If there’s a quintessential DC hotel, it is undoubtedly the Hay-Adams. In a city known for its history, the Hay-Adams manages to stand out as not only a historical landmark but also as a bastion of luxury.
The classic hotel, located just across the street from the White House, borrows its name from its previous residents—or at least, previous residents of the site. In 1884, John Hay, who served as secretary of state under President Abraham Lincoln, and Henry Adams, famed author and descendent of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams, bought adjoining lots at 16th and H Streets. The result was two Romanesque homes that, for decades, were synonymous with high society in Washington, D.C. In 1927, both homes fell into the ownership of Washington developer Harry Wardman, who razed the original properties but maintained their aesthetic and ethos; in their place, he created the original Hay-Adams House, an Italian Renaissance-style apartment hotel.
Upon its opening in 1928, the Hay-Adams immediately attracted the who’s who of achievement in the United States, including Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Sinclair Lewis, who flocked to the new property for its prime location and views of the White House, Lafayette Square, and St. John’s Church. Now, nearly 100 years later, the Hay-Adams has held onto its charm and prestige (with the help of a major renovation in 2001). Today, while outfitted with many more modern amenities, the Hay-Adams has maintained its distinction as the pinnacle of classic American sophistication and service.
The Hay-Adams experience begins once guests step foot into the stunning property. Smartly outfitted doorkeepers stand at the ready to welcome visitors into a plush, carpeted lobby decorated in sumptuous shades of red and gold. Check-in takes place not while standing but rather while seated at a grand, mahogany desk, hearkening back to the hospitality days of yore. Head upstairs to one of 145 guest rooms to find a continuation of the same grand aesthetic, with marble bathrooms, carved plaster ceilings, and ornamental fireplaces and balconies in certain rooms. Beds are absurdly comfortable and feature custom Italian bed linens and bath towels, with goose-down duvets well-suited for cold winter and AC-blasting summer nights.
To keep guests updated with the latest happenings, the Hay-Adams offers a complimentary choice of a morning newspaper, which you’ll be more than happy to read after your nightly turndown service. And if you’re traveling with kids, board games are available upon request. Surprisingly, the Hay-Adams is also pet-friendly, so all members of your family can experience D.C. at its fullest.
However, as spectacular as the rooms at the Hay-Adams are, the primary draw of the hotel lies in its dining concepts. Our perennial favorite is undoubtedly the aptly-named basement speakeasy-style bar, Off the Record, known to play host to some of the most critical wheeling and dealing in American politics. Custom caricature coasters and ice-cold martinis stand out at this subterranean hideout, and the fries are definitely worth ordering, too. For a more substantial meal, head to The Lafayette Room, which specializes in contemporary American Cuisine with quite the view of Lafayette Park.
If you can, you’ll want to enjoy The Lafayette Room’s dining at the unparalleled rooftop venue at the Hay-Adams, the Top of the Hay. While plenty of hotels will boast the best views in D.C., the Hay-Adams means it, with its almost comical proximity to the White House. The rooftop space is wrapped in French doors and windows, making it the airiest and lightest floor of the hotel. Of course, if you want to do more than look at the sights in D.C., you can borrow one of the hotel’s four complimentary bicycles, which come with locks, helmets, and bike maps.
So whether you’re headed to D.C. for business or pleasure, no trip to the capital is complete without a stay at the Hay-Adams.
Top Takeaways
Location: Washington, D.C.
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: Luxurious history fit for United States Presidents.
Food + Drink: We absolutely love the cocktails at Off the Record, the speakeasy-esque bar in the basement of the Hay-Adams. Check out the Lafayette Room for more formal dining, whether during breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Amenities: fitness center; restaurant; bar; concierge; ballroom; meeting spaces; bikes
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The Top of the Hay is an absolutely stunning rooftop terrace with perhaps the best views in D.C.
5 Nearby Attractions: White House, National Mall, National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs?: Take a walk to the stunning Renwick Museum, one of the most easily digestible Smithsonian museums, before setting out for more sightseeing
Rooms: 145 rooms and suites
Pricing: Rooms start at $400/night
Closest Airport: Reagan National Airport
