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DESTINATION: WASHINGTON
The St. Regis Washington, DC
The capital's hotel of choice for royalty, presidents, and prime ministers.
By Norbert Mehl 
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Exterior view of The St. Regis Washington, D.C.
OVERVIEW

THE ST. REGIS
WASHINGTON, DC

923 16th and K Streets, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
202.638.2626
StRegis.com/WashingtonDC
 

The gracefully reimagined St. Regis Washington, D.C., located just two blocks north of the White House, is an icon of restored elegance where glamour meets tradition. St. Regis Butlers offer bespoke assistance to Suite guests, combining classic luxury with contemporary needs. Every American president has visited this exemplary residence since President Coolidge cut the grand opening ribbon.

A grand scale preservation and transformation of the 175 rooms and suites paired original Palladian windows and Italian Renaissance Louis XVI chandeliers with contemporary touches of custom-designed furnishings and modern amenities.

The Legacy

The St. Regis Washington, D.C. first opened its doors in October, 1926 as the Carlton Hotel. Mirroring the ambitions of the St. Regis founder, John Jacob Astor IV, Henry Wardman, Washington's most successful real estate developer, wished to create a sophisticated establishment that would surpass the very best European luxury hotels of the time.

During the late 1930s, the Carlton became the residence of Secretary of State Cordell Hull, who transacted much of the Governments business at the hotel. Ever since, the Carlton has been popular with members of Washington's political elite, including presidents and their families. Successive administrations have turned to the Carlton to host high level diplomatic meetings and glamorous social galas, including several inaugural banquets.

During the 1950's, President Truman was a constant fixture at the hotel and would often need to enter the hotel through a side window in order to preserve protocol while receiving official guests. Ronald Reagan was a regular visitor to the hotel's barber, Milson Pitts, who cut the hair of several presidents. Robert Kennedy professed the Carlton's chocolate parfait to be his all time favorite dessert.

The hotel has also been a hub of the capitol's social scene. During the 1940's, famous Washington socialite Perle Mesta hosted her celebrated pink themed galas at the Carlton. Joan Crawford, Jacqueline Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Cher and countless other luminaries have been loyal guests. Howard Hughes kept a permanent suite at the Carlton during World War Two, which he famously made available at no cost to uniformed servicemen during his absence.

In December 1987, the Carlton shut its doors for an extensive 16 million dollar renovation, reopening on October 2, 1988, on its 62nd birthday. The renovation enlarged guest rooms, as well as enhancing bathrooms and improving the hotel's communications infrastructure. In 1999, after 73 years as the Carlton Hotel, the property assumed a new mantle as The St. Regis Washington, D.C.

In January 2008, the hotel reopened following a 16 month renovation involving a complete makeover of the guest rooms and public areas, including the lobby, ballroom, the Athletic Club and meeting rooms, and the Astor Terrace.

FINE DINING & DRINKS

Adour: Following Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis New York, Alain Ducasse perpetuates Adour's fresh and contemporary concept in Washington, D.C., with the talents of executive chef Julien Jouhannaud and wine director Ramon Narvaez. Adour is named after the river in southwest France near where Alain Ducasse was born. Masterfully utilizing the freshest seasonal ingredients from the best American suppliers, Adour's menu features elegant cuisine, rich textures and new flavors complemented by a diverse wine collection. Guests will enjoy a contemporary French American cuisine designed with wine in mind for dinner five days a week, as well as breakfast seven days a week.

Designed by renowned architect David Rockwell and the talented Rockwell Group, the restaurant highlights many of the original features including the landmarked ceiling and is set in a landscape of bold hues of black, silver, brown, cream and gold which intermingle with rich textures to create a lush, warm environment. The modern décor beautifully complements the newly restored hotel and radiates casual elegance.

The St. Regis Bar: Sybarites will delight their palates in the premier cocktail lounge of the nation's capital. Adorned in plush velvet and Kenya Black Marble, its warm atmosphere embraces each guest, encouraging lingering for hours in this luxuriant setting. A light fare menu by Adour will accompany drinks if a guest so chooses.

DUE DILIGENCE

GUEST ROOMS & SUITES: Superior, Deluxe, Premier Deluxe and Grand Luxe Rooms invite guests into a sanctuary of luxury with a distinctive newly imagined respite that is both classic and contemporary. Gracious touches like the signature St. Regis bed, writing desk and custom designed gold and brass fixtures meld with state-of-the-art technology including a Bose iPod SoundDock and DVD player, offer a glamorous respite for both business and leisure travelers.

The spacious Metropolitan, Caroline Astor, St. Regis, Knickerbocker, John Jacob Astor, Empire and Presidential Suites feature beautifully designed, oversized bathrooms with soaking tub, standing shower and custom fixtures. Suites may be configured with two bedrooms, a master bedroom and its own master bathroom, a large living room, and even an adjoining dining area with powder room and distinct sitting areas. Some suites are more spacious than most apartments and provide a truly luxurious residential experience.

PRIVATE DINING: Guests may indulge in fine dining from the comfort of their private residence. The hotel's private dining menu features a full assortment of breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, sharing plates, and late night delights, as well as super premium coffees and loose tea choices, fine wines, and luxury spirits and beers. For children, there is an ample selection of items for every meal period, including snacks. The chef and private dining service team can also create custom tailored meals with multiple courses, table side service, or specific ingredient needs.

BUSINESS ROOM: The hotel's on-site business room, located on the Lower Lobby for privacy, provides guests with secretarial, notary and photocopying services, desktop publishing, shipping, equipment rental, laptops, fax machines and high speed Internet access.

ST. REGIS BUTLERS: Butlers offer flawless personalized attention for suite guests, graciously welcoming guests when they arrive and provide for every need throughout their stay. From dinner reservations to theater tickets to a simple wake-up call; expectations will far be exceeded. Services for the hotel's luxurious suites include packing/unpacking, complimentary tea/coffee, traditional shoe shine, pressing (two complimentary items during stay) and a fresh bowl of fruit to enjoy every day.

SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS: Attentive service is the hallmark of the hotel, where the staff stands ready to offer room service, personalized Butler assistance or business center services 24-hours a day. The landmark hotel's commitment to exceptional service includes 24-hour room service, In-room dining, nightly turndown service, complimentary shoeshine, morning coffee or tea and a 24-hour Fitness Suite for a stress relieving workout. Also available are secretarial, translation and notary services, childcare, and limousine services. For a more intimate occasion, enjoy a VIP moonlight tour of the nation's capital or cocktail reception around the Hope Diamond at the Natural History Museum.

WHAT TO DO

Located two blocks away from the White House in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. on K Street, the hotel offers an unparalleled vantage point to the capital's premier destinations, such as the Washington Monument, the National Geographic Society, the Lincoln Memorial, and many government buildings. Both historic and cultural enthusiasts will be captivated by engaging landmarks like the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington National Cathedral, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the renowned Smithsonian Institute, just a short subway or taxi ride away. Visitors may also indulge in a day of boutique or souvenir shopping at nearby 19th century Eastern Market or explore the specialty shops in Union Station.

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