The Hay-Adams presidential suite and its views
**The Willard InterContinental.** If we could only choose one presidential hotel, this would be it. It calls itself “The Residence of the Presidents”. From James Polk (1845-1849) to Obama all have maintained very close ties with this grande dame of DC hospitality . Many have used it in the period from when they are elected until they take office and move to the White House, a few meters away.
In the Willard the Inauguration is celebrated in a brutal way. This great event, which opens the term of office of the president, is one of the great social events in the country. This hotel hosts one of the best dances that dot the city on that great night. The façade is covered with hundreds of flags and there are reservations made years in advance. The minimum reservation is four days and, each one of them, the guest receives a different amenity, according to the personality of the new president. Everything from prints from local art galleries to Tiffany jewelry have been given away . It's the perfect place to see the presidential parade: the country's forces make an effort to have their place at the Willard. This year Inauguration Day is scheduled for January 20. Who will be waving in the most armored car of all remains to be seen. Or not.
Willard: for the president's debut
Not all presidents, while organizing their move to the White House, have stayed at that hotel. For example, George Bush (senior) did it in The Madison . This hotel was opened by Kennedy in 1963 and has just been redecorated. It arrives at the right time, with a more contemporary air but happy with its tradition and its political ties. His star suite has the name of a president, of course. It's the Jefferson . It has views of all the presidential domains, all the marble and details of comfort and security that we can imagine. From here you can run a nation.
the jefferson suite
Obama preferred, as president-elect, another hotel . Although you can't go indie as Commander-in-Chief of the United States, he opted for a less predictable one than his predecessors. And it was a statement of intent: it was luxurious, of course, but small and discreet . Some even call it a boutique hotel, even though it had been in Washington for a long time before that label was invented. The Obama family decided to stay at the Hay-Adams . It is more of a secluded hotel than a large bunker. They slept in the Presidential Suite, on the eighth floor. This room is chosen by foreign presidents, high dignitaries and VIPs. The Obamas stayed there for 12 days in 2009. But the most famous thing about this hotel is its bar, Off the Record. Much frequented by politicians and the press, the name alone is fascinating.
Another of the city's presidential hotels is the Omni Shoreham . It is a little further from the White House, in the middle of Rock Creek Park, but it is considered a "historic hotel" in the country and has always had the favor of leaders. Its nine suites are named after presidents and it was even adapted (an elevator and a ramp were added) to the needs of Roosevelt. In his club, The Blue Room, Liza Minelli sang and John and Bobby Kennedy alternated. That bar shouldn't be bad, no.