The Dutchman and I recently took a staycation at the Grand Hyatt DC, a sprawling property in the heart of downtown Washington, DC. As many people who live in large cities can attest, we can become quite complacent with our neighborhood and not venture downtown as often as we should. One of the highlights of our staycation was the excellent location of the hotel as we got to enjoy downtown like tourists. All about our stay:
The Property: I’ll be honest, I am not a big fan of large hotels, but the Grand Hyatt DC does it right. The big skylight in the lobby brings in the natural light, making you feel suddenly happy. Although the hotel was crowded with conference groups, check-in was a breeze and once we entered our room, we were in our little oasis, a quiet space from the madness that is downtown Washington, DC.
The Location: The Grand Hyatt DC is ideal for those who want to discover all the main attractions of Washington, DC by foot or public transportation. There’s a metro stop adjacent to the hotel on the blue line which takes you to all the key sightseeing spots of the area from the Arlington National Cemetery to Capitol Hill. One of my favorite places in the city right now is City Center DC, a new luxury shopping and restaurant area, which in conveniently located in front of the hotel. Don’t miss the aperitivo happy hour at Fig & Olive, indulge at Centrolina, a new Italian restaurant by chef Amy Brandwein, and treat yourself to cake at Raresweets, a local favorite. For the lovers of art, the National Portrait Gallery is a short walk away or wander on a cool summer night at the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art.
The Rooms: We were fortunate to be upgraded to a suite, which was fantastic as it had a separate dining and living area with a spacious bathroom and closet space. Perfect bridal suite or for a business meeting as my husband suggested. The bed was plush and comfortable; it was hard not to sleep in! All in the details: I am a sucker for good toiletries in hotel rooms. I was thrilled to see not only bath toiletries but also facial care products.
Photo Credit: Grand Hyatt DC
The Amenities: The Grand Hyatt DC has a club level, which allows club members and guests staying at the club floor access to continental breakfast, snacks, and a cocktail hour. If you indulge too much (so easy to do in Downtown DC), there’s a well-equipped fitness center and pool at the hotel. Although the hotel doesn’t offer a spa, they do have treatment rooms at the fitness center where they provide massages. I had an epic prenatal massage during my stay.
The Food: I am obsessed with hotel breakfasts. I am not an early riser but if I am traveling for work and I see a good breakfast buffet I WILL wake up early for it. The breakfast at the Grand Hyatt DC Cabinet Restaurant delivered. There was something for every palate offered at the buffet. It had an extensive fruit selection, hot and warm cereals, omelet station, and everything in between. The best part is that the buffet, which includes unlimited juice and coffee is $25, which is an excellent price point in DC. Dutchman and I discussed returning there just for the breakfast. Although the food was yummy, our highlight was the service: the wait staff was super friendly with all of the guests.
The Verdict: Looking for a hotel in downtown DC with access to shopping, public transportation, good food? This is it. Grand Hyatt DC strikes a great balance between great business and leisure hotel with its excellent hotel and amenities. Dining Traveler Tip: Sign up to become a Hyatt Gold Passport member in order to get up to 10% off on your next booking. Booking before July 31st? Get 15% off your stay before September 10th!
Grand Hyatt, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, D.C., USA, 20001; Website: http://washingtondc.grand.hyatt.com/
