Washington, D.C., is a year-round business and tourist destination. The Jefferson Hotel’s name salutes the nation’s third president, as does its location, just blocks from the White House. Though the elegant porte cochère reflects the 1923 Beaux-Arts period, the interior décor nods to its namesake. Tall, white columns stud the checkered floor of the lobby and a curved skylight tops The Greenhouse restaurant where Washingtonians and visitors are secluded behind a wall of plants. To the right, two reception desks and an antique table holding drinks sit in front of a gold-framed mural of Thomas Jefferson’s adored Monticello. From its perch on a raised windowsill, a bust of Jefferson adds to the ambience. Hotel historian Susan Lagon was available to point out the original signed documents, framed maps, busts of other notable American figures including Benjamin Franklin, and the library shelves in the Book Room, lined with leather-bound volumes. This is one of a series of intimate, private rooms accommodating up to 80 guests for meetings, receptions and events. The Quill bar, where the house pianist, Peter Robinson, often entertains, offers creative cocktails and a grill menu served indoors and out. The Plume Restaurant, the only Forbes 5-star restaurant in Washington, D.C., is an elegant space in which Executive Chef Ralph Schlegel’s seasonal menu is inspired by ingredients once harvested at Monticello. The restaurant serves artfully presented dishes with wines from a strong wine list reflecting Jefferson’s fondness for French wines. Among the 95 guestrooms, two of the 23 suites are on the top floor and boast 9-foot ceilings and French doors opening to exceptional views. My accommodation was elegantly appointed and decorated with traditional American furnishings and neutral tones; white molding accented painted walls, and tall drapes fell from behind upholstered cornices fronting the windows. The smartly designed Italian marble bathroom was outfitted with an in-mirror TV and walk-in shower. The Petite Spa is an intimate space featuring botanical products and services within three treatment rooms. The private entry foyer to the couple’s suite includes a connecting door to a bedroom suite, making it ideal for couples who appreciate privacy and spa therapies. Among the many complimentary services — including WiFi, international phone calls, the business and fitness centers and commuter-hour car service — the luxury amenities feature Clefs d’Or Concierges, 24-hour room service, same-day laundry services, access to a nearby fitness center and pool, and the parking garage. The hotel ranks second among the city’s finest boutique hotels according to U.S. News & World Report.

The Jefferson Hotel

1200 16th St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036