 French
Connection, Washington DC
American
History and European Pedigree
by
Stacie Stukin
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A
Francophile at heart |
The Sofitel
Lafayette Square Washington DC embodies not only the American
history of this capital city but also the French pedigree which
makes it a classic Sofitel property. Situated on the site where
President Andrew Johnson once lived, the historic building is
on a square, named after the French Marquis de Lafayette, who
fought for the colonies and commanded American troops during
the revolutionary war. Later, the same property was bought by
Levi. P. Morton, a New
York banker and congressman, who opened the prestigious Omni
Shoreham Hotel and later helped cement ties between the
United States and France by accepting the Statue of Liberty from the French government
in 1884.
Today,
the classic 1920s Arte Moderne building houses Sofitel Lafayette
Square. When Accor purchased the building in 1999, they scrupulously
preserved the property to conserve the marble floors, the rich
moldings and the gold leaf details that make this hotel a genteel,
grown-up homage to the luxury of Art Deco.
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Elegant
dining |
Contemporary
comfort |
Walking
distance from the White House, minutes from The National Theater,
the Smithsonian Institution, the Convention Center, and various
government agencies and embassies, the hotel’s location
is great for leisure or work. During the week, international
business travelers take advantage of the business center with
Wi-Fi, luxury meeting spaces and first-class cuisine service.
At
night, Le Bar fills up with local revelers from nearby offices
that come to imbibe a wide variety of martinis, listen to contemporary
lounge music and eat appetizers or deserts like the über-rich
chocolate cake for two.
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Le
Bar |
Full
fitness |
The
237 rooms are just as luxe as the rest of the hotel with added
perks like generous workspace, dual-line phones with voicemail,
and tubs in every room. The sleek and comfortable décor
of renowned French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon leaves nothing
undone, from the creamy palette with hints of bold, rich reds.
The thick carpet and velvet curtains give the inescapable feeling
that you are somewhere in 1930s Paris. Book a room on a high
floor facing 15th Street for a nice tree-lined view.
 Going to Washington DC? Check our guide. |
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