Husband has wanted to stay here since he walked by it to work every day when he was at the WH; this birthday present turned out to be a wonderful weekend. Our room on the ninth floor had a trifecta view of the Organization of States building,the Lincoln Memorial, and Arlington Cemetary, lined up diagonally and lit up in splendor at night. Looking out another direction we had a close view of the Washington Monument. The quiet room, comfy bed, and views would have been the best part of the room except for the surprise (gratis) Happy Birthday chocolate White House sprinkled with strawberries and filled with white chocolate curls. Nice Touch Willard!
The only reason for the four instead of five stars was what we considered less than spectacular service from the lobby staff. When we arrived a door/valet staff took our luggage and said he'd have them put in our room. More than 90 minutes later we still had no luggage. We called and asked for it to be brought up---30 minutes after that still no luggage! Husband went down to retrieve it. We had very little of it anyways but went along with the whisking away of it upon arrival. So, it was puzzling to not see it in our room (especially since we sat in the lobby for 40 minutes during a "room check" (maybe the placing of the happy birthday treat?). Cab service was efficient and breakfast (Brunch only when we arrived Sunday AM) at the attached cafe was okay.
We especially enjoyed walking around the hotel and viewing the history of it, and we were excited to see that, besides presidents, Walt Whitman and Mark Twain had stayed here. We enjoyed drinks in the Round Robin Bar, a friendly place.
All in all, the quiet room with a view was worth the $$ and we'd go back again. The room cost $150 less, was more luxurious, and had a much better view than another DC hotel we stayed at just a month before.
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