Comments on: A W Hotel will finally open in Washington DC http://www.passionsofazealot.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/ by Andrew Calvo Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:59:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rich Hudspeth http://www.passionsofazealot.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/comment-page-1/#comment-5698 Rich Hudspeth Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:22:04 +0000 http://passionsofazealot.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/#comment-5698 My office is nestled in The Willard complex that also houses the Intercontinental hotel to the east and the new W directly to the west I've had a birds-eye view of the reno of the old Hotel Washington's conversion into W. I have to admit right off the bat that the place is drop-dead gorgeous. And then some. WDC retains all of the historic cues of its past but it's cloaked in W's trademark cool. The lighting at night is fantastic...soft violet light pours out of the lobby's windows and onto the street life that surrounds the building. And what can I say about the Sky Terrace! Except that it's about 10-million times better that the terrace that preceded it. The designers reconfigured the canopy to enhance what were already stunning city views making them even more so. The food and drinks (always a disappointment in the old hotel) are now up to snuff. Way, way, way up. Then there are the dining options. Again, W hits it out of the park as it is home to DC's first Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant with great steaks and haute cuisine. The J & G steakhouse is stacked with two aisles of big curvy leather booths, many of which have phenomenal two-story views of Pershing Park across the street and monument views as well. Around the corner and down a set of stairs or easily accessible from Pennsylvania Ave. is The Wine Bar, a cool and quiet space wrapped around a communal table serving small plates. One last important addition to the WDC is a Bliss Spa where you can experience a signature treatment and purchase beauty products. I could go on and on but suffice it to say that architects and designers hit the nail directly on the head with this one. BTW... I ran across this blog while running a Google search. VERY INFORMATIVE! My office is nestled in The Willard complex that also houses the Intercontinental hotel to the east and the new W directly to the west I’ve had a birds-eye view of the reno of the old Hotel Washington’s conversion into W. I have to admit right off the bat that the place is drop-dead gorgeous. And then some. WDC retains all of the historic cues of its past but it’s cloaked in W’s trademark cool. The lighting at night is fantastic…soft violet light pours out of the lobby’s windows and onto the street life that surrounds the building. And what can I say about the Sky Terrace! Except that it’s about 10-million times better that the terrace that preceded it. The designers reconfigured the canopy to enhance what were already stunning city views making them even more so. The food and drinks (always a disappointment in the old hotel) are now up to snuff. Way, way, way up. Then there are the dining options. Again, W hits it out of the park as it is home to DC’s first Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant with great steaks and haute cuisine. The J & G steakhouse is stacked with two aisles of big curvy leather booths, many of which have phenomenal two-story views of Pershing Park across the street and monument views as well. Around the corner and down a set of stairs or easily accessible from Pennsylvania Ave. is The Wine Bar, a cool and quiet space wrapped around a communal table serving small plates. One last important addition to the WDC is a Bliss Spa where you can experience a signature treatment and purchase beauty products.

I could go on and on but suffice it to say that architects and designers hit the nail directly on the head with this one.

BTW…

I ran across this blog while running a Google search. VERY INFORMATIVE!

]]> By: W Insider http://www.passionsofazealot.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/comment-page-1/#comment-92 W Insider Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:28:42 +0000 http://passionsofazealot.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/#comment-92 Andrew - great site as it is always fun to be in the know before everyone else. I have heard that the new W Washington DC's style is very much staying in tune with the buidling. Neo-Classical with that W seductive sex appeal weaved into it. From what I understand that roof top bar won't be the only dinning destination in the hotel. I hear Jean-Georges Vongerichten will be opening a restaurant there, his restaurant Spice Market in NY rocks! I also hear that they will have patio seating right alongside Occidental & Cafe du Parc. Can't wait till it opens! Andrew -
great site as it is always fun to be in the know before everyone else. I have heard that the new W Washington DC’s style is very much staying in tune with the buidling. Neo-Classical with that W seductive sex appeal weaved into it.

From what I understand that roof top bar won’t be the only dinning destination in the hotel. I hear Jean-Georges Vongerichten will be opening a restaurant there, his restaurant Spice Market in NY rocks! I also hear that they will have patio seating right alongside Occidental & Cafe du Parc.

Can’t wait till it opens!

]]> By: Andrew Calvo http://www.passionsofazealot.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/comment-page-1/#comment-91 Andrew Calvo Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:05:06 +0000 http://passionsofazealot.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/#comment-91 Jen - The owner is Isthimar (Dubai Government) same people who own the W Union Square and alot of other hotels throughout America, Starwood Hotels & Resorts is managing the property though. I'm not sure who the architectural team is. Thanks for the compliments about the blog! Jen – The owner is Isthimar (Dubai Government) same people who own the W Union Square and alot of other hotels throughout America, Starwood Hotels & Resorts is managing the property though. I’m not sure who the architectural team is.
Thanks for the compliments about the blog!

]]> By: jen http://www.passionsofazealot.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/comment-page-1/#comment-90 jen Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:42:20 +0000 http://passionsofazealot.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/#comment-90 Andrew, Do you know who is the Arquitectural team in charge of the W Washington DC? Also who is the owner? is Startwood the owner or is there an external owner.. Thank you and your BLOG rocks.. ;-) Andrew,

Do you know who is the Arquitectural team in charge of the W Washington DC? Also who is the owner? is Startwood the owner or is there an external owner.. Thank you and your BLOG rocks.. ;-)

]]> By: ICONNIC http://www.passionsofazealot.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/comment-page-1/#comment-89 ICONNIC Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:27:08 +0000 http://passionsofazealot.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/#comment-89 I was very saddened to see the hotel rooftop close, but am in great hopes the new owners will do their homework and make sure to preserve that which is time honored here in D.C. the "open air roof top bar." They could also bring back the lovely wicker furniture. That is what gave it it's charm. I spent many a romantic evening on that rooftop in my youth and it was fun to see all the power people at play. I guess I'm showing my age by the fact all my favorite places are slowly going by the wayside, but that is one that should stay. I was very saddened to see the hotel rooftop close, but am in great hopes the new owners will do their homework and make sure to preserve that which is time honored here in D.C. the “open air roof top bar.” They could also bring back the lovely wicker furniture. That is what gave it it’s charm.

I spent many a romantic evening on that rooftop in my youth and it was fun to see all the power people at play.

I guess I’m showing my age by the fact all my favorite places are slowly going by the wayside, but that is one that should stay.

]]> By: Andrew Calvo http://www.passionsofazealot.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Andrew Calvo Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:35:28 +0000 http://passionsofazealot.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/#comment-88 Kenney - Thanks for pointing that out. I have never been to Chicago, so I was not aware, but I did look though the pictures of the City Center W - and you are right - it's a very traditional hotel, with the W style infused within. I hope they do something similar with the W Washington DC. Kenney – Thanks for pointing that out. I have never been to Chicago, so I was not aware, but I did look though the pictures of the City Center W – and you are right – it’s a very traditional hotel, with the W style infused within.

I hope they do something similar with the W Washington DC.

]]> By: Kenney http://www.passionsofazealot.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Kenney Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:30:01 +0000 http://passionsofazealot.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/a-w-hotel-will-finally-open-in-washington-dc/#comment-87 I would expect that they will have no problem meshing modern and traditional. The W Chicago - City Center is in a historic building and has perhaps my favorite "Living Room" of any W. I would expect that they will have no problem meshing modern and traditional. The W Chicago – City Center is in a historic building and has perhaps my favorite “Living Room” of any W.

]]>