InterContinental the Willard Washington D.C. by IHG

Perhaps the most beautiful hotel. We really enjoyed Peacock Alley. Very nice rooms and lovely staff. Central location to WH and National Mall.

One of the most storied hotels in Washington, D.C. is the Willard Hotel. In a city where everyone describes locations being "steps away from The White House," the Willard has been literal steps from The White House since the early 19th century. Presidents like President-elect Abraham Lincoln stayed here as well as Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson. MLK edited the final version of his "I Have A Dream" speech from the lobby, where the term "lobbyists" was coined decades before. Many, many, many stories emerge from the Willard. (A small museum inside tells these stories and more.) My wife, eight-year-old daughter and I stayed here one night as a birthday staycation. Here's our experience. 1) Check-In: It's very easy. At the grand reception desk, we had room keys within minutes. Parking is harder to find in the area, but not impossible on the street. If you're okay spending $78 a night, there's a parking garage with valet service. When we walked into our room, there was a welcome spread of snacks, wine, and Honest Kids juice for my daughter. 2) Rooms: Each floor has suites named after famous figures like Frederick Douglass and Eleanor Roosevelt. Our room was 844 and it came with a living room, a little kitchen, two bathrooms, and a bedroom with two queen sized beds. Everything was very comfortable and nice. 3) Amenities: There's a gym and spa on the second floor, a famous bar, a grand lobby, breakfast at Cafe du Parc and more. Nearby are many sites like the World War I Memorial, the Milken Institute, and more.

My personal favourite, the Willard is steeped in history but perfectly at home in the 21st century. It was a blast stepping back in time just by sitting in the lobby. Theodore Roosevelt to my right chatting with Grant's infamous lobbyists about how to finish the Panama Canal. To my left is Dr. King, pensive and hopeful, making his last edits to I Have a Dream. Attentive staff, curated artwork, thoughtful decor and beautiful spaces like Peacock Alley and the Ballroom make the Willard a dreamscape no matter the season. We typically visit around 7 January and love that the Christmas trees are still up at that time for the past few years. When work returns me to Washington, the Willard will once again be home.

"Greetings, ​I hope you are doing well. Our relationship has always been built on mutual respect, and because I truly care about you, I wanted to share some thoughts about Islam. ​I have found great peace in this faith, which holds Jesus and his mother Mary (peace be upon them) in high regard and calls for the worship of one God and noble character. I invite you, with an open heart, to read about Islam or explore its meanings. I am always here for any friendly conversation or questions you may have. ​Wishing you all the best." ​Would you like me to adjust the tone to be more formal or more casual?

Great hotel located next strategic location in the heart of DC. This is a historic building withvunique decor. We attended a reception for my cousin's songs wedding. The hors d'oeuvres were great very attentive staff. The atmosphere was comfortable but grand. The reception hall was very nicely decorated the tables are beautiful with centerpieces. The dinner was tasty. How was worried about parking my vehicle but the valet parking was easier than I expected.

Was in the area for work and wanted to see the place where Edeard F Beale attacked his former boss, George Manypenny in 1854. Based on limited experience with the place, it is very impressive. The bar is unique. Not sure what else I can say. Definitely something to see for yoself

Loved the tea experience! The afternoon tea experience and atmosphere was by far better than experiences at St Regis, Entyse (Ritz Carlton), & Lady Camellia, but the menu (sweet nor savory) here did not quite surpass the others. The tea was good though...

Unacceptable for a 5-star InterContinental. On January 3rd at around 5:00 PM, I had a deeply disappointing interaction with the bell/luggage staff that undermined my entire stay. The staff member brought two of my bags and appeared ready to send me on my way. I calmly asked about my third piece of luggage, expecting a simple professional response such as, “Yes, it’s coming,” or “One moment, we’re bringing it now.” Instead, he responded with a mocking smile and said nothing—only for the third bag to arrive a few seconds later. I was asking politely because I genuinely thought there might have been confusion. There was nothing unreasonable about the request. What made it unacceptable was the micro-aggressive, dismissive attitude—a smile that felt like ridicule rather than service. In a luxury hotel, basic respect and clear communication are the minimum standard. It’s frustrating to end a New Year stay this way: not because luggage handling is “the most important” service, but because one rude, disrespectful interaction can erase an otherwise good experience. I travel frequently and spent more than four months in hotels last year, across major brands including Hyatt and Marriott, and I have never encountered this kind of behavior at top-tier properties. This experience unfortunately reinforces what many reviews have been saying: IHG service standards appear to be slipping.

We had an absolutely wonderful experience with the Willard, and I truly can’t recommend them enough. We held our wedding here, and the space itself is stunning, elegant, timeless, and was the perfect backdrop for our special day. I want to give a huge thank you to Micheal, who we worked with during the contract process and coordination with the hotel. He was incredibly helpful every step of the way. He was responsive, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure everything was clear and seamless. We also want to highlight Moses, who made such a lasting impression on us. My fiancé’s birthday fell on our wedding day, and he surprised my now-husband with a cupcake to celebrate, which was such a thoughtful and personal touch. Throughout the wedding day, he was attentive, kind, and always made sure both we and our families were well taken care of. The entire staff went above and beyond. The staff overall all were consistently checking in on us, making sure everything was running smoothly, and ensuring we could fully enjoy the moment. It truly felt like they had thought of every detail—from packing us an anniversary cake to bringing our dinners up to our room after the reception in case we didn’t get a chance to eat. Their level of care, professionalism, and attention to detail made all the difference. We’re so grateful for everything they did to make our day unforgettable.

My husband and I were chasing a Home Alone 2 fantasy. Lost in New York energy, but in DC. Christmas robes. Snacks packed. Jenny Lind Suite booked. That jetted tub was supposed to earn its keep. The room: genuinely beautiful. The technology: aggressively dated. The vibe: a 90s time capsule, complete with missing doorknobs. There was effort here, but it felt like the hotel was holding its breath, afraid any real investment might trigger the next recession. What they got right: The bellhops were fantastic. Warm, personable, fun. Truly the highlight. Most staff we interacted with were polite and willing to help, which made the gaps elsewhere even more confusing. What they got wrong (beyond the dated room and tech): For a hotel that loudly advertises luxury service, the customer experience fell flat. Outside of the arrival bowl of fruit, nothing felt elevated. Night two, we ordered pizza and planned a cozy Home Alone movie night. The technology made streaming impossible. Fine, cable it is. We called the concierge and asked for two plates. Just two. The answer was a flat no. We were told to walk down to the lobby restaurant and see if they might have plates “to spare.” I’m sorry, what? The next morning, room service arrived… with someone else’s order. It was corrected, but for a luxury hotel, that kind of miss is surprising. Housekeeping came through, but only halfway. The coffee and minibar were never restocked. In a suite. At a luxury hotel. This is table stakes. At 9:30 PM we stopped by the lobby circle bar. It was immediately clear the bartenders did not want to be there. I get it, service work is hard. Still, opening our interaction by warning us about last call at 11 set a strange tone. By 10:00, one bartender disappeared for 45 minutes. No refills. No check-in. No bill. Breaks are important. Coverage is also important, especially when you’re selling a premium experience. Beyond the bellhops, much of the staff felt irritated to be present. Front desk to concierge, the energy was less “historic luxury hotel” and more “counting down the minutes.” The hotel was also clearly prioritizing weekend tea and brunch revenue, to the point that the historic lobby was clogged with extra tables and largely unusable for actual hotel guests. Bottom line: this was not a luxury experience, and I would not recommend it. I’m only posting this publicly because I reached out directly to hotel management and never received a response. At that point, a review feels necessary.