The Watergate Hotel review: An address that changed American history

The Washington DC hotel that was at the heart of one of the US’s biggest political scandals has been brought up to date with a huge refurb

The exterior of the Watergate

So far as brand recognition goes, is there a more famous hotel anywhere in the world than The Watergate? Though the hotel portion of the wider complex had little to do with the eponymous 1972 scandal that brought down crooked President Richard Nixon, the name reverberated around the globe.

These days, any minor controversy has the “–gate” suffix attached to it, but that all started here when Nixon’s gaggle of goons was sent break into The Watergate to spy on the Democratic National Committee HQ, only to be caught with bugging equipment and wads of dirty money.

You might think the hotel, now reopen after nine years of management changes and renovation travails, would shy away from its scandalous past, but from the moment you check-in, it’s clear they’re making a virtue of it: “No need to break in” read the plastic key cards.


 The Library

That was probably the simplest redesign amid the $200m (£160m) spent on rejuvenating the property. While the exterior is still recognisable (the whole complex is on the National Register of Historic Places) the interior has been changed almost wholesale.

Today there are 336 guest rooms, including 32 suites of varying size. Food and beverage are taken care of with a trident of options: the French-American restaurant Kingbird; the swanky-if-annoyingly-titled The Next Whisky Bar; and the undeniably spectacular Top of the Gate roof-top bar and terrace, which offers 360-degree views across the American capital.


 The Next Whisky Bar

Location

Even if it weren’t for the property’s own history, there’s a sense of being in the heart of the American story, here on the banks of the Potomac River. If you head a mile east, you can hang outside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to wave goodbye to the outgoing Obamas and from there it’s just a short stroll to the Mall, complete with the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the endlessly fascinating Smithsonian Museums.

If you’ve had your fill of culture and history, the banks of the Potomac make for an excellent stroll or run, with the Hains Point peninsula and surrounding park about four miles away.


 The hotel's Kingbird restaurant

Comfort

In a market as competitive as Washington DC’s, it’s no surprise to hear that The Watergate has pushed hard to find its place at the top of the range. The Argentta Spa offers 24-hour gym facilities as well as a decadent spa, while designer Ron Arad was assigned the considerable task of renovating the interior. It’s his hand you’ll notice walking into the bold lobby, laden with sculptures and metal art installations. It’s less clear as to whether or not he’s to blame for the unnecessarily complicated elevator system.

Essentials

The Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington DC, US (001 202 827-1600; thewatergatehotel.com); Doubles from $425 (£340), room only.

Wi-fi: Free
Access: Wheelchair accessible rooms are available
Parking: Valet $52 per day

Rooms: ***
Service: ****
Value: ***