The Watergate Hotel

The Watergate Hotel is at 2650 Virginia Avenue NW, in the Foggy Bottom and Watergate area of Washington, DC, United States, on the banks of the Potomac River. The hotel is part of the Watergate complex, a well-known modernist development in the capital, and sits next to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station is about a 10-15 minute walk, and Georgetown, the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall are within reach on foot or by a short ride. The hotel has a retro-modern look, with curving architecture and contemporary design that echoes the era of the complex while updating its interiors. Rooms are categorized as Deluxe Rooms, River View Rooms and Suites, with river views a major draw for guests who want an outlook over the Potomac. Facilities include a spa, an indoor pool, a fitness center and valet parking. Dining and drinking focus on the hotel restaurant and a rooftop bar overlooking the river, which is popular in warmer months for sunset views and attracts non-guests as well. The hotel serves leisure travelers, couples and visitors attending events at the Kennedy Center, and its design makes it stand out from the more traditional hotels downtown. Service is polished and contemporary, with a concierge desk to assist with tickets, tours and restaurant bookings. Nightly rates generally run from about $300 to $700 USD, with peaks in spring and during major events. Visitors should expect a location that is somewhat removed from the central business district, so walking to Penn Quarter or the White House takes longer than from the downtown hotels, but the riverfront and the Kennedy Center are close at hand. The Rock Creek Park trail and the riverside path are good for walks and runs, and the Georgetown waterfront is a short distance along the river. Summer evenings on the rooftop are busy, so early arrival helps.