TL;DR

Historic landmark: 1920s Italian Renaissance building with presidential pedigree.
Prestigious location: Steps from the White House and Lafayette Park.
Haunting history: Built on the former homes of Henry Adams and John Hay.
Monumental views: Washington Monument and even White House vistas from select rooms.
Check prices here

Political history nerds, rejoice! This Washington DC boutique hotel sits in literal view of the White House, by the National Mall, and has seen a long list of politically heavyweight guests.

The Hay-Adams is a gorgeous 1920s building made in the Italian Renaissance style, with an entrance set back from the road for privacy.

It’s also got just the kind of grandeur you’d expect from a hotel where Obama stayed before his inauguration.

The site is where the former homes of Henry Adams and John Hay stood, rumored to be haunted by Adams’s wife, who died a tragic death on the spot in 1885.

And if you don’t believe in ghosts, you’ll still have plenty to fascinate you.

The architecture is monumental, the decor period-appropriate but tasteful, and, hey, where else can you see the entire Washington Monument from the balcony.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 145.
Classic comfort: Rooms start at 245 sq ft with Double or Queen beds.
Deluxe upgrades: Larger rooms with seating areas and sleeper sofas.
Premier perks: Suites feature iconic views of Lafayette Park and the White House.
See each room in detail here

Classic rooms at The Hay-Adams Hotel are a comfortable 245 square feet with either double or queen sized beds.

One step up is a 350+ square foot deluxe room with a seating area and sleeper couch that are nice for larger groups that want a smidgen more space than the rooms with two Doubles.

Once we get into the Premier rooms and Suites, we’re talking views. Iconic views.

Views of the famed Saint John’s Church, Lafayette Park, the Washington Monument, and even the White House if you snag the right suite.

In our opinion, it’s worth the upcharge to take full advantage of the incredible location.

Regardless of your choice, you’ll enjoy plush linens, Bose speakers, desks, black-out curtains, and a complimentary newspaper delivered daily.

Bathrooms at The Hay-Adams Hotel are gorgeous marble with Acqua di Parma bath amenities.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Historic bar: Off the Record, a famed DC basement bar with political caricatures.
Signature cocktails: Known for martinis and top-tier people watching.
All-day dining: The Lafayette serves upscale American cuisine in an elegant setting.

The three main draws of The Hay-Adams Hotel are location, history, and a Forbes-endorsed hidden gem of a hotel bar adorned in caricatures of famous politicians.

Off the Record isn’t a speakeasy as such, but it is a basement joint with limited signage and an air of being in-the-know.

If you can find a seat, grab yourself a perfectly made martini and settle down for some world-class people watching.

The all-day hotel restaurant, The Lafayette, pulls its own weight, serving up high-end American fare in an elegant sun-kissed dining room furnished in soft patterns and creamy whites.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Unbeatable location: Steps from the White House and National Mall.
World-class museums: Easy access to Smithsonian and National Gallery.
History lovers’ dream: Surrounded by monuments and cultural memorials.
Car-free stay: Walkable area with metro access at Farragut Station.

There are few better locations in Washington DC, the surrounding states, and even the country, you could say.

You’re walking distance to almost every main attraction in the United States’ capitol at The Hay-Adams Hotel.

The National Mall and Lafayette Park make for a lovely outdoor outing, lined by the Smithsonian’s collection of world-class museums.

There’s the National Gallery for the artsy folk, Natural History for science-y types, Air and Space for non-earthlings among us.

History buffs will be in heaven. One of the most architecturally striking buildings is the Museum of African American History and Culture, which is surrounded by memorials and artwork commemorating centuries of history.

You could easily fit in an entire visit and not touch a vehicle, but those wanting to see a little more of the city have easy access through the Farragut subway station, which connects to almost every part of the DC and Alexandria.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

”Their service was great! I expected that because I had stayed at this hotel, which is way I made a reservation again. Their hospitality was more than I expected! The concierge at the front desk, the handyman who came and fixed the AC issue, the lady who gave another water bottle, everyone, was amazing. I’ll definitely stay at this hotel, again….”

”The staff was courteous and kind and always a step ahead of us. And the location is perfection! I’ve stayed many places in DC, and it’s nice to not have to drive or cab. Walking in a city really changes the experience for the better, and we couldn’t have done that if we’d stayed elsewhere….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”I don’t have anything that I didn’t like. If I have to add something, the window glasses might have been cleaned up more from outside because I expected a good view of the White House side. But it did not a big deal, actually….”

”It’s a beautiful place. It’s just hard to give full makes to a place for facilities when it’s old and quaint and doesn’t have a pool etc…”

Read all the reviews right here