The Hay-Adams

Fantastic location (probably the best one in Washington DC) and a magnificent view of the White House from the top floor. Great service too. Very classic / old school in terms of style but it does it very well. The hotel is not gigantic and there is a real sense of personalised service and a cosy feel too. Only negative was a small bathroom (with a bathtub instead of a shower).

We were greeted with a huge smile and hello by Sean, the doorman, as we got out of the car. He walked us into the hotel and made sure we knew where to check in. At the desk we were greeted with a warm hello and an incredibly friendly introduction to our stay at the hotel. Our room was comfortable and perfect with a view of the White House and Washington Monument from our balcony. I wish we had taken the names of all the people we came into contact with who helped us during our stay because each and every person treated us with the utmost respect and they were warm and friendly at the same time. Sean the doorman literally works around the clock and the smile on his face never fades! From the greeting at the door, the service at the restaurants, the housekeeping service in the room, interactions with the concierge to the front desk it was a wonderful experience all around. Absolutely amazing!!

Don’t stay at the Hay-Adams if you require a large bathroom with two sinks, separate shower and tub and a bidet. Stay at the Hay-Adams for its wonderful location, excellent friendly and personalized service, sunny and traditionally decorated room, and the pleasure of knowing you are in a sui generis hotel. My one suggestion would be to allow guests to reserve a table at the Off the Record bar. We tried to go there both before and after a show on a Thursday night and it was so jam-packed that we could barely step into the room, much less snag a seat either at the bar or at a table.

The Hay-Adams epitomizes 5-star -- service and accommodations are exceptional all around. The building is historical and the rooms have a more traditional feel, which we really like. The central location across from the White House is perfect for exploring the many sites and museums around DC and the national mall. Our room was spacious and well-appointed, and the technology was modern and functional. Minor gripes are that some of the USB outlets didn't work, and the door to our room was not well-sealed, so some light and noise from the hallway came in at night. The restaurant and downstairs bar are both terrific, although the bar can fill up quickly. The gym is small but much nicer than other 5-star hotel gyms, both from an equipment (newer Technogym) and cleanliness standpoint. A nice touch is that it overlooks a well-manicured rock garden, vs an unfinished rooftop like many hotel gyms. The front desk and housekeeping staff were always friendly and helpful. We're already looking forward to our next stay at the Hay-Adams!

We prefer to stay 5-star, and for this trip, we wanted something more boutique than a Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton. However, at this room price, we expected more than what we got. The rooms are in dire need of an overhaul. The pros are that the lobby is pretty (but very small), the bar is nice, and the front desk is friendly. The bed linens were nice, and the bed was comfortable. Cons: The room was tired. The bathroom was tiny. The blow dryer is a small travel type with no cold shot button. There was no USB-style charging port to be found anywhere in the room. There was a curious lack of accessible outlets (they are behind the bed!) except for near the floor and nowhere near a table. We had to charge our devices on the floor or in the bathroom. The towels were scratchy. The provided bath toiletries were super perfumey - not a fan. The walls are thin, and you hear everything from the hallway. The business center is a sad afterthought and not a place you want to spend any time.