The famous Watergate Hotel in Washington DC completed a $125 million renovation and reopened in June 2016. Originally opened on March 30, 1967, this one-of-a-kind hotel pays tribute to its storied past, while paving the way to the future with a new revitalized modern design. Conveniently located near the Kennedy Center in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington DC, the Watergate offers luxury accommodations and elegant dining options to appeal to out of town visitors as well as local theatergoers. The property boasts upscale guestrooms, flexible meeting and event space, and fine dining restaurants including a spectacular Top of the Gate rooftop bar and lounge with 360-degree views of the city landscape.

Watergate Hotel Highlights and Amenities

• 336 stylish guestrooms including six exquisite Diplomat Suites, 24 premier suites, and two stately Presidential Suites. Each guestroom features a state-of-the-art in-room control system, a spa-inspired bathroom complete with floor-to-ceiling marble tile, and ultra-luxurious bedding and linens. Nearly all guestrooms feature breathtaking views of the Potomac River.
• Dining options range from a lively restaurant and fine dining concept to an exclusive whisky bar and a rooftop space with stunning views of the city.
• 27,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, including a brand new ballroom and 10,000 square feet of outdoor terraces.
• Recreational facilities include a 24-hour fitness center with personal training services, group studios for yoga and fitness classes, a 15-yard indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, and a 12,500 square foot spa and fitness facility complete with a steam room, dry sauna, and treatment rooms.

Restaurants and Bars

Kingbird – The restaurant offers both a contemporary dining room with an energetic bar and outdoor seating on the riverfront. Modern, seasonally-inspired breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served daily. For dinner, Kingbird features a tasting menu of American cuisine with a French twist along with an impressive wine list that celebrates some of the world’s best-known regions Available Monday through Saturday from 5:30-10 p.m., guests can select three courses for $80 or four courses for $95. Signature dishes include English Pea Velouté with cuttlefish ravioli, Crispy Frog Legs, Roast Foie Gras grilled a la plancha over cherry blossom, and Toasted Rouget in bouillabaisse.

The Next Whisky Bar – Destined to become a favorite gathering spot for Washington’s elite, the Next Whisky Bar offers an expansive list of liquors, highlighting whisky, bourbon, and rye from small batch producers and large distillers. The space creates a prime setting for intimate meetings.

Top of the Gate – The Watergate Hotel’s first-ever rooftop lounge boasts 360-degree views of the Potomac River, the Washington Monument, and the Georgetown waterfront. The menu includes inventive cocktails, paired with Asian street food. The modern space is adorned with high top chairs and comfortable couches.

Location

2650 Virginia Ave NW Washington DC (202) 827-1600.

The Watergate is approximately 10 minutes by car from the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and within walking distance to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station.

Rates start at $425 per night. Read Traveler Reviews and Search for Availability on TripAdvisor

Website: www.thewatergatehotel.com

Watergate Hotel History

The Watergate Hotel and Office Building was one of a group of five buildings that made up the Watergate complex, which was the site of the 1972 Watergate Scandal. The complex was originally built between 1963 and 1971 and has been sold several times since the 1980s. In 1972, the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, located on the sixth floor of the Watergate Hotel and Office Building, were burglarized. An investigation revealed that high officials in the Nixon administration had ordered the break-in and then covered it up. The Watergate Scandal led to Richard Nixon’s resignation on August 9, 1974. The Watergate complex was named for its site as it sits near the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and a wooden water gate marks the point where the canal meets the Potomac River. Most of the buildings are apartments and considered highly desirable living spaces.