The Willard InterContinental Hotel: The crown jewel of Pennsylvania Avenue
With a prominent location next to the White House and U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Willard Inter-Continental Hotel can only expect some of the most important people in the world to sleep in its beds as it has throughout its storied American history.
The hotel was originally six smaller houses constructed in 1816 and connected into one large building and turned into a hotel in 1847 by Henry Willard. Today's 12-story version was built in 1901. Through the years the Willard went into disrepair, suffered fire damage and changed owners several times, until it finally was co-owned by the InterContinental Hotels Group to operate the hotel. Through renovations, the hotel was restored to its original elegance and prestige, and continues to serve prominent guests who come through Washington.
The Willard InterContinental was designed in a Beaux-Arts style and famous for its luxurious guest rooms, elegant dining, numerous meeting spaces and historic appeal. It is clearly one of Washington's most historic and prominent hotels. One step inside and you know you've entered royalty.
Known as the “Crown Jewel of Pennsylvania Avenue," the hotel features 335 well-appointed rooms, 40 suites, several meeting and events ballrooms, and restaurants. Rooms begin at $299, depending on a number of market factors, and may exceed $4,100 a night for a suite. Renovated several times through its history, the Willard today is a blend of contemporary and historical, offering guests modern facilities and furnishings accompanied by a turn-of-the-century white glove service and tradition.
The hotel is a treat even for non-guests to stop in for a drink, dinner, meeting or use of its Red Door spa. The famous and historic Round Robin bar offers classic cocktails and French bistro dining, while the Occidental Grill & Seafood serves more formal dinner. Afternoon tea is offered at the Peacock Alley Tea. Galas, balls, special dinners and other events take place at the Willard throughout the year, and the ballrooms are also popular for fancy weddings and private parties.
Many famous guests have stayed at the Willard, including almost every U.S. president since Franklin Pierce. Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant would enjoy a brandy and smoke a cigar in the lobby frequently, Calvin Coolidge lived there briefly and Woodrow Wilson's League of Nations plans were developed in the lobby.
Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his famed I have a Dream speech while staying at the Willard, and Julia Ward Howe wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic there in 1861. Other famous guests include Emily Dickinson, Charles Dickens, Walt Whitman, P.T. Barnum, Harry Houdini, Gloria Swanson and General Tom Thumb.
HelloWashingtonDC Tip: The hotel's YouTube page offers some great "how to" types of programming, including a recent "How to make a great mint julep" to celebrate the Kentucky Derby.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
