The Watergate Hotel

I was really looking forward to my stay at the Watergate, given the historical nature of the property. While it is billed as a luxury property, in reality, it really needs some attention. The guest room, on 99 degree days, had a barely-functioning air conditioning unit that couldn’t put out cool air. The towels were mostly worn and in some cases threadbare. The furnishings and fixtures are showing wear. The shower had the excellent water pressure, and was large and well-appointed. (Who doesn’t love a good hotel bathroom?!) The rooftop bar, Top of the Gate, presents itself as exclusive, with cocktail prices to match; their drinks are $25+ and are the weakest pours I’ve ever had. The view is nice on clear evenings, but we were seated at 9:30 and told it was last call. Okkkkk, thanks for making us feel welcome when your hours are listed as open until midnight! The location is very close to Embassy Row and Georgetown is a quick 15 minute walk away. Other than those redeeming factors, there isn’t much to justify the price per night, plus a resort fee, for amenities that aren’t even open.

Staying at the hotel for 10 days. Second day I called front desk to ask for extra towels and coffee. Got no answer. Called housekeeping, same thing. Every department I called had no answer. Then I went to the front desk and filed an official complaint for the lack of service for $350 a night and asked for them to bring up towels and coffee while we were at a friend's place. When we got back...no towels and. O coffee. Then I called front desk and complained again, asking for towels and coffee. The representative really did not seem to care about the issue. His tone was similar to one of an employee who really does not care about the organization. So after a whole day of perpetually asking for towels and coffee, I was not given any towels or coffee. 10 days, $350 a night. $3500.....and I can't get a FREAKING TOWEL. As an ex General manager of hotels, I am extremely disappointed and appalled at the level of service. I WILL NEVER STAY HERE AGAIN AND AM SEARCHING FOR A NEW HOTEL TO SWITCH TO.

Really wanted to love this hotel, but just can not recommend anyone go there. Do want to commend the valet, front door, room service and Fenny at the front desk on May 31 early morning. First of all, the lobby is small dark and cramped, so don't expect to feel welcome. The rooms are large, but ours did not have hot water for 2 of the 3 mornings and the bed was hard as a rock. The roof top bar was closed to due the weather, so we tried the Lobby bar - the prices are obscene. We received a welcome letter and upgrade to a balcony room thanks to Amex but the room had no view, except of the old Watergate West building which looks about to crumble. The letter and the front desk failed to inform us there was no housekeeping. We were surprised when we returned from a day at Arlington Cemetery that no one had cleaned the room, removed towels, etc. We had just come from Brooklyn NY and Jacksonville, those hotels had housekeeping Blaming Covid is no excuse for lack of service while you are still charging full price. We called the front desk for towels, they said housekeeping would come in the morning. They did not. So we called again for towels and to report there was no hot water. The towels arrived, the hot water did not. You need a car to stay here, there is nothing safe within walking distance as there is now a homeless camp between the hotel and Georgetown. There are many many other options in DC - choose anyone - just not here.

Staying at The Watergate has been a longtime dream of my dad's. He had originally wanted to stay the whole weekend. However, having been disappointed by destination 5 star hotels recently, we talked him into only staying one night. The experience was bad from the moment we arrived. There were surface issues, like the room not being ready, the condition of the rooms once "ready", and the breakfast spread that looked like it came from an airline surplus store. But most of all, after a year like 2020, we did not expect to feel so unwelcome. My parents were treated like second class citizens their entire time there, in a world class hotel, at the heart of America. I don't want to call it racism, but it sure felt like it. Location is great, close to historic national landmarks.

Conveniently located Georgetown and DC, great views of Potomac River, friendly staff, biked to dc with their free bike rentals, can schedule to see scandal room tour in Watergate whic was neat, rooms renovated.