Capital Idea

If a trip to the nation's capital is in your future and you're looking for luxurious digs, consider the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown.

The postmodernist- style hotel was designed by Vlastimil Koubek, one of Washington's most influential architects, whose work on nearly 100 buildings has shaped the city's skyline since the late 1950s.

Opened in 1985, the 10-story hotel packs enough elegance and charm to match any of the city's stately embassies. Located in an area called Foggy Bottom, north of George Washington University and next to the Georgetown neighborhood, the Fairmont is less than two miles from the White House and the Washington Monument. Dozens of stores and galleries can be found on nearby M Street in Georgetown.

All rooms at the Fairmont are grand, but the preferred room for foreign dignitaries and celebrities is the Presidential Georgetown Suite. Designed with royalty and powerful executives in mind, the suite has a grand foyer, a large living room, a king bedroom, a lounge area, a butler's pantry and two bathrooms. Those who bunk here – or in any suite on the Fairmont Gold Floor – are granted private check-in, a personalized butler, concierge services and access to an exclusive club lounge serving daily breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres.

Fresh off a $27 million dollar renovation, the 413-room Fairmont looks better than ever. The first phase of the redo involved guest rooms, including the exclusive Fairmont Gold Floor, and the conversion of the executive forum amphitheater into the 2,900-square-foot Kennedy Ballroom.

Designers from Wimberly Interiors of New York were inspired by Washington, D.C., itself and gave rooms a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic conveying politics and power. Modern furnishings are combined with classical detail pieces. No typical working desks are to be found in rooms. Instead, guests will find an inviting chaise and a round table that can be used for dining or as a flexible working space. Marble bathrooms feature large walk-in showers and expansive vanities. Artworks in guest rooms reflect the city's history and importance, reinforcing the hotel as the central location for visitors and local power players. 

The lobby, loggia and courtyard garden, all targeted during the second phase of the redesign, were designed by Dallas-based ForrestPerkins. Inspiration for the lobby design and color scheme came from the geometry of an aerial view of Washington. A geometrically abstracted map of the city in warm gold tones with brushed, polished and satin finishes can be found behind the front desk. The geometry theme is also brought into many pieces of furniture.

A grand staircase anchors the U-shaped bar, which seats up to 16 and offers sweeping vistas of the large lobby, loggia and urban courtyard garden.

An array of rejuvenating experiences is provided for guests, ranging from working out in the fitness center to swimming in the indoor pool to kicking back in the serene courtyard. And there's some sweet buzz about what's happening far above the fitness center and pool.

"Rooftop honeybees at the Fairmont provide Georgetown with about 150 pounds of honey each year," says Diana Bulger, the hotel's public relations director. "The honey is used in our signature honey walnut bread and BeeTini."

When it comes time to venture off the property, a host of options awaits. Besides visits to the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial or the White House, guests often choose to attend one of the free daily shows at the nearby Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Other popular outings include visits to the Phillips Collection, a boutique art gallery in a historic townhome (the gallery has an acclaimed permanent collection showcasing impressionist and contemporary art), or the President Woodrow Wilson House, where Wilson lived after his presidency.

Pet owners will appreciate the Fairmont's dog-friendly policy and a special package that includes chef-made dog treats, a walking map of pet-friendly places in the area and even a special pet "do not disturb" sign for the door. Each time guests check in with a dog, the hotel donates 5 percent of the daily rate to the Humane Rescue Alliance, a local organization that protects and advocates for animals.

Signature dishes and cocktails at the hotel's Juniper restaurant, stylish rooms and easy access to cultural attractions make the Fairmont a smart choice for visitors. O

Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown is located at 2401 M St. N.W., Washington, D.C. For information, call 202-429-2400 or visit fairmont.com/washington.