The Willard InterContinental

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Lauren Sloat

Joined 4 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. Just two blocks from the White House, this famous and historical hotel--where president Ulysses S. Grant is said to have coined the term "lobbyists" after those who approached him with individual causes as he relaxed in the lobby--includes the Round Robin Bar, French bistro Cafe du Parc and the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Old World opulence on Pennsylvania Avenue.. The Feel
Since Henry Willard bought the property in 1850, this hotel has hosted every president, as a sleeping guest or at a social function. President-elect Abraham Lincoln stayed at the Willard before his inauguration; in February 1861, the Peace Convention of the Civil War was held here. More than a century later, politicians, diplomats and businessmen are still making the Willard their Washington stopover of choice. The hotel's 19th-century feel and Old World service are clearly the reasons why.

Amenities
When you enter the lobby, you feel as though you've stepped back in time to a turn-of-the-century salon with dripping chandeliers, marble columns and gilt trim. The rooms have an opulent feel, with Empire-style chairs, armoires, marble-topped tables and headboards covered in sumptuous blue and white fabric. Period prints and blue and gold carpeting complete the elegant setting. Bathrooms are discreetly furnished in beige marble with soft lighting. For visitors looking for a combination of historical ambiance, modern amenities and first-class service, the Willard Hotel is a bull's-eye choice.