Rosewood Washington, DC evaluation – The Factors Man

Vacationers, dignitaries and politicos have quite a lot of ultraluxury resorts to select from once they head to Washington, D.C. However which reigns supreme?

I used to be eager on testing out Rosewood Washington, D.C. on a current journey to the U.S. capital metropolis, as I used to be fortunate to spend just a few days earlier this 12 months on the extra leisure-oriented Rosewood Phuket in Thailand. How effectively does this luxe model translate from the sandy shores of paradise to the nucleus of political energy? You heard it right here first: It is simply as fabulous as you would possibly anticipate.

Whereas Rosewood’s D.C. aura is completely totally different from that of its Thai sibling, there are clearly frequent threads by way of anticipatory service and a focus to element that maintain vacationers coming again to the model.

What it is like at Rosewood Washington, DC

Rosewood Washington, D.C. is a handy 15-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA). The intimate brownstone clocks in at solely 49 visitor rooms and suites, plus a further eight townhouses for these trying to splurge and really feel really at residence within the surrounding Georgetown neighborhood. The resort is located alongside the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (an idyllic stroll for these eager on some cardio to begin the day) on a quiet aspect avenue off Georgetown’s bustling M Avenue, so that you’re near the motion of one in all D.C.’s most-popular neighborhoods with out being overwhelmed.

Runners or these simply on the lookout for a stroll with a view can head only a few blocks south and be on the shoreline of the Potomac River in a matter of minutes.

Checking in

I arrived at Rosewood Washington, D.C. late on a Sunday afternoon and was instantly greeted by a porter who took my baggage and walked me to the small check-in space. The model’s signature residential-style really feel was instantly obvious at this property, because it wasn’t a lot a foyer because it was a cluster of smaller rooms: The principle lobby featured a small seating space, whereas the check-in space was simply two podiums in entrance of a small financial institution of elevators. There was a comfortable library with some seating and a hearth simply off the check-in space.

The employees was pleasant and fast to assist me ebook a dinner reservation at Lower by Wolfgang Puck (extra on that under) earlier than I went upstairs to my premier nook king room. The check-in space is perhaps cozy, however the resort’s smaller room rely seemingly prevents crowding at check-in or checkout.

How a lot Rosewood Washington, DC prices and easy methods to ebook

My keep in a premier nook king room included a complimentary evening in addition to a particular media price, however the identical room begins at $782 per evening via fall. Vacationers can ebook instantly via Rosewood and maintain a watch out for specials and seasonal charges.

Alternatively, these with The Platinum Card® from American Categorical can ebook by way of the American Categorical Effective Lodges + Resorts platform, whereby friends can get pleasure from elitelike advantages like midday check-in, availability-based upgrades, every day breakfast, assured late checkout and a $100 food-and-beverage credit score to make use of on-site.

Rooms at Rosewood Washington, DC

The entry to my premier nook king room was in a quiet, barely eliminated vestibule from the principle fifth-floor hall. The design scheme of the resort leans into impartial tones with pops of enjoyable, just like the colourful portrait of Abraham Lincoln hanging simply outdoors my room.

Inside, I used to be handled to a spacious, well-appointed room that was luxurious with out being overly stuffy. The mirrored cover king mattress was the design focus of the room, and there was a small seating space with a view towards the river.

{Couples} touring collectively have loads of storage inside darkish wooden built-in cabinetry within the lobby of the visitor room, and there have been extras like bathrobes, slippers and a secure for putting valuables.

There was a big workstation within the room, good for taking work calls and consuming breakfast the primary morning of my keep. In-room eating comes from Lower downstairs, and you’ll entry the complete menu of the restaurant. The free Wi-Fi within the room was speedy and able to taking work conferences by way of Zoom, and I appreciated small particulars elsewhere within the room, like electrical shops constructed into the drawers of every bedside nightstand.

Resort data and in-room eating menus had been accessible by way of QR codes on the big TV, and complimentary tea and Nespresso espresso had been obtainable. The minibar on the TV stand had alcoholic drinks and snacks obtainable for a further price.

The expansive lavatory featured a stand-alone soaking tub, a conceit desk for ending touches earlier than going out and a glass-enclosed rainfall bathe. Wall-mounted Diptyque merchandise had been within the bathe, whereas bathtub salts and a tube of Diptyque physique wash (good for bubble baths) had been on a rack hanging on the tub.

Twice-daily housekeeping stored the room in tip-top form all through my keep, and I might discover considerate touches, together with a microfiber towel left beside my laptop computer sooner or later and Rosewood-branded plastic baggage left at turndown my closing evening to retailer liquids earlier than putting these in my carry-on to fly residence, following service.

A mixture of agency and fluffy pillows and Garnier-Thiebaut linens made for restful shut-eye every evening within the king-size mattress, and a bedside contact panel managed lighting in addition to the drapes (making for much more restful sleep because of the blackout shades).

What to eat at Rosewood Washington, DC

The meals is scrumptious and costly at Rosewood Washington, D.C. However hey, that is ultraluxury, child.

Lower Above, the resort’s rooftop bar and lounge, options a mixture of wine, cocktails and small bites. Attempting my hardest to put on my Sally Quinn socialite hat one afternoon, I met a former co-worker upstairs at Lower Above to catch up. A glass of rose set me again $19, which is not low-cost but in addition is not the worst I’ve seen at a D.C. resort — plus, the view was value a bit of worth premium. A lot of the house is beneath a tent, so it feels extra intimate than simply any common rooftop bar.

The true kicker to the resort invoice was anytime I needed to do a meal involving Lower downstairs, the place it was simpler to clear the $100 threshold than it was to stay to a smaller price ticket. However do not let the worth tag deter you: It is a scrumptious place to impress and entertain should you save up for an important day.

The dimly lit restaurant is split right into a lounge space, an expansive bar and an open-concept kitchen and eating room. The secluded banquettes and seating areas gave the entire expertise a clandestine vibe, as if this was the place you go for love, secrets and techniques or, in my case, kicking again with a ebook whereas navigating via a number of programs of dinner.

I adopted the pleasant waiter’s recommendation to begin with some bluefin tuna sashimi ($38) earlier than a principal course of half a grilled Amish rooster ($38), which was served with a chimichurri sauce on prime of a mattress of greens. I added extras like a bread basket ($12) and grilled asparagus ($17). Drinks and cocktails appeared a bit steeper than costs upstairs, as a martini was $30 whereas a glass of Oregon pinot noir was $25.

Service was pleasant and under no circumstances pushy, and it even got here with some pointers for what to order from Lower the following morning for breakfast. The meals was flavorful and much superior to a “common” resort restaurant, however the seafood bar and steaks are clearly the showstoppers right here — I abstained from the latter as a result of I felt like I is perhaps pushing my expense report with the $38 rooster (which was juicy and crispy in all the suitable locations, exhibiting Wolfgang Puck would possibly give Ina Garten competitors within the roast rooster division).

I needed to work early the following morning, so I made a decision to order room service from Lower because the crew had been touting the provision of the complete menu. A number of Rosewood crew members talked about the egg white, sun-dried tomato and goat cheese frittata ($26) as a favourite, so I ordered that together with a aspect of bacon ($12), an iced americano ($8) and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice ($12). You can definitely discover one thing extra reasonably priced within the surrounding blocks of Georgetown, however the supply was quick (lower than a half-hour to reach at my door), and the hearty meal was each bit as scrumptious and filling because it was the handy begin I wanted for a Monday morning.

Whereas I ate dinner out my second evening on the Rosewood, I went downstairs to Lower for my closing breakfast earlier than checkout. The avocado toast ($21) topped with a poached egg was one other hearty eating spotlight amid a sunny begin to the day. Lower appeared to be extra widespread at supper time, nevertheless it additionally gave the impression to be residence to some energy breakfast conferences. Whereas Lower Above was quieter throughout my Sunday afternoon rendezvous with a good friend, it was surprisingly bustling on the Monday evening of my keep — however nonetheless a calming retreat for a nightcap earlier than retiring for the night.

Facilities and issues to do at Rosewood Washington, DC

Vacationers may have lots to do at Rosewood Washington, D.C., however understand that the resort does not have as a lot elbow room as among the model’s different properties around the globe. Whereas I didn’t indulge in a single, you possibly can organize in-room spa therapies. There’s additionally a small health middle on the identical rooftop degree as Lower Above; the all-day facility contains a Peloton bike, a Peloton treadmill, an air bike, free weights and numerous drugs balls. There was a small deck outdoors the gymnasium to stretch or follow yoga alfresco must you want some contemporary air together with your health.

However the true wellness showstopper on the highest flooring is Rosewood’s infinity pool, which is open all day and overlooks the John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts, the Potomac River and the Washington Monument. A built-in fire added an opulent flourish to the smooth, darkish stone pool space’s on-top-of-the-political-world vibe. Throughout the day and early night, doorways are open to permit friends to splash a bit of outdoors, however these are shut throughout in a single day hours.

For these trying to unwind with a ebook outdoors or simply work on a tan, there was a big deck simply outdoors the pool space with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Again downstairs, the resort has complimentary bikes for friends to make use of to pedal across the metropolis and see its many points of interest.

Insider ideas for staying at Rosewood Washington, DC

Listed below are just a few further ideas and issues to know earlier than planning your go to to Rosewood Washington, D.C.:

• Be conscious of peak journey instances to Washington, D.C., as political occasions, faculty graduations and faculty move-in weeks can all ship already expensive nightly charges into the stratosphere.
• Lower is scrumptious, and the employees is enjoyable to speak with — however the restaurant can be very expensive. Get pleasure from a meal right here, however remember to benefit from the surrounding eating scene, too, which definitely has extra selection by way of menu pricing.
• Georgetown College, The Watergate Resort and the John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts are the closest points of interest to the Rosewood and a straightforward stroll. In the event you’re trying to see the White Home, the Washington Monument or the points of interest alongside the Nationwide Mall, plan for a minimum of a 30-minute stroll or take into account hailing an Uber or Lyft.
• Taxis and ride-hailing companies are probably the most handy methods to get to Rosewood Washington, D.C. from both of town’s principal airports. The Foggy Backside-GWU Metro station is the closest subway cease and is an 18-minute stroll from the resort.

Accessibility

Rosewood Washington, D.C. has many accessible options to make this an ultraluxury expertise for all. Some, however not all, of the resort’s accessible options embrace an accessible entry to the resort and thru the foyer as much as visitor rooms. Superior king visitor rooms with roll-in showers and guard rails can be found. Visitor rooms on the second via fifth flooring of the resort are geared up with etched and Braille numbers, whereas corridors on the primary via fifth flooring are geared up with visible and audible alarms.

Resort elevators are geared up with etched and Braille signage. Principal flooring public restrooms are wheelchair accessible and still have etched and Braille signage. Lower, Lower Above and the health middle all have an accessible path of journey.

Backside line

Folks would possibly dream of a decadent getaway to a Rosewood resort in any variety of slices of paradise around the globe, however Rosewood Washington, D.C. proves the luxe model nonetheless punches above the ultraluxury pack in relation to metropolis resorts.

The small room rely meant employees members behaved extra like mates internet hosting you of their Georgetown brownstone for just a few nights. Positive, mentioned mates is perhaps charging a hefty bit for meals and drinks, however you will run into steep bar and restaurant tabs at resorts nowhere as good as this elsewhere in Washington, D.C.

Proximity to energy does not come low-cost, however the privateness, polish and panache of the Rosewood make the nightly charges value it.

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