What it is

A legendary 1928 Italian Renaissance hotel adjacent to The White House, with a lauded restaurant and bar, Off the Record, that teems with politicos.

What it isn't

Poorly serviced. When they say “nothing is overlooked but The White House,” they mean it. Les Clefs D’Or concierges await to arrange practically any guest whim; there’s a Tesla charger; 24-hour business center; and topnotch gym.

What we think

Fame has slept here; history was made here…and that’s the feeling you’ll know, unmistakably, the moment you step into these hallowed halls—where everyone from Amelia Earhart to President Barack Obama, who lived here for two weeks with his fam before his inauguration, have stayed. Guest rooms start at a cozy 385 square feet; sumptuously adorned in traditional preppy style (cue toile upholstery and canopied beds!) with luxe Italian bed linens and towels; microfiber robes; gratis turndown; and even loaner iPads, DVD players and board games on request. We highly recommend booking a room or suite with a White House view— many have French doors that open onto private balconies, a dream politically minded for folks on any side of the aisle.

You're here because

The brunch served at the hotel’s chichi locavore restaurant, Lafayette, is almost as iconic as the hotel itself, with a menu that includes Chesapeake smoked salmon and Maryland crab cakes benedict.

The Moment

You’re quite sure you’re rubbing elbows with the next Jackie Kennedy at the thronged bar of Off the Record—President Jackie Kennedy, that is. It seems every ascendant politico is here. One sip of your bourbon, and you know why: it’s power in a glass.

Restaurants & Bars

The Lafayette - Excellent cuisine and attentive service

Off the Record Bar - For refreshing cocktails in a historic setting

Location

Just one block from The White House on 16th Street, directly across from Lafayette Square (named for Revolutionary War officer Marquis de Lafayette).