In the center of Washington DC is one of the most historic and luxurious hotels, the Watergate Hotel. Whether you are planning to visit DC and want the perfect location to explore all the best sites or you are a local and want to treat yourself to a relaxing staycation in the city, the Watergate is an ideal destination! Here are a few of the top things to do during your visit.
Tour the Scandal Room
This iconic building made history when the Watergate Scandal broke and shook the nation, eventually leading to President Nixon's resignation. Tours of the famous room where the plan was orchestrated are available, allowing a glimpse into the scene where the center of the biggest political drama of the time unfolded. Stepping into the room, the interior hallway is filled with newspapers and headlines of the political storm and many repercussions that followed in the aftermath of the break-in. The decor and items filling the room reflect the era and bring back a feeling of nostalgia for the 1970s while also offering all of the modern amenities. It is actually possible to rent the room if you wish to stay in this historic spot or if no one else is occupying the room you can request a tour of this famous piece of US history.
Soak in Views from the Top of the Gate
Enjoy a drink with one of the best views in town at the Top of the Gate rooftop bar. You can't go wrong with the spectacular 360 views at the top which offer stunning vistas of the city, the Washington Monument, and the Potomac River. This is also a perfect place for a date night to catch one of the best sunset spots in town!
Enjoy a Spa Day
Spend an afternoon relaxing and pampering yourself at the Argentta Spa with an ultimate spa massage or any variety of their first class spa treatments. The Watergate Hotel also has a full gym, indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam room to unwind and escape life stresses. After two long days of traveling back to the US, I absolutely loved the first class treatment with an 80 minute massage in their top of the line facilities. I felt like a queen sipping champagne after the treatment in the peaceful relaxation room. Highly recommend taking advantage of all these facilities during your stay!
Sip a Cocktail at the Next Whisky Bar
In the lobby is one of the classiest hotel bars in DC, the beautifully designed Next Whisky Bar. The menu offered a full list of beautifully handcrafted cocktails and a wide selection of whiskey options. Sipping on an Old Fashioned seemed to be extremely fitting for the elegant backdrop of the 2,500 illuminated whisky bottle-lined walls. This is an excellent choice of locations to celebrate a special occasion or grab drinks with friends to start an evening on the town!
The Best of DC
The central location is walking distance from many of DC's most popular destinations, making it easy to visit many of the cultural and historical landmarks. Sitting next to the Kennedy Center, it is a few moments walking distance from DC's premier performing arts center which offers a packed schedule of some of the top names in theater, music, and comedy industries. Continue from there along the walking path down to the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall, Memorial Parks, and the Smithsonian museums. With over 100 memorials and monuments in the area plus the dozens of museums, there is more than enough to spend a full day exploring all of the nation's capital top sites.
Stroll on the Georgetown Waterfront
Departing the opposite direction, there is just as much to discover on the doorsteps of the Watergate Hotel. The popular Washington Harbor waterfront is a few minutes walking distance away which stretches the banks of the Potomac offering many great restaurant and bar options as well as great views of all the boats coming into the area. Continue up the hill to downtown Georgetown to the cobblestone streets lined with shops, restaurants and of course the chance to sample a famous designer cupcake, or take a Canal Boat tour along the waterways. If you want to spend a full afternoon out on the water, head to the Key Bridge Boathouse to rent kayaks or paddle boards for a great workout accompanied by beautiful views of the city!
The Watergate Hotel lived up to the five star reputation and was an exceptional visit in every aspect- from the attentive service, incredible facilities, and stunning rooms. You'll be hard pressed to find a get-a-way as beautiful as this downtown DC luxury stay!