the watergate hotel, usa: high end glamour and political...
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TripAdvisor Traveller rating
104 reviews
The cab turns off Virginia Avenue, sweeps up the curved driveway
and stops before the smartly dressed bellmen at the entry of the
hotel.
The metre high lettering at the entrance leaves me in no doubt that
I have arrived at the Watergate, a name synonymous with political
intrigue, public betrayal and most recently, luxury.
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The Watergate Hotel
64% 104 reviews
#28 of 142 hotels in Washington DC
Excellent 75
Very good 22
Average 6
Poor 1
Terrible 0
Recent reviews:
"Perfect Trip at a Perfect Hotel"2 days ago
We had an absolutely fabulous visit in DC
Home North America USA Washington DC
The Watergate Hotel, USA: High end glamour and politicalintrigue, synonymous with The Watergate
Margaret Easterbrook Nov 8 2016
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The Watergate Hotel in Washington DC. Photo: Ron Blunt
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I'm initially more excited to be seeing the Watergate up close, than
about staying at this posh establishment. After all, few hotels can
boast having helped bring down a president.
The Watergate Hotel Watergate Hotel to go with Margie Easterbrook feature on theredevelopment. Supplied Photo: Ron Blunt
On the banks of the Potomac River in Foggy Bottom, one of
Washington's oldest neighbourhoods, The Watergate's unusual
almost austere façade belies the $A250 million that has been spent
reviving it as a stylish destination.
Complete with custom-made retro furniture and sleek lines that
evoke the understated elegance of the 1960s, the makeover
features a whisky bar, cigar lounge, mosaic-tiled indoor pool, spa,
and rooftop bar with 360 degree views of the US capital. Bold
colours, bio-morphic shapes and moulded edges complete the
theme.
The hotel opened in 1967 as part of a five building complex with
apartments, offices, shops and restaurants set on four hectares of
landscaped gardens with a swimming pool, sculptures and water
features.
Over the years the apartments have attracted celebrity residents
including Placido Domingo, Condoleeza Rice, Elizabeth Taylor,
politicians, staffers and a notable intern - Monica Lewinsky who
hid out at her mother's place during the Clinton impeachment.
The mid-century modernist style of Italian architect Luigi Moretti
divided opinion at the time with critics claiming the flowing design
jarred with Washington's many symmetrical neo-classical
buildings. The project's scale also caused angst.
But the controversy over the exterior was nothing compared to the
scandal created in 1972 by what is now simply known as
"Watergate" which started with a bungled burglary at the
Democratic National Committee headquarters located in offices
next to the hotel.
A series of events exposed by The Washington Post, and subsequent
Senate hearings linked the break-in to the Republican
Administration and two years later led to the resignation of Richard
Nixon – the first president in US history to resign.
While gaining notoriety through the scandal, over the years the
hotel lost its allure as a playground for the rich and famous. It
and the Watergate Hotel was the perfectplace to stay. We were in DC for a workconference for my husband and extendedweekend of college visits wi ... read moreKristin A
"Excellent! Would definitely return!"2 days ago
Stayed for a weekend visit to Washington.Staff were wonderful and very helpful. Thehotel is beautifully renovated by designer RonArad. We stayed on the 12th floor and had agreat view of ... read moreChristy M
"Outstanding Stay"2 days ago
The hotel is beautiful, the views from therooms are amazing, the hotel staff makeevery effort to be as gracious as they possiblycan. My husband and I have stayed at thehotel for two wee ... read moreGeminiDragonSanDiego
These reviews are the subjective opinions of individualtravellers and not of TripAdvisor LLC nor of itspartners.© 2014 TripAdvisor LLC
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changed hands several times and underwent various reincarnations
but the arrival of the global financial crisis effectively finished it
off.
It closed in 2007, was left vacant for many years and subsequently
fell into disrepair.
See also: Inside Donald Trump's hotel
In 2010 Jacquesand Rakel Cohen, a New York-based couple and
their Euro Capital Properties forked out $A60 million for the site
with plans to gut and rebuild. Jacques Cohen said at the time they
wanted to make a statement, not simply build a "cookie-cutter
hotel".
While recognising the allure of the Nixon link, their primary
interest was in re-creating The Watergate's appeal as a glamour
destination.
They brought in acclaimed Israeli-born, London-based architect
Ron Arad, whose bold design has featured in exhibitions around the
world including at New York's Museum of Modern Art, the
Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Barbican in London.
Picking up on the Watergate's undulating exterior, which mimics
the bends of the Potomac nearby, curves feature inside the hotel,
not just in its furnishings but in the layout of the walkways which
ensures natural light and a view from almost every aspect.
The long, sculptured brass reception desk and floor to ceiling
stainless steel pillars in the lobby set the scene on arrival of 60s
elegance mixed with modern flair.
In a cheeky and effective nod to the glamour of the period, the staff
uniforms are the work of Emmy Award winning costume designer
Janie Bryant who produced the wardrobe for the highly successful
Mad Men television series.
The bar, restaurant, front desk, concierge and housekeeping staff
each have their distinctive, Bryant-designed uniforms which are
highly tailored in keeping with the period, yet smart and
functional.
Off the lobby sits The Next Whisky Bar, an intimate retreat with
walls consisting of hundreds of filled and base-lit whisky bottles
emitting a cosy amber glow. Comfortable, red sculptured Moroso
chairs add to the vibe.
The significance of the bar's name is not lost on fans of the 60s
band, The Doors, who in Alabama Song sang "...show me the way/To
the next whisky bar/Oh, don't ask why, Oh don't ask why".
I'm not much of a whisky drinker but this central location provided
a comfortable spot for a bit of people watching and celebrity
spotting (Stevie Wonder, in my case) while feigning to read the
paper as I waited for friends.
One of the Cohens key achievements in the redevelopment was the
re-creation of the grand ballroom. In a complex move, a rooftop
garden was demolished and reinstated to enable the ballroom's
ceiling, lit by thousands of sparkling LED lights, to be raised by just
over two metres.
The Top of the Gate Bar with oversized lounges and views across
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the DC skyline is popular with hotel guests as well as locals for
uninterrupted views of the sunset while sharing Asian-inspired
tapas and having a pre-dinner drink.
The clientele is diverse and includes those in black tie catching up
before heading to the Kennedy Centre across the road to take in a
bit of ballet, Washington politicos chilling after work, and the
young fashionistas working their way through the cocktail list.
A rather urbane looking man, wearing an Akubra, makes himself
comfortable sipping a chardonnay while basking in the sunset. His
choice of headwear and laid back demeanour suggest he is a well-
travelled gent.
While there are no blatant references to the hotel's sordid past,
political junkies won't be disappointed by a series of clever and
witty acknowledgements of the notorious Nixon era and the mark
it left on American political history.
Pencils by the bedside and on the desk in guest rooms bear the
words "I stole this from the Watergate Hotel" in a clear invitation
to be pocketed (which I did) while there is a gentle reminder to
guests on room keys that there is "no need to break in".
Guests are treated to recordings of Nixon speeches when put on
hold while seeking assistance from the front desk and, in a less
obvious play on the theme, the customer service number ends in
the digits 1972.
Like everything about The Watergate even these nods to its storied
past are done with a certain sophistication which helps it meet the
promise set out in its promotional material of being
"unapologetically luxurious".
This place most definitely oozes 60s glamour and sex appeal but
with an alluring hint of past seediness.
TRIP NOTES
MORE INFORMATION
www.thewatergatehotel.com/Washington DC
GETTING THERE
Qantas flies from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to Los Angeles,
with connecting American Airlines flights to Washington DC.
Phone 131313 or go to www.qantas.com.
STAYING THERE
The Watergate Hotel is at 2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington DC.
Reservations can be made at [email protected].
Rooms start at $A414. Phone (844) 617 1972.
SEE & DO
The hotel is close to historic Georgetown, 2.5 kilometres from the
Washington Monument, and 2 kilometres from the Lincoln
Memorial and the White House. The National Gallery of Art, the
Newseum, the National Air and Space Museum and the other
Smithsonians are about 4 kilometres away
Margaret Easterbrook stayed as a guest of Watergate Hotel.
See also: The best hotel designs in Australia
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See also: Donald Trump hotels: Would anyone stay in a Trump
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