Cherry blossom season in DC is one of those trips that rewards getting it right. The peak lasts a week at most, often less, but the full blossom season runs two to three weeks and the window is still spectacular throughout. Where you stay changes everything. That means peak bloom timing, a hotel close enough to walk everywhere, and somewhere worth coming back to at the end of the day. Hotel Washington delivers on all three, and it does so at a level that genuinely justifies the category it is in.
We have been to DC before. We thought we knew what to expect. Cherry blossom season at peak bloom, with the right hotel behind you, turns out to be an entirely different city. Two days, thousands of steps, one unforgettable rooftop dinner, and we left already planning next year.
Hotel Washington DC entrance at night during cherry blossom season | Photo: Better Living
Hotel Washington has been a DC landmark since 1917, hosting world leaders, celebrities, and dignitaries across more than a century of American history. Elvis stayed here on his way to meet President Nixon at the White House. Harrison Ford reportedly bought drinks for the entire rooftop bar. That same rooftop was also featured in The Godfather Part II.
Today, it’s a Forbes Verified Luxury, 5-star property with 326 rooms and suites, three distinct dining destinations, a full-service spa, and one of the most coveted rooftop views in the country. If you follow our luxury hotel reviews, this one belongs on your radar. The reputation is well earned.
Hotel Washington at a Glance
Location: 515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Rating: Forbes Verified Luxury · 5-Star Hotel
Price Range: $$$–$$$$
Rooms: 326 rooms and suites, including Monument view options
Parking: Valet via LAZ Parking, $80/night plus tax, with in and out privileges
Destination Fee: $42/night plus tax — includes fitness center, Wi-Fi, $15 Fireclay dining credit, and more
Dining: VUE Rooftop, Fireclay Restaurant and Lobby Bar, The Patio
Amenities: Full-service spa, 24/7 fitness center, in-room Nespresso, rainfall showers, 12,000 sq ft event space
Best For: Cherry blossom season, romantic getaways, DC exploration, food lovers
Worth Knowing: All dining includes a 20% gratuity. Fireclay table seating may be limited during off-peak hours.
Reservations: thehotelwashington.com | (202) 661-2400
Arrival and First Impressions
The lobby lounge at Hotel Washington DC | Photo: Better Living
We pulled up around 2 p.m., two hours ahead of the standard 4 p.m. check-in. Valet was fast and genuinely friendly, and the front desk held our bags without hesitation and offered to alert us the moment the room was ready. Most hotels make early arrivals feel like an imposition. This one did not. We dropped our bags and headed straight out to start exploring, which felt like exactly the right way to begin a cherry blossom trip.
Walking into the lobby for the first time, the immediate impression is space and light. More open and airy than you
