Is Washington DC Getting It’s First W Hotel?

October 30, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

I went back and forth on posting this post – but this one was too good to hold in.. I have note seen or heard ANYTHING about this anywhere (and trust me – I do my research) – so dare I say I have my first “newstip”?!

Apparently, the Hotel Washington in Washington DC is closing as of December 31st to undergo renovations to be converted into a W Hotel. The Hotel Washington is owned by Isthimar – the same firm that owns the W Union Square – and they are spearheading the effort to fully renovate the building.

If you go on Hotel Washington’s website and attempt to book a room past December 3oth, 2007, all the rooms are “unavailable”, leading me to believe that this renovation is actually going to happy. (Yes – its last night will be the 30th, oddly enough it seems as though the hotel will be closed for New Years Eve)

I was very surprised at first to hear the Hotel Washington is being converted to a W – mainly because the Hotel Washington is a Victorian style hotel, one which I would expect to have a very discerning clientele, most of whom would be shocked to see a modern, contemporary brand like the W take over their space – but things in the hotel industry never cease to amaze me! That’s why I love it so much!

No word yet on ANY details – except for the fact that it does seem to be closing on December 31st and the exterior of the building will stay the same.. Will we see a W Hotel Washington DC with a Victorian/W Hotel look? (if that isn’t a contradiction!) Or will the Victorian look that the hotel is known for completely disappear? All I know is I’m surprised it’s taken Washington DC this long to get a W Hotel.

(Thanks Melinda!)

andrew@alconic-inc.com

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There Are 5 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Melinda on November 1 2007:

    You’re welcome Andrew. Glad to be of service. I, too have not seen any news of this in the local press. I’m surprised at the least that the Washington Business Journal had not gotten a hold of it. Once the fencing around the hotel goes up, that will start the press getting on the bandwagon.

  2. Comment by Liz Drachman on November 5 2007:

    The Washington Business Journal reported this in August:

    A new ‘W’ in D.C.?

    The rumor has been swirling for months among hospitality honchos: The landmark Hotel Washington is on the verge of closing for renovations and will ultimately be converted to a W hotel.

    Industry insiders say an impending face-lift of the hotel at 515 15th St. NW is a no-brainer, though talks with Starwood Hotels and Resorts — whose brands include W, Westin and St. Regis hotels — remain ongoing.

    A W spokesperson indicated an announcement regarding W coming to D.C. is imminent, but would not confirm a location.

    John Boardman, executive secretary-treasurer of the Local 25 hotel workers union, says the 344-room property is likely to shut its doors in the near future for remodeling, “although we don’t know what date or to what extent.”

    Hotel Washington General Manager Craig Scott remains tight-lipped, except to say that if renovations were to happen they wouldn’t get under way until next year.

    And if the hotel is to be converted, broker Bill Moyer of Donohoe Hospitality Services says it couldn’t be done without closing the place. “It’s going to be an enormous amount of work” to give it a modern splash, he says.

    Built in 1917, the Hotel Washington is the longest continuously run hotel in the city. Its rooftop terrace is known for spectacular views of the White House and has long been a perch for inaugural parades and Fourth of July fireworks.

  3. Comment by Melinda on November 5 2007:

    Yes, I saw that article in the WBJ in August.
    Since that time, it was confirmed it will be a W. It will be officially annouced by the end of the month.

  4. Comment by Jody Powell on January 11 2008:

    I would love to know who is doing the Interior Design work for the Hotel Wash. Would I need to go through Starwood?

  5. Comment by Andrew Calvo on January 11 2008:

    That is probably the best way to get information – although I do not know if they would readily provide you with that information.

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