Willard Wows: DC’s Grand Dame Gets a Dazzling Glow-Up

The Willard InterContinental, Washington’s storied “Residence of Presidents,” just turned a $$$$ page in its 207-year-old playbook, and the results are pure capital chic.

Perched proudly at 14th & F since 1818, this power-player playground now pairs polished history with modern panache thanks to Parker-Torres Design’s meticulous makeover.

Fully refreshed Signature Suites salute the city’s changemakers: Eleanor Roosevelt’s irises bloom across bespoke murals; Julia Ward Howe’s “Battle Hymn” passion-flowers sing from the walls; and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s black roses honor a legacy of education and equality.

Four freshly finessed Presidential Suites [Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington, Roosevelt] blend silk drapes, quartzite stone, and wool rugs for history-steeped grandeur.

The 335 guest rooms (69 suites, 14 one-of-a-kind stunners) feel like luxe pieds-à-terre: soft blues, fresh neutrals, hardwood floors, and custom rugs whisper refinement while winking at the Willard’s rich past.

Oval Suites tip their hats – often floral ones – to trailblazing women and theater greats like Helen Hayes and Frederick Douglass, underscoring DC’s enduring art-and-activism edge.

From Mint Julep Masterclasses to timeless Afternoon Tea, the hotel’s new Incredible Occasions program ensures every fête feels first-class and firmly rooted in the Willard’s legacy of landmark events.

With this breathtaking renovation, the Willard isn’t just preserving history, it’s polishing it for the next generation of power brokers, politicos, and party planners.

DC’s grand dame? Still dazzling. And now, decidedly more divine.