Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza has become my pick when I arrange my own trips, even though my employer usually puts us in pricier, trendier places. It’s a style icon for adults who like retro chic. The location at Thomas Circle puts you close to everything in DC, and the nearby Capitol Bikeshare stand makes getting around cheap and easy. The restaurant food is good, the staff are friendly, service is timely, and the poolside bar makes well-made drinks. The pool in the central courtyard is a great spot on a hot day, and you can take in the hotel’s midcentury internationalist-high modern architecture while floating there. The curved white façade and promenade give a classy feel in a city full of normcore or visually taxing hotels. Walking through the front door almost makes you feel like a celebrity. Service has always been the best I’ve received. They treat you like a dignitary, whoever you are, partly because actual dignitaries stay here, especially during international conferences. Renovations are happening floor by floor and are nearly finished. They look great, so ignore the complaints about construction or the place being dated. The updated rooms offer clean, stylish comfort at an accessible price, without the visual noise of newer, flashy social media hotels. The layouts may feel a bit 2000s-era if you expect in-room record players and bookshelves. I’m hesitant to leave a review because I’d rather this Washington DC hotel stayed a secret.

The garage is small, with lots of hazards and barely any signs warning about the tight, awkward spaces. Things hanging from the ceiling can hit your car, and ours was damaged. The staff were helpful about it, but guests need a better lot to park in. The location is good, and the staff and room were fine, so the stay itself wasn’t bad.

We were right in the city center, about a minute’s walk from both the White House and downtown, and our room had a balcony. The location was perfect for our weekend stay. What stood out most was how kind and friendly the staff were. They even let us check in early and check out late.

The hotel’s central location is great, but it’s still under construction and there’s no room service. If you have a guest or visitor, you have to come downstairs to meet them at any hour. The front desk won’t call your room or send anyone up. I understand there could be security concerns, but it makes me wonder what the front desk is for if it can’t help with basic guest coordination.