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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/
Disclaimer: I was graciously hosted by Grand Hyatt DC but as always, opinions are my own.
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The Scene: The Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner is tucked away in McLean, Virginia. You can feel the calming vibe upon arrival with the warm palette of the lobby décor and beautiful fresh flowers everywhere. There is also a discreet entrance to Tyson’s Galleria, the epitome of luxury shopping of the Washington, DC metro area.
The Rooms: The rooms are spacious with a classic décor. I enjoyed the separate sitting area to the bedroom. Given that I work remotely, it is important to me to have a comfortable working space. The room design makes it perfect for that. The only disappointment I found was Wi-Fi for a fee. For a luxury property with so many extras, free Wi-Fi should be a must, especially with so many business travelers. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the lobby and lounge area.
The Location: With the new silver line, getting to Tysons Corner has never been easier if you want to avoid the traffic from Washington, DC. The hotel is equidistant to Washington, DC and Dulles Airport and there are plenty of shopping areas and restaurants to choose from.
The Spa: After two intense weeks of travel, a spa treatment was happily welcomed! Love how the Spa at the Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner is a little oasis in the city. I received a Moroccan Oil scalp treatment with my massage… amazing! After my treatment, I was greeted in the spa lounge with champagne. There, I started chatting with a lovely woman who was indulging in a whole spa day with her friend. She was telling me how this had become a yearly tradition for them. It included multiple treatments, access to the pool, gym, and lunch. She said the quality of the services always made them come back. Dining Traveler Tip: The Spa offers complimentary valet parking if you’re not a hotel guest.
The Food: Any hotel with a Jose Andres restaurant gets my seal of approval. I had lunch at America Eats Tavern which has a unique take on American food using a variety of locally sourced ingredients. My watermelon salad followed by their signature coconut cake was to die for. I also recommend going for a cocktail. Their bar and lounge area is great to catch up with friends.
We also dined at ENTYSE, the wine bar and lounge at the Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner. Don’t be fooled by the title “wine bar”. ENTYSE has an eclectic but delicious full dining menu. Our hostess recommended the pad Thai, which I was hesitant about ordering since the restaurant is not Thai. However, I was surprised, it was absolutely delicious. Another standout were the Korean shrimp tacos. This is another proof not to overlook hotel restaurants!!!
The verdict: Whether you are looking for a staycation or a quiet luxury thirty minutes from Washington, DC, the Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner is a great pick. You can never go wrong with the Ritz Carlton brand (about my Ritz experience in San Juan). Not staying overnight? Definitely take advantage of the spa and dining options!
Disclaimer: I was hosted by the Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner, as always opinions are my own!
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