Do you ever just want to transport yourself to a different time period? Something glamorous from the early 20th century or incredibly historic from colonial times?
Well, though you may not be able to acquire a time machine, you can certainly get a taste of history by visiting any of these three historic, charming, and beautiful hotels around Washington, D.C. From grand architecture, to spectacular dining, to fabulous stories of famous visitors, check out these three gems:
The Omni Shoreham Hotel: Woodley Park
2500 Calvert St. NW, Washington, D.C., 20008 The Omni Shoreham Hotel is one of the grandest hotels in the city of Washington, D.C. It is on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Historic Hotels of America” list, and boasts many“significant moments, such as political adventures, sports heroes, entertainment firsts and milestones, debutante and inaugural balls, school proms, state society dances and weddings.”When you walk into the front lobby you’re immediately swept away by the glamour of it all. The décor has not changed much since the hotel opened in the year 1930. The plush red couches, black and white tile floors, and large golden toned area rugs still invoke the time period of the 1930s and 40s. Sinatra is always playing softly in the background. They really don’t make hotels like this anymore. The crown moulding is painstakingly detailed and each room has an individual flair. Visit this hotel when you want to dress up in something particularly fancy and sip on a martini. It’s also the perfect place for an important business lunch or a birthday staycation. You can learn more about the history of the hotel here, and the logistical details here. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="7212,7213"]
The Willard InterContinental Hotel
1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20004 The Willard is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. While The Omni has attracted politicians and artists, since 1850, The Willard“remains a destination for the world’s power brokers and visitors drawn to the nation’s capital.”Business people and well-to do guests are often found lingering in the lobby, and conferences and important social events are frequently held in the ballrooms. Sophistication drips from every corner of this hotel; everything from the floors to the columns to the dome ceiling is gold, and each detail carved into the wall is incredibly intricate. Although you can spend all your time just gazing around the lobby and not get bored, The Willard also offers many luxury services. Spend some time relaxing at the in-house Red Door Spa or treat yourself to tea time by getting tickets to the infamous Afternoon Tea reception. From live music to an array of decadent teas and finger foods, you’ll really get a taste of the finer things in life. This hotel is the perfect spot for a wedding, so start suggesting to friends and family or plan for yourself in order to experience all it has to offer. It’s also an impressive place to take your visiting parents, or anyone from out of town. The location of The Willard is superb -- only two blocks from the White House and easily walkable to the National Mall and Smithsonian museums. You can get more closely acquainted with the hotel here. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="7214,7215"]
