My hometown of Washington, DC has no shortage of elegant and luxurious hotels for discerning guests, but as I recently discovered one of the best in town is undoubtedly the Four Seasons Washington DC. Located in the always trendy Georgetown neighborhood, this unassuming hotel has a lot hidden behind its period-brick façade from elegant design to recently renovated rooms and fine dining, but here are a few reasons why I think the Four Seasons Washington DC should be at the top of the list when choosing a perfect getaway in the District.
Beautifully redesigned rooms
What was already a beautiful property recently went through a massive $13 million update, as I found out as soon as I walked into my spacious room. What I first noticed about the room itself was how cleanly designed it looked. Free of clutter and maximizing negative spaces, the effect is a large and airy room that looks as if it was plucked out of a magazine. Soft neutral tones accented with delicate pops of color and plenty of natural lighting made this a retreat I honestly didn’t want to leave. It was decidedly sophisticated without being too over-the-top or too fussy, characteristics I can’t stand in a hotel room. The goal of my luxury weekend in DC was to enjoy a staycation, to not travel far but to feel as if I had. That was achieved in large thanks to this room, where I promptly encamped and didn’t leave. With a relaxing sitting area it was the perfect place to relax, recharge and unwind.
Socializing in style
Space in DC and in particular Georgetown can be limited, but the use of the hotel space at the Four Seasons Washington DC impressed me in every way. Throughout my time at the hotel I couldn’t help but notice how many people used the public spaces, from the green and leafy outdoor patio to the sophisticated lounge at BOURBON STEAK restaurant, everything made sense and was well used. Hotels spend a lot of money trying to lure locals and guests alike to make use of these spaces, but at the Four Seasons Washington DC it seems just like a natural fit. One thing I love about Washington is the history hidden away in plain sight almost everywhere you go and I was thrilled to see this highlighted at the hotel. Lounge space and even some rooms overlook the C&O Canal, a forgotten but important part of both Washington and American history. Walking along the green banks of the canal, I quickly forgot that I was in the heart of the city. I love that, I love feeling transported when I travel even if for just a few moments. I can think of nothing better than enjoying a drink on a sunny afternoon, overlooking the canal and enjoying the best that the District has to offer.
Great neighborhood
There’s a lot to love about Georgetown, a neighborhood that existed even before the city of Washington, D.C. itself. Today it’s known locally as our most fashionable and sought-after part of town. It’s where you’ll find all of the city’s high-end stores and some of the best restaurants in town. Here you’ll rub shoulders with the elite not only of the Washington social scene, but the rich and famous from around the world. It’s a fun neighborhood to explore and the Four Seasons Washington DC enjoys the perfect position from which to take full advantage of everything Georgetown has to offer. There’s a lot to see and do in Georgetown including the beautiful waterfront, touring the old and leafy residential streets, heading at out night for some jazz and marveling at what honestly is some of the best food in DC. But it’s also well located to experience the rest of the city, not too far from the Foggy Bottom Metro Station you can reach just about any area of Washington easily and without too much stress. That’s exactly what I did during my staycation, driving out to Mount Vernon and stopping off at the Newseum to learn more about the history of media and journalism. I remembered just how great my city really is, a lesson in appreciating what’s local that I sorely needed.
Delicious food options
While there’s plenty of good food in and around Georgetown, this was my staycation and I didn’t want to go far to enjoy some fantastic meals. Luckily, I didn’t have to thanks to all of the Four Seasons Washington DC’s restaurants on site. If you want to spend some time enjoying a few amazing wines and noshing on small plates, then ENO Wine Bar is the perfect place to start the evening. Adjacent to the Four Seasons in a beautiful old brick building, ENO has an extensive wine list with the option to enjoy flights of whatever may strike your fancy. Add in some delicious light bites and it really is the ideal way to enjoy an afternoon or early evening. But it was my partner’s birthday and as such, there was only one choice for us – BOURBON STEAK. I love a great steak house and that’s what BOURBON is, but with a few twists. Sure, you’ll find all the classic elements that make up any great steak house, but they’re prepared and presented in ways I’d never seen before. Chic is probably the best way to describe the cuisine, which uses locally sourced ingredients to create a meal you’ll never forget. The steak was one of the best I’ve ever had, but the desserts stole the show. Spinning American classics like S’Mores and Key Lime Pie on their heads, you’ve never seen sweet treats like these but once you do, you’ll be forever hooked – trust me on this.
The total package
My goal when I designed the weekend was to create an experience for my partner and I that felt like we had traveled around the world to find creature comforts, but without actually leaving the city. Mission accomplished I’m happy to say. It was the perfect weekend, everything just clicked and the Four Seasons Washington DC was at the heart of the day and a half of decompression. They made it easy for us at every step, from sincere and kind hospitality to a room that was the ideal oasis to nearby attractions and food options that were all delicious. We were celebrating a birthday that weekend and I wanted it to be special, something different than the normal “let me bake a cake and give you a few presents” type of experience. Experience, that’s the perfect word; that’s exactly what I wanted to create and staying at the Four Seasons was the answer to accomplishing this feat. Even if you’re not trying to celebrate an occasion like I was, this is a beautiful property ideal for just about any type of traveler that provides amazing access to the District, without feeling as if you’re in the middle of a city. Sometimes that’s what you want, a peaceful oasis and in my opinion that’s exactly what the Four Seasons Washington DC manages to achieve.
