Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC.

Discover the flawless hospitality of Washington’s premier hotel. Unequalled attentiveness and gracious service attract business and leisure guests, dignitaries and celebrities alike to this legendary Pennsylvania Avenue luxury retreat in prestigious Georgetown.

For those who want Georgetown’s panache without its clamor, the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C., is an ideal retreat. Situated at the tip of Georgetown, where Pennsylvania Avenue NW meets M Street NW, the hotel is situated in a somewhat residential section of this trendy neighborhood, close to the banks of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. The property’s Federal-style red brick façade fits in well with the historic Georgetown buildings.

For business travelers, the White House is just 12 blocks away, and the downtown K Street corridor lies just beyond this landmark. Those in town for fun will also feel at home at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C., with the art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, and cafes that make Georgetown perfect for strolling located just steps from the front door. The hotel is just far enough from the bustling crossroads of M Street and Wisconsin Avenue NW to keep the crowds and clatter in check. For getting around town on the train, the Foggy Bottom Station is a five-block, 12-minute walk from the hotel. When available, a complimentary house car drops off, but does not pick up, guests.

Along with being a good choice for business travelers, the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown location, décor, and manageable scale appeal to romance seekers and families as well. The hotel welcomes guests with greenery and gardenlike spaces. Stands of leafy, petrified bamboo “grow” from a bed of smooth, gray river stones on either side of the entranceway, green plants line the front of the lobby, and a row of bamboo edges the window-lined Garden Terrace Lounge at the lobby’s far end. This lounge, as well as the other public areas, has wireless Internet capabilities so guests can relax over afternoon tea or evening drinks and still log on. In good weather, guests can enjoy the flower bedecked courtyard, a plus in a city hotel. More than 2,000 pieces of contemporary art add interest to the public spaces.

As part of the Four Seasons’ Very Important Kids’ program, guests ages 2 through 11 can pick a plush animal from a big wicker basket at check-in. In the room, children will find a chocolate chip cookie topped with M&Ms, gummy worms, and his or her name written in chocolate. The treat appears on a Four Seasons Frisbee along with two apple juice boxes, balloons, and copy of the children’s menu. Guests 12 through 16 get popcorn, two sodas, and an array of teen magazines when they arrive. Be sure to inform the reservations agent if you’re arriving with children so these gifts can be ready when you check in.

All guest rooms feature top-quality linens, an abundance of towels, fluffy robes, and luxuriously soft throws. The hotel offers deluxe, premier and the slightly larger grand premier rooms, as well as junior suites, one- or two-bedroom suites, and five presidential suites ranging in size from 1,300 square feet to 3,525 square feet. Guests have complimentary access to the three-level fitness center that offers cardio and strength-training equipment and a lap pool. The top-notch spa offers massages and various treatments.

The outstanding service at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. began as soon as you arrive. The covered driveway accommodates four lanes so that cars and taxis can drop guests off without a wait. The bellman immediately took the luggage from your trunk, escorted you to the front desk, and introduced you to the agent who confirmed your information. After a quick and efficient check-in, the front desk person walked you through the lobby, pointing out the lounge, explaining the business center hours, and giving you directions to the pool.

The staff was warm and welcoming, and the service was excellent except for a few deficiencies. The Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. has 211 guest rooms, including 51 suites. The East Wing rooms, renovated and enlarged as part of a 2005 $25 million renovation, are more contemporary than the larger, more traditionally furnished West Wing rooms. The Pierre-Yves Rochon-decorated East Wing rooms feature lilac and celadon hues, lavender fabric headboards, dark wood bureaus, and light wood desks. The West Wing rooms, with weighty, tasseled drapes, dark wood headboards, and gold and blue décor, may seem elegant or “stuffy” depending on your taste. Slated to be redone in 2007, these rooms will conform to the lighter and slightly French feel of those in the East Wing.

All rooms have wireless Internet as well as Ethernet connections. Each has a good-sized desk, two-line phones, an in-room safe, a mini-bar, and a coffeemaker, as well as a CD player with radio, a 32-inch flat screen HDTV with Web TV, and a Sony PlayStation. The hotel provides 24-hour room service, express laundry and dry cleaning, as well as nightly turndown.

My spacious and immaculate room was equipped with all the comforts of home, and I was pleased to find I couldn’t hear any noise from the street or from other rooms. Upon arrival, I was sent a welcoming tray of petit fours. The bed, with its four pillows, was plush and inviting. The large bathroom featured a double sink and long vanity to allow two people to get ready at the same time. Brown marble counters flecked with coral and black grace the West Wing bathrooms, while the East Wing bathrooms feature black granite vanities. My bathroom was well-stocked with towels, makeup remover pads, Q-tips, a comb, and a nail file, as well as L’Occitane bath products.

The 12,500-square-foot Four Seasons Fitness Club and Spa is one of the best-equipped and staffed fitness facilities that I have found in a hotel setting. During my visit, a staff member greeted me and gave me a tour of the three-level facility. The fitness center provides clean shoes, socks, shorts, T-shirts, and even swimsuits in case you’ve forgotten your workout clothes. All cardio equipment -- -elliptical trainers, treadmills, and bikes- -- have individual televisions, and guests are given clean headsets. iPods are available, as are DVDs for those wishing to watch a movie. Sunlight streams into the swimming area, where supervised children are welcome.

Bottled water and towels are available throughout the club. The men’s and women’s locker rooms also feature chilled eucalyptus-scented towels, a nice touch when you exit the steam room or sauna. Hair dryers, hairspray, razors, deodorant, makeup remover pads, and other items are found on the well-stocked vanities. In the spa area, candles and orchids set a soothing mood in the eight treatment rooms.

Georgetown, loaded with cafes and shops, is one of the D.C.’s prime après-work spots. Art galleries, antique stores, and trendy furniture and clothing shops draw browsers. The nearby John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosts theater, ballet, opera and orchestral performances.

Along with 24-hour room service, the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. serves afternoon tea and light fare often accompanied by piano music in the Garden Terrace Lounge. The waiter at the lounge was friendly; he recommended an apple martini, and brought me the perfectly shaken and poured drink within five minutes. The comfortable chairs, soft music, and views of the outdoor greenery created a relaxing lounge experience.

Feature Package:

Bed and Breakfast This dignified capital city contains a wealth of American culture and history. Let Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, be your home as you explore the traditions of the past at Washington's renowned galleries, monuments and museums. Includes: Luxurious accommodations American breakfast for two in Seasons restaurant or through In-Room Dining* Breakfast tax and gratuities   Rate Starts From $445.00 Details of This Package Offered: September 02, 2007 - December 31, 2007

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