The noted Washington D.C. architect Vlastimil Koubeck designed today’s iconic Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown building in 1985, originally opened as a Westin hotel property. With pedigree architecture and traditional interior design, the Fairmont, opened in 2002, offers a true European-style atmosphere, similar to the deluxe, sedate properties in London or Paris.

The Fairmont Washington DC Georgetown lobby is spacious and elegant, with abundant natural light, comfortable sitting areas and a lobby bar, which serves food as well from the outdoor courtyard menu.

All 413 guestrooms at the Fairmont have larger-than-average floorplans and original artwork, mostly conveying Washington’s history and politics. Rooms have all the customized furnishings and high-tech amenities that befit a deluxe property. The entire property was involved in a $27 million renovation in 2017, including guestrooms, the Kennedy Ballroom, and one of the largest fitness centers in the city, operated by the D.C. chain Balance Gym.

My king room was extremely comfortable, but I understand the rooms and suites on the hotel’s Gold Floor include access to a Club Lounge with private check-in, a personalized butler, buffet breakfast, and hot and cold canapés and an honor bar in the evening. International and U.S. political leaders, executives and celebrities are frequent guests on the Gold Floor.

Dining options include American comfort food at indoor/outdoor Juniper Restaurant & Courtyard, serving breakfast, lunch and brunch on weekends; as well as the Lobby Lounge and the Courtyard Bar for evening dining. Café tables are placed throughout the courtyard, with heaters as necessary.

One night, when it was too cold to eat outside, even with heaters, I sat at one of the tables near the Fairmont’s Lobby Bar and ordered from its menu a half-roasted Amish chicken with whipped potato, grilled asparagus and sweet cipollini onion, with the hotel’s signature dessert of chocolate fudge brownie and blood orange raspberry purée. Paired with a nice Napa Cabernet, this cozy, quiet and comfortable dining spot was the perfect antidote to a frigid winter night.

The hotel is located in a district called the West End, or Foggy Bottom, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, just north of George Washington University and adjacent to historic Georgetown. It is a 10-minute drive to the White House, the Washington Monument, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Smithsonian museums; and 15–20 minutes (during non-rush hours) to Amtrak’s Union Station and Reagan National Airport. Several Metro stations are within walking distance of the hotel, the closest is Foggy Bottom station (eight minutes). Dozens of eclectic shops, eateries and art galleries can be found on nearby M Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW in Georgetown, a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.

Perhaps the biggest surprise amenity I discovered at Fairmont, and which dog owners will appreciate, is the hotel’s dog-friendly offer that includes chef-made dog treats, a walking map of pet-friendly places in the area and even a pet-centric “do not disturb” sign for the guestroom door. Each time a guest checks in with a dog, the hotel donates 5 percent of the daily rate to the Humane Rescue Alliance, a local organization.

But while many hotels have gone pet-friendly, this property has personalized the effort by adopting a puppy to serve as the hotel’s Canine Ambassador. Now a 3-year-old female Labrador, Georgie has a comfortable part-time job in the hotel lobby where she greets guests during the day, and when her “work” day is over she heads home with the Fairmont’s General Manager for a well-earned sleep.

Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown

2401 M Street Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20037
tel 202 429 2400