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    The Hay-Adams

    4.3 (176 reviews)
    PriceyHotels
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Dining room
    Bob R.

    If you have never visited the Hay Adams in Washington DC, you are simply letting the best in life pass you bye. Many of the World's movers and shakers have stayed at this historical hotel. There is good reason for that, the Hay Adams is the pinnacle of what a great hotel should strive to become, they have an amazing attention to detail that far exceeds your expectations. They really know how to pamper their grateful guests. I was asked for my name upon arrival and I was greeted by name when I was seated as well as upon my departure. This may seem like a small thing but it meant the world to me, well done! Thank you for making my stay special, I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

    Fun political coasters
    John C.

    We had a Greg casual dinner at Off The Record bar. It was a lively, fun place to hang out. Food and service were great. Looking forward to going back again.

    Salmon and risotto
    Amanda C.

    Beautiful hotel right by the White House. Got to redeem Amex FHR benefits and used our $100 food credit on room service and $60 breakfast credit during brunch. The decor reminds gives me beautiful old Victorian vibes. Service was generally really good but found some people at the front desk to be kinder than others. Sadly the restaurant was closed on Sunday night so we had to order room service. Got the steak frites, salmon and risotto, and octopus. Everything was as expected but the risotto was a bit undercooked and didn't have as much flavor as I thought it would. Octopus can easily be overcooked but luckily it was perfect. Dinner came with a nice side of bread and butter as well as bottled fresh spring water. During breakfast we had the benedict royale and marscarpone pancakes. Savory was good but the pancakes were a tad too sweet for us.

    Adam B.

    Very plush and comfortable place to stay. The staff are ultra-professional and accommodating. Even people who weren't around when I checked in seemed to know my name, which on the one hand could be a touch unsettling, but overall makes it seems like they place priority on their customers. The lobby is absolutely gorgeous with its wood columns, arches, and embellished white ceiling lit by gold bulbs in the chandeliers with copious fresh flowers. The Lafayette Room is just up a short flight of stairs off the lobby and served a very nice brunch. The branzino was perfectly prepared and the service was polished. Off the Record is a classic hotel bar down a set of stairs off the back of the lobby (see separate review). I decided to go for a little more space and got the executive studio, which gives you a sitting area with a sofa and coffee table, along with a separate closet nook with a desk. The bathroom was quite large, with very upscale toiletries, a separate tub and shower, and a commode with multiple controls for temperature and spritzing various parts of your undercarriage. I was on the second floor overlooking the enclosed courtyard, so not much in the way of view, but it was blissfully quiet. Bed was very comfortable and the decor was classic upscale and very soothing. It oozes class and grace. If you're using public transportation, the Farragut West and the Lafayette Square Metro stops are both close by. Farragut West is just a little closer.

    Executive Studio room

    An immaculate historic luxury hotel, operating since the year 1928. The Hay-Adams is a shining example of what a 5 star hotel should be, which is no surprise considering their affiliation with Leading Hotels Of The World. Their location is ideal, offering panoramic views of the White House, and walkability to many significant DC sights, restaurants, and museums. I stayed in an Executive Studio room ($700/night), which was wonderfully quiet, and visually stunning. I loved the gold and cream color palate, juxtaposed with black and white photos and modern amenities. This room features separate desk and seating areas, a spacious bathroom, and a beautiful canopy bed. The mattress and bedding were cloud-like. From the moment I arrived, I felt warmly welcomed and appreciated. All of the staff I encountered were genuinely lovely; polished professionals who were seemingly always one step ahead of anything I needed. I ordered room service one morning: a stack of buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and an oat milk cappuccino. The pancakes were delicious, and the espresso perfectly pulled. I highly recommend The Hay-Adams for a memorable stay in Washington D.C.

    Maya P.

    We came your specifically for off the record, which was highly recommended by a friend. Such a cool speakeasy vibe. Decor is great, the food was tasty and well presentation clean cute decor inside. Nice bathrooms.

    View from the ninth floor conference space showing the White House, Washington mt, Jefferson mt, Maryland, Virginia, and the Potomac.
    Bill P.

    Top notch hotel. Outstanding breakfast experience. Unbelievable view from the top floor. And clubby elegance.

    King
    C N.

    This is one of many fabulous hotels in the Capital district. What makes it extra special are the views out your window due to its excellent location. Walked into our beautifully furnished room with a view of the White House & Washington Monument. Perfect! Love the Off the Record bar downstairs.

    Lobby

    This is a beautiful hotel; not over the top. It is elegant and very well appointed. My husband and I stayed here for 5 days while we toured DC. The location was perfect as it is directly across from Lafayette Park and the White House. We were greeted at the entrance and directed to registration. There was a beautiful huge arrangement of white roses and lilies by the elevator. Shaun took us to our room on the second floor. We were told we overlooked the "courtyard." The courtyard is a roof between the hotel and the building next door that has been decorated with rocks, benches, and fake plants - a very clever way to disguise an ugly rooftop. The room was a comfortable size in an L shape with a queen bed, sofa, and chair. The smaller section had the closet and writing desk. The bathroom had one sink, a tub, & shower. But the highlight was the Toto Washlet toilet with a heated seat! We were also told at registration that we had a $50 credit for breakfast at the Lafayette restaurant in the hotel (we heard it as $50 ea, but it turned out to be $25 each). Overall, the staff were very helpful, kept fresh cookies all day the reception desk, and the concierge was alway there, knowledgeable, and helpful. There were hiccups though. It is an old hotel, so at night we heard the floor above us creaking. The daytime housekeeping staff did ok, they cared for the basics - towels, bed, trash, etc. but the turndown staff was very inconsistent. On our first night my husband opened the door for the housekeeper and she was reluctant to come in the room until I went to the door. Even then she was reluctant to enter, but she came in and only left ice and then hurried out. One night no dirty towels were taken, no trash emptied, and only water was left. Only one night did we receive a full turndown and that was after we called to request it. We also noticed the lamps and sconces were dusty and had cobwebs. The other inconsistency was at the Lafayette restaurant. We ate all of our breakfasts there. This is an exquisite room that is just lovely to sit in. Most days there were government officials or journalists dining there. The first couple of days the staff was very attentive, remembering us and what our preferences were. However, there were days when we were completely ignored until we waved someone over to take our orders. Additional notes, review your bill as we were charged for the mini bar/drawer that we never used. When questioned, we were told the drawer was "finicky" and the charge removed. Because of the proximity to Lafayette Park where protesters gather, the hotel ended up in the middle of the Gaza war anniversary protest where protesters spilled out of the park and in front of the hotel. The police closed off the street and we had to catch our Lyft (and later be dropped off) several blocks away. All in all, I was happy with our stay and would likely stay again. Looking at reviews for other high end hotels I don't think we would fare any better.

    Lafayette Park View Suite
    Matthew B.

    We were in town last November before Thanksgiving, and had a great stay at The Hay-Adams from start to finish. Bell staff were friendly and efficient, front desk was courteous and accommodating, and housekeeping did a great job every morning and at turndown. We'd booked a Lafayette Park-View Room, and were upgraded to a Lafayette Park-View Suite thanks to the Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts program. The room was beautiful, and the view was quite good as well. Not too much street noise in spite of the location, although particularly sensitive sleepers might want to pack a white noise machine. One other minor complaint is that the thermostat seems very bright in the dark room (we addressed this through creative stacking of luggage to block the light). Mattress and bedding were A+. Some creaky floors (though we never heard any noise from above), and the bathroom was maybe a touch cramped, but both are to be expected in a historical building of this age. We didn't get a chance to try any of the hotel's restaurants or bars; hopefully we can remedy that next time we're in town. But really, you stay here for the location (which can't be beat), and the quality of accommodations (top-notch). I think we've found our new "home base" when we're visiting the city.

    Nutrition advice
    Jeff B.

    Museum visit (renwick gallery short walk) then a delightful lunch in the Lafayette room. Made a reservation for 2 (tip#1 reservations!!) the day before and it was ez by phone. The service was first rate (thanks Emanuel) and most professional and fun ... Jackie the hostess was A+ and gave us a quiet table with defused sunlight in the corner . A wonderful way to rest, feed, and review the exhibits just viewed. Expensive ... a bit, so do lunch and don't drink too much ... but absolutely have dessert ! We split one & it was 'killer-diller'. So food was really good (even mushroom soup was superior!), the service is the best, and the environment is quite fancy. There is even a chance you'll see a famous type. (Tip#2, great cherry trees just outside. ... go late March/early April and check em out in bloom) Worth the calories and $

    Outside

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    Well appointed rooms, excellent service, and comfortable bedding are our three requirements and all were met. Great location.

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    Classy and cultured hotel in a perfect location. Elegant, lovely rooms. Well appointed. What more can you ask for?

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    They know how to treat their guests. We'd come back again anytime. Centrally located

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    The Hay-Adams Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Hay-Adams

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    We will be happy to assist you with a salon recommendation. Please contact us by email at concierge@hayadams.com or by telephone at (202) 662-4994. Thank you!

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    Review Highlights - The Hay-Adams

    We were in town last November before Thanksgiving, and had a great stay at The Hay-Adams from start to finish.

    Mentioned in 28 reviews

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    InterContinental The Willard Washington D.C - Main tea area

    InterContinental The Willard Washington D.C

    (411 reviews)

    $$$

    I came here for an Afternoon Tea Etiquette Class and It was beautiful!…read more The interior was gorgeous and elegant! And they also had a cherry blossom tree w/ a bench inside for you to take pictures. They also have a restaurant that does Tea Service at 1pm and 3pm which I recommend my ladies to check out if you haven't already. In regard to parking, they have a parking garage in the basement but It is VALET ONLY. I asked the receptionist and she Indicated that room prices vary depending on the season but on average they are about $700 - $800 per night.

    My husband and I were chasing a Home Alone 2 fantasy. Lost in New York energy, but in DC. Christmas…read morerobes. Snacks packed. Jenny Lind Suite booked. That jetted tub was supposed to earn its keep. The room: genuinely beautiful. The technology: aggressively dated. The vibe: a 90s time capsule, complete with missing doorknobs. There was effort here, but it felt like the hotel was holding its breath, afraid any real investment might trigger the next recession. What they got right: The bellhops were fantastic. Warm, personable, fun. Truly the highlight. Most staff we interacted with were polite and willing to help, which made the gaps elsewhere even more confusing. What they got wrong (beyond the dated room and tech): For a hotel that loudly advertises luxury service, the customer experience fell flat. Outside of the arrival bowl of fruit, nothing felt elevated. Night two, we ordered pizza and planned a cozy Home Alone movie night. The technology made streaming impossible. Fine, cable it is. We called the concierge and asked for two plates. Just two. The answer was a flat no. We were told to walk down to the lobby restaurant and see if they might have plates "to spare." I'm sorry, what? The next morning, room service arrived... with someone else's order. It was corrected, but for a luxury hotel, that kind of miss is surprising. Housekeeping came through, but only halfway. The coffee and minibar were never restocked. In a suite. At a luxury hotel. This is table stakes. At 9:30 PM we stopped by the lobby circle bar. It was immediately clear the bartenders did not want to be there. I get it, service work is hard. Still, opening our interaction by warning us about last call at 11 set a strange tone. By 10:00, one bartender disappeared for 45 minutes. No refills. No check-in. No bill. Breaks are important. Coverage is also important, especially when you're selling a premium experience. Beyond the bellhops, much of the staff felt irritated to be present. Front desk to concierge, the energy was less "historic luxury hotel" and more "counting down the minutes." The hotel was also clearly prioritizing weekend tea and brunch revenue, to the point that the historic lobby was clogged with extra tables and largely unusable for actual hotel guests. Bottom line: this was not a luxury experience, and I would not recommend it. I'm only posting this publicly because I reached out directly to hotel management and never received a response. At that point, a review feels necessary.

    JW Marriott Washington, DC

    JW Marriott Washington, DC

    (490 reviews)

    $$$

    From check in to check out everything was smooth. Our room, though small, did not feel cramped…read more Everything was clean and tidy. Too bad stored blankets were unavailable for sleepers wanting more warmth than their traveling companions. We had to make a second request for one. May I also suggest providing more than one bar of mini soap bars. It's such a minuscule cost item but would obviate having to repeatedly move the precious one bar from sink to shower. We found the valet staff particularly helpful especially when navigating awkward arrivals and parking needs of our personal guests. Sean was a prince. He supervised an otherwise complicated set of logistics with competence and gentlemanly grace. Another shout out to the manager ( sou?) of the breakfast dining. We watched him rigorously oversee staff and guests while occasionally stepping in when helpful. His leadership is likely responsible for the professionalism of said staff. This is in direct contrast to the staff of the Willard across the street where we took the first breakfast of our stay. We were dismayed to have to endure extremely loud staff socializing, boisterous laughter and downright flirting. This type of behavior would have been unacceptable at the JWMarriott. This experience alone confirms our future choice of Marriott over Willard for annual DC visits.

    The location of this JW Marriott is stellar! We could walk to almost all the sites or pick up the…read moreOld Town Trolley that they provided credits to take and get a free shuttle to the monuments and Smithsonian Museums. Upon welcome we received free Trolley tickets for one day and some food credits, probably based on our Bonvoy Status (we travel all the time). The price for a room I guess because of the multiple conventions in the place was excessive. I think for a room, not a suite, it would have ben $750 per night during the week. I thought that was a lot so we used points, and the 1st night they had not held our King Room for us, and despite being our anniversary, we had to sleep in a double room and move the next day. Unfortunately, the double room was quiet, and the King Room had an adjoining door and we heard every little thing from the room next door. I would put this down one point, but the service, staffing and helpful Concierge made this place really nice for us.

    Conrad Washington DC - Sakura Lounge

    Conrad Washington DC

    (181 reviews)

    $$$

    Downtown

    An absolutely incredible experience from the moment we arrived. The attention to detail and…read morecommitment to service is evident with every staff member you encounter. Karim at the front door started off the experience, all smiles and never let me open my own door. The hotel itself is immaculate, very beautifully decorated and very well located. The staff at Estuary absolutely stole the show though, we must say. We are a family of 4 and were celebrating my daughters 8th birthday trip. From the second we met Asia and Shawnae at the host stand we were made to feel like family! Their warmth, love for the children and willingness to do anything to make their stay enjoyable was so genuine and greatly appreciated! Asia in particular went above in beyond any way she possibly could. She spent time with us, offered suggestions, and left us feeling like we have family here at the Conrad. Cory and Will made great drinks, always smiled, always remembered us and for that we are thankful. At breakfast we had the team of Kevin and Sandra and they also were amazing. Very attentive, did anything they could to make the kids smile, the service was always on point. Crystal at the front desk came up to the room and decorated for our daughters birthday, brought her a gift bag and absolutely made her feel special on her special day! In totality, we came with no expectations and left with every one of them being exceeded! This Conrad is amazing, the best one we've stayed at and honestly a hotel is only as good as the people that make it what it is. The staff here is remarkable, they deserve the regnition and offer their genuine touch openly and willingly any time they can.

    Our stay at the Conrad Washington, DC was one of the most meaningful hotel experiences I've ever…read morehad--not just for me, but as a parent. Traveling can be exhausting, and during our stay, my son Colin often went down to the bar and restaurant on his own in the evenings and mornings. What stood out to me wasn't just the quality of the food or service--it was how the staff treated him. Every single time, he was met with kindness, respect, and genuine warmth. He ordered his meals, sat comfortably, enjoyed his time, and never once felt awkward or out of place. The staff made sure he had what he needed, checked in on him naturally, and created an environment where he felt completely at ease. As a parent, that level of care is something you never forget. For me, the experience was just as special. Corey, the bartender, was exceptional. Each evening, he made sure I had exactly what I wanted, when I wanted it, and engaged in thoughtful, easy conversation that made the space feel welcoming and safe. It wasn't just service--it was connection, and it made a long, tiring trip feel restorative. This hotel doesn't just deliver luxury--it delivers humanity. The staff understands how to read people, how to make guests feel comfortable, and how to create an atmosphere where everyone feels like they belong. I've stayed in many beautiful hotels, but this experience stands apart because of how we were treated as people. Thank you to the entire team--and especially Corey--for making this such a memorable stay. We will absolutely be back.

    The St. Regis Washington, D.C

    The St. Regis Washington, D.C

    (265 reviews)

    $$$

    Downtown

    Came for the Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea to kick off my birthday with friends and I couldn't have…read morebeen happier with the experience! We all ordered the seasonal cherry blossom tea and it was such a good choice! This was my first time having afternoon tea in America vs. the UK so the food and desserts were hit or miss but there were a few that we enjoyed. Overall, the presentation was amazing and the service of course met every expectation. I'd recommend for a special occasion high tea experience!

    This review is for the St. Regis Bar!…read more The space is intimate and cozy - dark red velvet curtains and dark wood, with a very luxe feel. We picked a cozy couch. They still had holiday decor up but it made the space feel extra cozy. Wow, these DC prices are no joke - and the St. Regis prices are astronomical. We met friends here for a happy hour, and our eyes bulged out of our heads at the drink prices. Cheapest cocktail is $25 Sparkling starting at $24 Wine $22-35+ I opted for a NA drink that was $14, that was delish. I like that they bring a little snack bowl out complimentary! We ordered fries as well which were delish - I loved the housemade ketchup. We didn't realize this, but at the St. Regis, they do a daily champagne sabering in the lobby EVERY DAY?! It's at 6pm here - don't miss it. Everyone around gathers, and then you get a complimentary flute of champagne! Our service was attentive and very professional. Very high priced, but how fun to enjoy the luxe atmosphere and complimentary elements!

    Hampton Inn Washington, D.C./White House - Guest room amenity

    Hampton Inn Washington, D.C./White House

    (117 reviews)

    $$

    Downtown

    We had the privilege of being invited to an event in DC and needed to stay walking distance to the…read moreWhite House due to clothes/shoes/weather/time. This hotel is an 8 min walk to the White House. We arrived late on a Sunday and they have valet parking ($70/night). You could park yourself in a lot right across the street for only $30 but who knew? The room was small with 1 king bed, desk, ottoman type "chair/stool" BUT! It met our needs. The bathroom was spacious and the water was hot. It had a closet for our coats and a hallway which we utilized for luggage. The free coffee was Godsend and the free breakfast 6am-10am was perfect! Cereal, breads, scrambled and hard boiled eggs, sausage patties, oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, waffles, juice and probably more. They had a lot of of options for even picky eaters. The buffet was clean and well stocked. When we came back from our event, we were harried to check out but the front desk staff was patience and gracious. We were able to sit in the nice lobby, with free wifi, and have a hot coffee. I highly recommend this hotel for its location, amenities and excellent customer service.

    The location of this hotel is amazing. You're in walking distance of so many things. There's even a…read moreMcDonald's around the corner for a late night snack. The staff was super friendly and I was able to check in early when I arrived super early in the morning. I stayed here for about a week and had no issues. I love the variety of our breakfast options for all types of eaters. The beds were super comfy along with the pillows. I would totally stay here again.

    The Hay-Adams - hotels - Updated May 2026

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