The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC is all business in the heart of the nation’s capital with crisp linens and sharp lines to help you put your best foot forward.
I stayed here on a clear summer day while visiting the Washington DC area and thoroughly enjoyed the Ritz Carlton’s attention to detail in every way.
First Impressions
Crisp and on point are the words that first come to mind when thinking about the Ritz Carlton Washington DC. From the snappy valets to the knowledgeable front desk thing moved quickly with a sense of efficiency. Quite ironic in DC if you think about it.
Daily presidential cookies can be found at the front desk and they had oatmeal raisin cookies which were former President James Carter’s favorites. They do about 15-20 different cookies paired with a president who enjoyed them most, I wonder if some cookies don’t get eaten at all?
Booking
I booked a premier king room for 31.5k points plus $200 which gave me a point value of 1.5 cents based on a room rate of $689 (minus the $200). I try for 1 cent but anything above .7 cents is considered a good redemption value for Marriott Bonvoy points.
If not booking with points I recommend you get extra perks & VIP benefits by using a Marriott STARS agency to access them (you still get Bonvoy points). I use Classic Travel for booking luxury hotels around the world via their online portal which gives me access to unique benefits.
Check-In
Thanks to Andrew at the front desk my first impression was top shelf. Quick, upbeat, friendly, and knowledgeable, exactly what you would expect at a signature location like The Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C. After a quick rundown of services and an excellent Italian restaurant recommendation I was off to my room.
Throughout the lobby were several art pieces with matching floral arrangements, it took me a double take to catch this.
Room
The cleanliness and clean design lines of my room were soothing to the senses. The dark blue trims, creamy whites, and miles of crown molding made me feel like I was indeed at the Ritz-Carlton.
The beds were comfortable along with decadent sheets and 4 pillows, heaven to sleep on. The desk lamp between the beds had a modern clock with an old-world design that I really enjoyed.
Overall the room just felt like a freshly pressed shirt with medium starch, clean and crisp.
Bathroom
Warm marble tones were present throughout the bathroom including the deep soaking tub. I did find one odd detail in the toilet room, the door barely cleared the toilet. It made for a very awkward entrance and exit, don’t try this after a few cocktails.
The robe provided was one of the nicer ones I have worn, extra fluffy and warm, as you would expect from The Ritz-Carlton hotels.
Dining at The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC
Besides in-room dining and the Quadrant Bar, there are not a lot of choices in the hotel itself. The DC area is loaded with excellent restaurants, many are steps from the hotel itself so I wouldn’t sweat it. I did order a burger from the Quadrant Bar for in-room dining and it was absolutely delicious.
Quadrant Bar & Lounge
I had breakfast here after a long night so I decided on something light and healthy. House-made granola, fresh fruits, yogurt, and agave syrup hit the spot along with a perfect cappuccino.
I also had a chia seed with fresh mango bowl that was a bit outside of my palette appreciation but the steamy hot green tea to start the day was perfect.
On my last evening, I did get to enjoy the bar itself which had several signature cocktails and the service was quick. It was a Thursday and by 6 pm the place was quite full. I was hoping to see the vault open up for something special but it didn’t happen during my visit. If you have had something from the vault let us know in the comments below.
Parking
Valet parking is underground at a rate of $64 per day, self parking is $40 per day with no in-out privileges.
Fitness Center at The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC
There is no fitness center on site but the Equinox Sport Club is right next door (100,000 sq. feet!) and guests have access during their stay for a fee of $15 per day. You can actually enter directly from the hotel elevator without having to exit the hotel.
At first, the $15 per day fee brushed me the wrong way but when I took a quick tour of the facility I quickly realized that this was a bargain. Basketball courts, Olympic swimming pool, along with a host of other features make this a standout fitness offering among Washington D.C. hotels.
Have any tips to share with other travelers? Leave them in the comments below and I will see you in the lobby.
