Luxury Travel Advisor - January 2008 - (Page 33) includes a large dining room table, two sofas—one is a full-size pull-out—coffee tables, arm chairs, an armoire with TV and minibar, a home entertainment center featuring a Bose stereo system and a deluxe marble bathroom. These suites may also be reserved as a two-bedroom suite upon request, with a connecting Church View Room with either one king or two double beds. Other top rooms include the Church View Suites, which overlook St. John’s Church and 16th Street. They feature a separate living room and are complemented by an executive desk and a large marble bathroom to create the ultimate luxury dining experience. Our wine glass was never empty and food seemed to magically appear. The dining room is quite formal, the perfect place to have a truly elegant meal; you won’t find any camera-toting, shorts-wearing tourists here. What we savored most about The Lafayette was the seasonal menu and the care that went into creating every bite of food. We’ve never enjoyed shrimp cooked so perfectly, and the foie gras dressed with a cranberry-and-apple chutney served with toasted brioche and a jerez truffle sauce was simply sublime. Breakfast is served until 11:00 a.m. and usu- THE FEDERAL SUITE’s living room (opposite) overlooks the White House, Lafayette Park and St. John’s Church. The one-bedroom suite has hosted many a political power-gathering. WHITE HOUSE VIEW ROOMS (above) are on the top floors of the hotel; some have an intimate balcony with French doors. with a double sink, separate shower and large soaking tub. The elegant one- or two-bedroom Park View Suites also have great views and can comfortably seat eight guests. They also include a dining table for family dinners and political powwows. White House View King Rooms feature an executive desk, a component audio system, three dual line phones and a marble bathroom. Tip: French doors that open onto small balconies in rooms 806, 808 and 810 are a nice touch. We immediately fell in love with The Lafayette Room, the property’s signature restaurant. Here, impeccable ingredients mesh seamlessly with nearly invisible service ally attracts the city’s top power brokers. After work, the playfully named Off the Record Bar is known as “Washington’s place to be seen and not heard.” This is where many younger staffers come to meet, mingle and network. Head Concierge Jack Nargil is able to respond to any of his guests’ needs and is limited only by their imaginations (insiders say the best way to contact Nargil is by dialing the hotel’s main phone number: 202-6386600). Booking exclusive viewings at one of the Smithsonian museums or arranging a private dinner at an exclusive restaurant is par for the course with Nargil. Tip: A complimentary sedan is offered in the morning and early afternoon to guests on a first-come, first-served basis. The Hay-Adams is also the perfect venue in which to host a memorable event for groups of up to 225. Its Rooftop Terrace offers the only panoramic view of the nation’s capital. The view is stunning, with the White House, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Old Executive Office Building, the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Treasury, the Smithsonian Castle and the Decatur House in sight. Luxury travel advisors who are planning a special event should contact Director of Catering Alison Okobi (202-638-6600, ext. 6151) for assistance. Okobi can tailor the hotel’s more than 6,000 square feet of meeting space and five banquet rooms for parties, galas and weddings. Clients also can enjoy exclusive use of the Rooftop Terrace. The John Hay, the hotel’s ballroom, features rich woodwork, an ornate plaster ceiling from 1927, two working fireplaces, historic tapestries and brass chandeliers. Those visitors with free time will love a stroll around historic Georgetown. There’s great shopping here, as well as many great bars, pubs and restaurants. One place to find really high-end goods is at The Collection at Chevy Chase (www.thecollectionatchevy chase.com), which features stores such as Christian Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, MaxMara, Cartier, Ralph Lauren and Jimmy Choo. Additionally, the National Mall (www. nps.gov/nama) is within walking distance of the hotel; the famous landmark is flanked by the museums of the Smithsonian, including the Air and Space Museum, American Art Museum, American History Museum and many more. (Major memorials honoring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, veterans who served during World War II and the Vietnam War are also here, as is the Capitol, which is also open to the public.) Nearby is Citronelle (www.citronelledc. com), widely known as one of the top restaurants in town. Chef Michel Richard has been celebrated by the likes of the James Beard House. Cooking classes and a variety of special menus are available throughout the year. For VIP needs, contact General Manager Hans Bruland (202-638-6600, ext. 6100) or the property’s director of sales and marketing, Doug Camp (ext. 6141). —Glenn Haussman www.luxuryta.com January 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 33 http://www.thecollectionatchevychase.com http://www.thecollectionatchevychase.com http://www.nps.gov/nama http://www.nps.gov/nama http://www.citronelledc.com http://www.citronelledc.com http://www.luxuryta.com
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