Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square

Stay: January 15–17, 2025 The Sofitel Lafayette Square Hotel in Washington, DC, enjoys an enviable location right in the heart of downtown. Situated near the White House, a host of excellent restaurants, entertainment venues, and commercial buildings, it’s an ideal base for exploring the city, whether for business or leisure. The hotel’s overall ambiance reflects the charm and elegance one would expect from the Sofitel brand, and many of the staff exude the friendliness and helpfulness that elevate the guest experience. However, my stay was a mixed experience. Upon arrival, I was disappointed by the check-in process, which felt impersonal and indifferent. The staff member assisting me could hardly have been more blasé, leaving me with a less-than-warm first impression. Once in my room, I encountered another frustration: the lighting. Flicking the light switch did nothing to illuminate the space, as each individual light needed to be turned on separately. The most significant inconvenience, though, was the failure of the front desk to provide wake-up calls—despite acknowledging my requests—on two consecutive mornings. For a hotel catering to business travelers, this lapse is especially disappointing and disruptive. While the bathroom was well-appointed, it would have been a thoughtful touch to include bath salts or bubble bath beside the tub to enhance the luxurious feel of the space. Despite these shortcomings, the hotel’s location and general service quality make it a compelling option. With a few tweaks—especially ensuring more attentive service at check-in and wake-up call reliability—this Sofitel could shine as brightly as its prestigious address suggests.

My first stay at a Sofitel Hotel and it was amazing. The room was comfortable and actually had enough lighting for you to read a book and appear clearly on Zoom calls.

So pleased with my stay. I was traveling for business and my college-aged son accompanied me. He loved the location, walking everywhere: Smithsonian museums, the Mall, Tidal Basin. My conference was at the Ritz. I preferred the dining at the Sofitel, by far. Breakfasts were delicious with super fresh greens with croque madame. The French Press coffee was superb (as other reviewers note). The weeknight happy hour was nice with a good light menu. Service was excellent. St. John’s Episcopal Church is very close and we felt very welcomed as we attended a service.

Overall it’s a nice hotel very close to the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. The only part that was unusual was when a naked man was walking around the lobby. It was an interesting experience when that person got into the elevator we were using.

Great staff, big room, good food, great location. We stayed for 2 nights. The staff was very accommodating as we had an early train on the last day. They substituted our breakfast credit to a dinner credit. Thanks to Andre at the front desk. We would stay there again as it's good value for money.