The Hay-Adams

I had a wonderful stay at The Hay-Adams! The staff was incredibly attentive and accommodating, making our experience truly special. The location is fantastic, within walking distance of so many historic sites. The hospitality exceeded expectations, and I highly recommend this hotel. I look forward to staying again!

The Hay-Adams lives up to its reputation. Our stay here was exceptional. The staff, location, ambiance, room and hotel amenities, onsite food are all noteworthy. We have stayed in other five star hotels but this one is a notch above all of them.

This historic enclave across from Lafayette Park in Washington, DC was one of the best hotels that I have ever visited. Arrival and departures were seamless as was the food and beverages. Our rooms were spotless with amenities that were luxurious. The staff was professional, kind, and consistent. We loved this place and have already found another reason to return in a couple of months. Off the Record a quaint bar and grill type of eatery were filled was filled with happy servers and great fare.

Lots of hassle and bad news in the first 12 hours: Got a nice room but it was very cold - bout 55 degrees. heat not working. The bellman showing us the room said it was “a bit cool.” 32 degrees out and the system was completely shut down, no digits on the thermostat even. Shown to another, lesser room. Last night, we wrestled with the TV for more than an hour trying to watch Netflix. Used two levels of national phone assistance without success. The service concluded that the hotel’s internet provided was configured wrong with a firewall or something like and that therefore no one here could get any web services on TVs. After that, around 10pm, things went downhill! Preparing for bed and plugging in iPhone and iPad, etc., the special charging/outlet tray on the desk was discovered not to work. There are few outlets in the room, none convenient for charging phones etc., like the special, non-working ones at the desk. Final straw: when I went to call the front desk to get this stuff fixed the next morning, neither phone worked - nada. Got dressed to express irritation and to see if things could be made right tomorrow somehow. Very sorry, could call manager, could send someone up - - but at 10pm and wife in bed trying to get to sleep, it wasn’t the right time. This morning, more of the same. The coffee machine doesn’t work and there is no other coffee until 7am. No free urns in the lobby like $100 a night hotels have. There is a minifridge, but it uses the old trick of jamming it so full of high-cost minibar stuff that nothing can go in it. Terrible. No bottle opener. Everything to separate you from you money, very inconveniently. To be fair, the location is fantastic. And I must say that all the staff have been very nice and welcoming. The pick up at the airport arranged by National Geographic and the Hay Adams was exemplary. Lots of good service, but an old, tired hotel where a lot of technology is wrong and apparently no one notices - staff or guests.

I recently stayed for a few days in January. I love this hotel for its consistently gracious service in addition to the great location, very comfortably appointed rooms, and lovely dining room. My friend and I so appreciated the hot chocolate and warm apple cider that were served in the lobby as we returned each day from our outings in the cold. It's those little touches - and the genuinely thoughtful service of every team member - that keeps me coming back to the Hay Adams whenever I'm in DC.