U.S. News and World Report‘s list of the best hotels in the United States for 2016 includes a luxury DC enclave at its number two spot: The Jefferson Hotel. The rankings, which are determined using “a hotel’s industry accolades [along] with expert and guest reviews and hotel class ratings,” listed Georgia’s The Lodge at Sea Island as number one, and ARIA Sky Suites in Las Vegas in the third slot. The Four Seasons Resort Hualai in Hawaii and the Peninsula Beverly Hills round out the top five. Washington’s The Hay Adams, known for its remarkable White House views, also ranked highly at number 23.
The Jefferson, which was meticulously restored and renovated in 2009, was selected for its “taste of European luxury in the heart of the United States capital,” the “elegant accommodations” and the “custom duvets, plush bathrobes, flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi.”
Since its renovation, The Jefferson has received well-deserved praise for its exceptional service, swanky but unstuffy decor, and top-notch accommodations, earning the number one spot on Conde Nast Traveler‘s list of the best hotels in DC and a place on the list of TripAdvisor’s top 25 hotels in the country.
Small but mighty, The Jefferson welcomes visitors in its sophisticated black and white checkered lobby, complete with mustard yellow velvet seating and adorable old-fashioned telephones on stands. Its rooms range from compact king-sized standards to a lavish penthouse presidential suite (with a fireplace, dining room, private gym, and views of the Washington Monument), and include amenities like TVs built into bathroom mirrors and large soaking tubs. The rooms come in a variety of soothing but stunning palettes.
Quill, the hotel’s bar, is the type of place you might want to chew a cigar, if one could still do such things indoors. It’s wood-paneled and cozy, and the spread of complimentary ou d’hoeuvres could nearly fill you up before dinner. The cocktails, some of which change seasonally, include nods to DC culture. It’s a favorite spot for Senators, but is welcoming for all visitors. (If you’re stopping by, poke your head into the guests-only library next door. It’s a Downton Abbey-lovers dream come true.
The hotel’s restaurant Plume languished in the doldrums for a bit, but recently returned to Washingtonian’s 100 Best Restaurants list at number six, where it was praised for its “imagination as well as rigor.” Plus, it has a book-lined crescent shaped nook with a table in it where diners can draw a set of curtains for privacy. Tres chic.
Hillary writes about interiors, real estate, arts, and culture. She is the former digital media editor of The New Republic, and her work has also been published in Glamour, The New York Times Book Review, and The Washington Post, among others. You can follow her on Instagram @hillarylouisekelly or on Pinterest @hlkelly.
