Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. Review

Our Verdict: “Grand on the outside and splendidly opulent on the inside”

Staying at the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. gave us a rare opportunity to step into a historic architectural marvel that’s grand on the outside and splendidly opulent on the inside. The hotel occupies the iconic Old Post Office building, originally built in 1899, which boasts stunning Romanesque Revival architecture. While it was refurbished by Donald Trump, much of the decor and trim from that era remains, retaining a sense of gilded decadence. The interiors are sleek and luxurious, with Trump’s signature touches of gold accents scattered throughout, alongside custom furnishings that blend historical charm with modern luxury.

Despite its grandeur, the hotel was remarkably quiet during our stay, and the privacy of the rooms made it feel as though we were the only guests. People come here not for a plethora of facilities but to stay somewhere steeped in history – a slice of Washington, D.C.’s past brought to life in one of the city’s most impressive buildings, with highlights like the 315-foot clock tower still standing proud above the city.

In this review:

• Hotel Summary
• Location
• Check-in
• Our Room
• Facilities & Services
• Food and Beverage
• Check-out
• BG1 Verdict

Hotel Summary

Name: Waldorf Astoria
Location: Washington D.C.
Hotel Class: ☆☆☆☆☆
Chain: Hilton
Loyalty Programme: Hilton Honors
Room Type:
Room #:
Price bracket: £££££
Competing brands: Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Park Hyatt, Rosewood
Good for: Couples

Location

The hotel is located in one of the fancier parts of D.C., and we felt perfectly safe walking around the area at any time of day. Its central location is perfect for sightseeing, with the Washington Mall and key landmarks like the White House just a short walk away. The National Archives, Smithsonian Museums, and Ford’s Theatre are all within three blocks of the hotel, making it an ideal base for exploring the city’s rich history. We found it particularly handy for early morning appointments for some of the major landmark tours. With a metro station not far away, it’s easy to get around, but if you prefer exploring on foot, many of D.C.’s must-see sights are “walkable-ish” from the hotel.

Check-in

Check-in was smooth and efficient. The porters were quick to assist with our bags, which added a touch of ease after travelling. To our delight, we were upgraded to a bigger room, and a member of staff personally escorted us to our massive suite.

Accessing the rooms was an experience in itself: we passed through the grand central lobby, with its towering ceiling, before riding the gold-trimmed elevators up to our floor. From there, we crossed plush carpets and walked along the internal balconies that overlook the impressive atrium below, giving us a bird’s-eye view of the stunning architecture as we made our way to the room.

Room

We were upgraded to a Junior Suite with a king bed, but our initial room was so expansive and empty that it felt more like a ballroom than a hotel room – and it didn’t help that the carpets were stained. After snapping a few photos and sharing them with the manager via the Hilton Honors app, we were swiftly moved to a much better room.

The second room was beautifully appointed, with furniture in all the right proportions and a comfortable bed with high-quality sheets, making for a great night’s sleep.

The bathrooms were big, grand, and downright opulent – we’re still not sure if those gold taps were actually gold-plated, but it wouldn’t surprise us!

All rooms have enormous windows, offering bright views of the streets on one of the hotel’s four sides. Our room also featured a panoramic bay window complete with a elegant desk.

Internally, each room is accessed through balconies that wrap around the enormous lobby, giving you a sense of just how much space this historic building holds.

Facilities & Services

As an inner-city hotel, there’s no pool, which was a bit of a letdown, though there is a gym and spa treatment area in the basement. The gym is open 24 hours and is fully equipped with modern machines and free weights. The Waldorf Astoria Spa offers bespoke treatments, including massages, facials, and beauty therapies, perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. We would’ve loved a more accessible spa on the ground floor for guest use without needing bookings. The concierge and housekeeping services were both prompt and helpful throughout our stay, and any requests we made via the Hilton Honors app were addressed swiftly. Valet parking was available for a charge.

Bars & Dining

Our rate at the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. didn’t include breakfast, but thanks to our Hilton status, we received a dining credit, giving us the flexibility to try a few different restaurants. Breakfast was à la carte, and on the first morning, we dined in Peacock Alley, located in the atrium. Another morning, we tried The Bazaar by José Andrés, but despite the hype, the food was underwhelming and the service slow – the server seemed to be managing the entire restaurant alone.

We found the breakfast in Peacock Alley much better, both in terms of food quality and service. In fact, dining in the hotel’s impressive daylight-filled central lobby is a must-not-miss part of a stay. In-room dining was also available through the 24-hour room service, though we didn’t use it on this visit. There was also a sushi restaurant attached to the hotel, but we’d eaten so much fish on the Outer Banks that we didn’t fancy it this time around!

Check-out

Standard check-out time was 11 am, and the process was quick and hassle-free. The lobby staff were helpful and responsive, addressing any last-minute questions or requests we had with professionalism and courtesy. While the hotel had already charged our card on file the night prior to our departure, they were fine to refund this when we presented a different card to settle the bill (one that didn’t charge expensive foreign exchange fees!). It was a smooth and accommodating end to a luxurious stay.

BG1 Verdict

The Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. is in an excellent location for exploring the Washington Mall and its famous landmarks. It’s iconic and undeniably glamorous, though it feels like it’s missing a bit of soul. While the hotel may lack in terms of facilities and atmosphere, it makes up for it with sheer grandeur and a warm welcome. We were glad to have experienced staying in such a historic and luxurious building, even if it didn’t quite deliver on every front.