Highlights: The Hay-Adams

•The Hay-Adams is in a prestigious Lafayette Square location, across from the White House

•Washington, D.C., landmark since the 1920s

•Hotel enjoys a fascinating history with a star-studded guest list

•Guest rooms and suites have elegant old-world European appeal

•Main casual restaurant serves continental cuisine

•Off the Record Bar is a favorite watering hole of Washington’s power brokers

•Conveniently located near museums, monuments, and other attractions that appeal to adults and children

Amenities: The Hay-Adams

• 145 rooms, 8 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Two restaurants, bar. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Hay-Adams

Located across from the White House on Lafayette Square, The Hay-Adams is a regal Washington, D.C., landmark. This stately Italian Renaissance-style hotel captures the glory of old-world Europe with its graceful columns, intricate ceilings, and wood paneling. Opened in the late 1920s, this hotel enjoys a fascinating history as the temporary residence of many famous people. Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, and Sinclair Lewis are among the celebrities who have stayed at The Hay-Adams.

Its guest rooms and suites are the last word in luxury, with gorgeous details and wonderful views overlooking the city. While the look may be old world, the guest accommodations are decidedly modern, having been updated with high-tech accoutrements such as Bose sound systems, high-speed Internet, and multi-line telephones. Custom Frette linens, plush robes and towels, and a handful of other creature comforts add even more luxury to the guest rooms. The Lafayette Room restaurant’s large windows looking across to the White House lure Beltway insiders as well as hotel guests, and the Off the Record Bar has long been a favorite watering hole of politicians and power brokers.

The Hay-Adams’ location can’t be beat. It is just across from the White House, and is centrally located for both business and leisure travelers. It is a favorite hotel of executives who appreciate the prestigious address, fine service and amenities, and posh surroundings, as well as its extremely convenient location to D.C.’s government offices and businesses.

The hotel is a perfect choice for tourists who want to visit the Smithsonian, the Washington Monument, and the National Mall, and it’s only a short walk to the Metro.

The Hay-Adams’ elegant style calls to romantics who want to escape for a quiet weekend or getaway. While the hotel doesn’t maintain any specific family-friendly amenities, its central location within walking distance from major attractions makes it a good bet for families who want a hassle-free D.C. vacation.

(+) Washington landmark shares historic elegance with all travelers

Guest Services: The Hay-Adams

The stately design of The Hay-Adams is a perfect match for its white-glove service. The multilingual staff is as distinguished as the hallowed halls of the hotel. Everyone, from the bellman to the concierge, takes great pride in their jobs, and their generous spirit and professional demeanor benefit guests.

In a city where something is happening all the time, the hotel’s concierge is a wonderful resource. Whether you need tickets to a show or restaurant recommendations, the concierge aims to please.

(+) Highly trained staff with professional, caring attitude

Guest Rooms: The Hay-Adams

The Hay-Adams has 125 guest rooms and 20 suites. All accommodations feature views of the White House, Lafayette Square, or St. John’s Church, affectionately known as “the church of the presidents.” The rooms are luxuriously appointed and have unique architectural elements, such as decorative fireplaces and ornate plastered ceilings. The décor is definitively old-world European, with classic furnishings, artwork, and decorative objects. Little luxuries, such as the custom-designed Frette bed linens, enhance the rooms’ comfort, and some rooms even boast balconies. All rooms feature three two-line phones with voice mail, high-speed Internet access, and Bose sound systems.

The hotel’s 20 suites are spacious and ideal for longer visits, families traveling together, or those who simply crave a bit more space. The junior suites have unobstructed views of the White House and are located on the top floors of the hotel. Suites with separate living and sleeping areas, as well as two bathrooms, have views of St. John’s Church or Lafayette Park.

The Federal Suite and the posh Presidential Suite are the ultimate in luxury. The Federal Suite, with its large corner living room and expansive views, is often requested by visiting dignitaries, while the penthouse Presidential Suite would be suitable even for the Commander in Chief.

(+) Guest rooms and suites have historic elegance with modern amenities

Facilities & Activities: The Hay-Adams

The Hay-Adams is ideally situated for visitors to take advantage of D.C.’s many pleasures. This is a city where politics is king, and visitors will want to explore the many branches of government in this city. From the capitol to the Supreme Court, history and pop culture buffs will find plenty to keep them busy. Art lovers will find a wondrous collection of art in this city. Asian works of art are celebrated in the Sackler and Freer Galleries, both under the wing of the Smithsonian Museum and both located on the Mall. Also on the Mall is the Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, with its impressive collection of modern American, European, and Latin American artists. The National Gallery of Art, divided between two buildings, is one of the world’s finest museums. Its collection bridges the gap between old and new, and if you have time for just one art museum, come here.

Museums are the pride of Washington, D.C., and there is a museum paying homage from everything to aeronautics and American history to espionage. There is a trolley museum, a building museum, a cryptologic museum, and a postal museum, among other rather obscure topics. The National Archives displays some of the country’s most important, and defining, documents. Another museum is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which offers a sobering look at an international tragedy.

If museum hopping becomes tiresome, take to the outdoors and explore the skyline-defining Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, or the Jefferson Memorial. These impressive monuments are perfect for taking time to reflect, or even people watch. The Jefferson Memorial is particularly popular in the spring, when the cherry blossoms lining the Tidal Basin are in full bloom.

Washington’s many distinct neighborhoods provide plenty of diversion. From the upscale shops of Georgetown to the funky restaurants of Adams-Morgan, D.C.’s many neighborhoods have a flavor all their own.

While Congress may debate cutting arts budgets across the United States, the city’s Kennedy Center is one of the country’s premier cultural centers. The center’s five theaters host concerts, dance performances, and opera, among other events.

(+) The city is a gold mine of museums, monuments, and other attractions fit for adults and children
(-) Hotel has no fitness center, spa, pool or other facilities

Dining & Lounge: The Hay-Adams

Guests have the choice of three dining and entertainment options while staying at The Hay-Adams. Room service is available 24 hours a day, and the hotel also offers a fine dining room and a convivial bar.

The sophisticated Lafayette Room is defined with large windows overlooking Lafayette Park and the White House. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch each day, and brunch on Sundays. Dinner is served nightly during the week and is closed on weekends. The breakfast menu focuses on the favorites, but adds a twist to some of the classics. From chocolate pancakes to brioche French toast, the tempting selections are sure to put a spring in your step. Light fare, salads, sandwiches, and continental entrées are available at lunch, while Sunday brunch offers a wealth of choices at its appetizer and dessert displays. Entrée selections include crepes stuffed with scrambled eggs and whitefish, crab cakes, and country-style corned beef hash.

Off the Record Bar, mixes it up with cocktails, light fare on weekdays, and dinner on the weekends. It has been a favorite gathering place for politicos and power brokers for years. Its tufted red walls and red upholstered furnishings have the ambience of an exclusive gentlemen’s club, yet the relaxed, convivial atmosphere and tasty concoctions blend to create one of the best bars in the area.

Weekend visitors looking for a more formal meal may be disappointed to find that the restaurant is closed and the bar is the only dinner option.

(+) Airy, light-filled restaurant with nice continental menu, and bar is a local favorite
(-) Main restaurant not open for dinner during weekends

Business Services: The Hay-Adams

The Hay-Adams is an executive’s dream. It’s within walking distance of many major government institutions and businesses, and Metro stations are nearby for those who need to hop on a train to make a meeting.

The hotel takes the needs of its business travelers very seriously, providing many in-room amenities as well as 24-hour, complimentary access to the business center. WiFi is available in all public rooms throughout the hotel, and there is local Town Car service in the mornings, available through the concierge.

Solo business travelers aren’t the only ones who are well-accommodated at this hotel. The Hay-Adams has four meeting rooms, a private dining room, and a rooftop terrace for elegant corporate meetings and events. Each of the rooms bears a distinctive design, but all have a regal flair that is perfect for hosting important meetings.

(+) Individual business travelers and corporate groups are well accommodated