Haute Hotels: The Westin Georgetown in Washington D.C. Highly Recommended by Whom You Know! Capitalize on Wellness and Better Living By Staying at the Westin.
Hotel Sweet Hotel
If you stop and think about all the different categories we review, clearly the riskiest one is travel. If we open a book and don't like it, we shut it. If we try a mascara that is lousy and clumpy, we toss it. If we walk a couple of blocks in shoes that hurt our feet or are not made well, they go to charity. However, once you get to a destination, you are there. There's no button you can hit for teleportation back to Manhattan so we need to be pretty sure we're going to like it before we go. We didn't like the Westin Georgetown; we loved it just as much as the Westin Copley Place.
Let us count the ways.
James Garlinghouse
On the day she went to Washington D.C., Peachy Deegan got up pretty early which in fact does make her less perky, not that she is perky anyway.
When we arrive somewhere it is great to have someone happy to see you after walking though a beautiful entrance like this that announces you are somewhere. As you can see, Front Desk Manager James Garlinghouse could find his picture next to the words "cheerful" and "welcoming" in the dictionary. General Manager Meade Atkeson was a total peach to work with, though we did not personally meet him because he was in our favorite state of Connecticut! (Meade, James and Peachy are all from CT and all Farmington (MPS) graduates note that Meade is a Deerfield Boy so maybe you know him.) We were also pleased to meet Florida native Larry Work, who is one smart cookie and the owner of the two independent restaurants in the hotel: Boveda and The Caucus Room Brasserie, just amazing and we also loved hearing about Larry's interests in France (French Heritage Society you should meet him!). Stay tuned for those reviews!
Though the Westin is a franchise and part of Starwood, we are pleased to say it has none of the corporate coldness that many franchises have and our two experiences at the Westin Copley Place and this one were in a word phenomenal. The people are real, intelligent and have personalities. You won't find any corporate robots here; you'll only find caring people who each are worth their weight in gold.
Here's what we wrote on the Westin Copley Place:
Every time we went to the lobby James had a smile on his face and he answered every single one of our questions. Even more impressive, he was still smiling then!
We were in a suite on the sixth floor of the Westin Georgetown. This is much more compact than the Westin Copley Place in terms of height and we think the 8th floor is the highest, and of course at a towering 5'1" Peachy personally appreciates the undertall. Washington D.C. overall has massive height restrictions because of the Washington Monument. Like London, most buildings are pretty short compared to New York especially but also Boston.
We like it when our door says this! Back at you Starwood and Westin, you are a preferred Haute Hotel.
We love tv (we review intelligent and entertaining shows in Small Screen Scenes. Up with HBO and the BBC!) We had not one but two tv's-one in the living room and one in the bedroom.
The gorgeous living room of a suite at The Westin Georgetown!
Obviously, Peachy Deegan does not travel light.
We will have more to tell you on the amazing luggage by Hammacher Schlemmer...
The Westin Georgetown is very eco-friendly and has a spot next to the light switch when you walk in where you put your room key to get the electricity to stay on. For more details, read this card:
We loved the beaucoup de windows in this suite and the many drapes. When we arrived we think we heard God say "Let there be Light," so we opened up and looked out the windows!
However, it was raining.
The Westin gives you water and towels when you ask for them and they are super quick too with a smile.
Great water is essential. Also, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have coffee in the room, and good coffee too.
See Starbucks. It is easy to operate the machine- you add water, you pop in the coffee, and you turn it on. This is something any non-caffeinated person can handle.
The Westin Georgetown thinks of everything.
One big travel hesitation is going to sleep in a bed that is not our own and guess who is the real life Princess and the Pea. The Westin has the biggest, most inviting bed ever:
You might not get up.
Then James would call you...
In our 100 plus columns, still the most populated one is the beauty product column so needless to say we spend a lot of time having fun in the bathroom mirror in general.
Now that we've tried it twice we must say the green tea soap that the Westin franchise uses is absolutely terrific. It smells great, does the job and does not dry your skin out. We love it. They should sell it. Everything at the Westin Georgetown was super sparkling clean.
Like the one in Copley Place, the Westin Georgetown has an emphasis on wellness.
After Boveda, The Caucus Room Brasserie, Nopa and Ghibellina, it would be fair to say Peachy's most favorite exercise is the fork lift, which is even more reason why a gym is important.
The gym is beautiful and has a lot of state-of-the-art equipment and we were sad the pool was outside and closed but look forward to making friends with it in the better weather with our Miraclesuit.
We had both a shower and a bathtub, and both were amazing, especially the bathtub. The shower has an extra nozel that you can spray yourself with if you so desire. The space in all areas of this suite was generous and definitely all the space you'd ever need on a trip.
Shocking to see Peachy's feet without shoes, n'est pas?
(Do read our four columns on shoes and get excited to hear about what we saw at FFANY last week-hint-one brand is in IRELAND!)
The lobby is beautiful and looks great for Christmas:
Note that when you stay at The Westin Georgetown, be aware you are right by the best shopping in Washington D.C. which is M Street in Georgetown! Don't miss that. Right before we left, a lovely parting note arrived:
...with two delicious cupcakes!
The Westin Georgetown in Washington D.C. is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know!
Facts you should know from the Westin Georgetown:
Welcome to the Westin Georgetown in Washington, DC. With architecture inspired by some of the finest hotels in Europe, the Westin Georgetown offers luxury combined with custom amenities and instinctive guest service.
Situated just steps from fashionable and picturesque Georgetown, the Westin Georgetown is in close distance to the White House area while still providing a residential neighborhood feel. The location offers access to notable monuments, glamorous boutiques, a palette of modern, elegant or easy-going restaurants, a metro subway stop just 3 blocks away and scenic running paths.
A masterpiece of both interior and exterior design, the hotel proudly honors custom Westin brand décor that smoothly transcends through out all the guest rooms. With the help of unprompted guest service staff, heavenly bed and shower and 24 hour room service your visit at the Westin Georgetown is going to be unique and refreshing.
ADDRESS
2350 M St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
PHONE & FAX
Hotel: 202.429.0100
Hotel Fax: 202.857.0127
Toll Free: 1.800.228.3000
TRANSPORTATION
15 minutes away from Ronald Reagan National Airport; 45 minutes from Dulles National Airport; 55 minutes from Baltimore International Airport
Airports can be accessed by taxi, shuttle service, metro or Amtrak
Approximately three blocks from Foggy Bottom metro (blue/orange line)
OPERATIONS
Owned by Host Hotels & Resorts
Managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc
ACCOMMODATIONS AND AMMENITIES
267 newly renovated deluxe guest rooms and suites
Meeting and banquet facilities
Restaurant and bar
Full service concierge and 24 hour business center
High speed internet access available in sleeping rooms, meeting rooms and common areas
Wireless internet in the lobby and guestrooms
Overnight parking: valet parking ($40); self parking ($34)
Outdoor pool located on the mezzanine level (open between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
Laundry, valet and dry cleaning
In-room spa services
100% smoke free environment and guestroom
GUESTROOMS
217 king bed rooms
38 two double bed rooms
12 suites
Handicap accessible rooms
4 Westin SPG floors
3 Westin workout guest rooms featuring stationery bicycles or treadmills in each room
All guests rooms and suites feature the Heavenly Bed®, the Heavenly Bath®, high speed internet access, complimentary Starbucks coffee, the Westin plush robe and recycling containers.
MEETING SPACE
Over 12,000 square feet of flexible event space divided into 9 meeting rooms
Westin one call
In-house professional and audiovisual services by Presentation Services, Inc
DINING
Room service
All day
Night Owl Menu: Mon – Fri- 11:30pm – 6:30am, Sat – Sun- 11:30pm – 7:00am
Outlets
The Caucus Room
A modern day American interpretation of a French brasserie, capturing the perfect mix of modern elegance and casual warmth. The menu is divided into interesting categories of boards, skillets, chilled, daily butcher cuts and old-but-new, capitalizing on fresh seasonal products as shared plates or big plates.
Hours of Operation
Breakfast: Mon-Sun 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Brunch: Sat/Sun 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: Sun-Thurs 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Dinner Fri/Sat 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Boveda
The name literally means vault. Boveda is the clandestine destination for vibrant eclectic music, unique cocktails, and inspired modern Latin American dishes. Diners and imbibers may enjoy various seating areas within the intimate space including raised booths, banquettes, communal tables, a lounge, a neighborhood bar, and a tavern-esque private area.
Hours of Operation
Dinner: Sun-Thurs 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Late Night: Sun-Thurs 10:00 p.m. to midnight.
Dinner: Fri & Sat 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Late Night: Fri & Sat 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
FITNESS
Westin Workout® fitness center- free of charge
Westin Gearing Lending Program – nominal fee
Rock Creek Park running trails
RECREATION
CANOE ON POTOMAC RIVER/ BIKE RENTALS
Bike the Sites - 202.842.2453
Thompson Boat Center - 202. 333.9543 and Jack’s Boat House – 202.337.9642
MAJOR ARENAS
NFL - Fedex Field, Landover, MD – Redskins football stadium (40 min drive)
NBA/WNBA, NHL - Verizon Center, Washington, DC – Mystics/Wizards basketball and Capitols hockey arena
MLS - RFK Stadium, Washington, DC – DC United field (25 min by Metro);
MLB- Nationals Park, Washington, DC – Nationals baseball stadium
MOVIE THEATERS
Loews Georgetown 14 – 3111 K St. NW, Washington, DC – 202.342.6033
West End Cinema - 23rd St, NW (between M and N) - 202.419.3456
SITE SEEING
The White House, WW II Memorial, Capitol Building, Lincoln Memorial, The Corcoran Art Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Zoo, Roosevelt Island, The Kennedy Center
SHOPPING
The Shops at Georgetown Park - 3222 M St. NW – 202.342.8190
Fashion Center at Pentagon City - 100 South Hayes St., Arlington, VA - 703.415.2400
Tyson’s Corner Center - 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA - 703.893.9400
GOLF COURSES
East Potomac Golf Course - 202.479.2596
Langston Golf Course- 202.397.8638
HOSPITALS
George Washington University Hospital - 900 23rd St., NW – 202.715-4000;
1-888-449-4677
Georgetown University Hospital - 3800 Reservoir Rd., NW - 202.444.2000
Sibley Memorial Hospital- 5255 Loughboro Rd. - 202.537.4000
