Sofitel Washington, D.C. Lafayette Square
806 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States
Why We Like It
We love the nod to history, with the Americana and Parisian touches illuminating Washington's historical link to the French--it was a Frenchman, after all, who designed the city's layout (and they helped bail us out during the Revolutionary War). That said, there are plenty of modern touches (funky light fixtures, unexpected accents of chartreuse and turquoise) to keep it from getting too stodgy. When you think about it, it's all very Jackie O.
Fodor's Expert Review
This stately boutique, French-owned hotel takes its cue from the nearby White House, with its eye-catching, French-accented, American heritage decor. A meticulously detail-oriented staff, chic (albeit somewhat petite) guest rooms, and the ICI Urban Bistro beloved for its creative French dishes are just some of the reasons guests keep coming back.
Tip Ask room service for a complimentary, in-room coffee/tea machine.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
The rooms are spacious and sumptuous, designed with the nearby White House's Red Room in mind. Ultra luxurious amenities include Bose sound system and a 55-inch flat-screen TV. Many guests claim they've gotten their best night sleep ever here.
You Should Know Many of the rooms have internal views, making them somewhat somber.
Bathroom
Luxurious marble bathrooms feature bathtubs and separate rainfall showers.
Lobby
There's not really a lobby, just two little alcoves with seating near the registration desk, with additional bench seating along the entrance hallway. That said, the alcoves are beautifully furnished, evoking rooms in the nearby White House.
Pool
There's no pool.
Spa
There's no spa.
Gym
There's a modern fitness center.
Dining
The casual-chic Ici Urban Bistro serves up New American fare with a French twist in a contemporary, red-splashed setting adorned with modern art.
Drinking
Masterful mixologists at Le Bar create innovative cocktails for DC’s power elite; light bites include sandwiches, charcuterie, and five varieties of fries.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The Sofitel is located in the heart of downtown DC, just a couple blocks from the White House, with the city's major monuments and museums an easy walk away. Parking is expensive and traffic can be horrendous; you're better off relying on cabs and public transportation. The McPherson Square metro station is just a block away.
Restaurants
The Lafayette Room at the nearby Hay-Adams (4-min walk), noted for its impeccable service and White House views, is especially popular among the power elite; the menu features upscale contemporary American cuisine. Steaks, seafood and the legendary dishes of Joe’s Stone Crab, a Miami-based restaurant established a century ago, are served up at Joe's Seafood Prime Steak and Stone Crab (1-min walk), just across the street.
Bars
The trendy (and sometimes snooty) POV at W rooftop bar (5-min walk) has panoramas over the White House and the National Mall; the views are especially spectacular in the evening, when the monuments glow with ethereal white light. An Orient Express essence pervades the luxurious St. Regis Bar (5-min walk), with its Chesterfield leather sofas, archway doors and soft lighting.
Photos
Quick Facts
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