coffeemakers (though they can be requested)
- Valet parking expensive
Bottom Line
Possibly the most stylish hotel in D.C., the 317-room W has a
tourist-friendly location and offers some of the best views in the city, particularly from its rooftop terrace bar. Highlights include three swanky bars, two restaurants, a modern fitness center, and a boutique spa. Room rates are competitive, depending on when rooms are booked, but look out for pricey extras -- fees for Wi-Fi, pets, and valet-only parking can add up fast. For a lower-priced version of the W, guests might want to consider one of the Kimpton hotels -- such as the Palomar, Hotel Rouge, or Topaz -- located in the livelier Dupont Circle neighborhood.
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 Washington, D.C.
- Most Romantic Hotels in Downtown, Washington, D.C.
- Most Romantic Hotels in Washington, D.C.
- Best Boutique Hotels in Downtown, Washington, D.C.
- Best Boutique Hotels in Washington, D.C.
- Best Hotel Rooftop Bars in the United States
Scene
Stunning interior design makes this the hippest hotel near the White House.
Part of the worldwide W hotel chain, the W Washington, D.C.
stands out for its historic setting inside a 1917 Beaux Arts building within a six-minute walk of the White House. Opened in 2009, the W replaced the historic Hotel Washington, a landmark property that hosted such luminaries as Elvis and Harrison Ford. Landmark regulations mean the original “Hotel Washington” signage can’t be removed from outside the hotel, which can cause confusion among
first-time guests.
Unlike other hotels near the White House, the W has a bold style and a party atmosphere that attracts millennials and shakes up the
neighborhood's staid air. Its soaring lobby (also referred to as the
“living room”) features a seamless blend of classic architecture and
contemporary style. Victorian-inspired furniture, color-shifting chandeliers, and a rotating gallery of contemporary artwork give the first floor an upscale-yet-cool vibe.
The hotel’s restaurants and bars also offer a healthy dose of style. A basement whisky bar offers an intimate atmosphere with soft twinkling lights, dark leather furniture, and a gas fireplace. On the rooftop, the swanky indoor/outdoor lounge bar serves food and drinks overlooking the National Monument.
Location
In downtown, about a five-minute walk to the White House and a 15-minute walk to the National Mall
The W is in the heart of "old downtown." While it's a good location for visiting the capital's major sights, the immediate neighborhood -- bustling with nine-to-fivers during the day -- can border on desolate at night.
- Five-minute walk to Metro Center station (Red, Blue, Silver,
and Orange lines) - 10-minute drive to Union Station
- 10-minute drive to Reagan National Airport (DCA)
- 20-minute walk to popular memorials on the western end of
the mall - 20-minute walk to the National Gallery of Art and National
Air and Space Museum
Rooms
Rooms can be small, but are stylish with modern touches
The W's 317 rooms fall into several categories, each described by a
glowing adjective: Wonderful, Spectacular, Fantastic, Marvelous, and so forth. The cramped Wonderful Rooms start at 215 square feet, but they have disappointing, interior-facing views. Many of the upgraded rooms offer nice views of the Department of the Treasury and a glimpse of the White House beyond (where snipers can be seen on the White House roof). All units include flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars, bathrobes, iPod compatible stereos, and W Signature Beds with pillow-top mattresses and down duvets. Bathrooms are sleek -- some have gray-veined marble, others mosaic tiles -- and come with toiletries, but not all have tubs.
Features
A spa, fitness center, three bars, two restaurants -- but no pool
At a stylish “see and be seen” hotel like the W, it’s a bit disappointing that there’s no pool, but all the other essentials are there. Highlights
include a boutique spa that offers massages, body treatments, and nail services, and a modern fitness center with personal TVs. The
hotel has a few dining options: the smart casual Living Room, open-fire kitchen Cherry, and a rooftop lounge/restaurant, POV. It also has three bars: a whiskey bar, lobby bar, and the rooftop bar at POV. Free Wi-Fi is available only in the lobby. There's also a business center.
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Things You Should Know About W Washington D.C.
Also Known As
- W Hotel Washington D.C.
Room Types
- Exterme WOW Suite
- Fabulous Room
- Fantastic Suite
- Marvelous Suite
- Spectacular Room
- Wonderful Room
- WOW Suite
Address
515 15th St NW, Between 14th and 15th Street, Washington DC, 20004-1006, United States
Phone
(202) 661-2400
Website
Scene
Stunning interior design makes this the hippest hotel near the White House.
Part of the worldwide W hotel chain, the W Washington, D.C.
stands out for its historic setting inside a 1917 Beaux Arts building within a six-minute walk of the White House. Opened in 2009, the W replaced the historic Hotel Washington, a landmark property that hosted such luminaries as Elvis and Harrison Ford. Landmark regulations mean the original “Hotel Washington” signage can’t be removed from outside the hotel, which can cause confusion among
first-time guests.
Unlike other hotels near the White House, the W has a bold style and a party atmosphere that attracts millennials and shakes up the
neighborhood's staid air. Its soaring lobby (also referred to as the
“living room”) features a seamless blend of classic architecture and
contemporary style. Victorian-inspired furniture, color-shifting chandeliers, and a rotating gallery of contemporary artwork give the first floor an upscale-yet-cool vibe.
The hotel’s restaurants and bars also offer a healthy dose of style. A basement whisky bar offers an intimate atmosphere with soft twinkling lights, dark leather furniture, and a gas fireplace. On the rooftop, the swanky indoor/outdoor lounge bar serves food and drinks overlooking the National Monument.
Location
In downtown, about a five-minute walk to the White House and a 15-minute walk to the National Mall
The W is in the heart of "old downtown." While it's a good location for visiting the capital's major sights, the immediate neighborhood -- bustling with nine-to-fivers during the day -- can border on desolate at night.
- Five-minute walk to Metro Center station (Red, Blue, Silver,
and Orange lines) - 10-minute drive to Union Station
- 10-minute drive to Reagan National Airport (DCA)
- 20-minute walk to popular memorials on the western end of
the mall - 20-minute walk to the National Gallery of Art and National
Air and Space Museum
Rooms
Rooms can be small, but are stylish with modern touches
The W's 317 rooms fall into several categories, each described by a
glowing adjective: Wonderful, Spectacular, Fantastic, Marvelous, and so forth. The cramped Wonderful Rooms start at 215 square feet, but they have disappointing, interior-facing views. Many of the upgraded rooms offer nice views of the Department of the Treasury and a glimpse of the White House beyond (where snipers can be seen on the White House roof). All units include flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars, bathrobes, iPod compatible stereos, and W Signature Beds with pillow-top mattresses and down duvets. Bathrooms are sleek -- some have gray-veined marble, others mosaic tiles -- and come with toiletries, but not all have tubs.
Features
A spa, fitness center, three bars, two restaurants -- but no pool
At a stylish “see and be seen” hotel like the W, it’s a bit disappointing that there’s no pool, but all the other essentials are there. Highlights
include a boutique spa that offers massages, body treatments, and nail services, and a modern fitness center with personal TVs. The
hotel has a few dining options: the smart casual Living Room, open-fire kitchen Cherry, and a rooftop lounge/restaurant, POV. It also has three bars: a whiskey bar, lobby bar, and the rooftop bar at POV. Free Wi-Fi is available only in the lobby. There's also a business center.
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
-
Rental Car Service Desk Onsite
-
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.
