Book The Hay-Adams with VIP Benefits

The hotel takes its name from John Hay and Henry Adams, whose former homes once stood on this site. John Hay served as private secretary to Abraham Lincoln and later as Secretary of State. Henry Adams was a historian whose home became part of Washington's literary and political salon culture.

The current hotel opened in 1928. Architect Mihran Mesrobian designed it in the Italian Renaissance style, replacing the two houses with an apartment hotel. Wood paneling from Hay's residence was reused in what is now the Hay-Adams Room. That surviving material is a direct link between the original houses and today's gathering spaces.

Classic Rooms measure 245 to 345 square feet and have a double or queen bed. Deluxe Rooms range from 345 to 440 square feet, with a king, two doubles, or a queen and sleeper sofa. The bedding arrangements differ within the category, so specify the layout you need. A Deluxe Room can also connect to another room or suite, which is useful for families who want separate sleeping spaces. Confirm the connecting arrangement when reserving rather than treating it as an arrival request.

Premier Rooms face Lafayette Park and have a king or two double beds within 385 square feet. A park view should not be read as a promise of an unobstructed White House view; establish the exact outlook if that is central to your stay.

The Lafayette Park View Junior Suites combine the sleeping and living areas in 540 square feet. A king bed, sleeper sofa and four long windows face south toward the park and Washington Monument. For a separate bedroom, the 710-square-foot St. John's Church View Suites add a living room and a bathroom with both a walk-in shower and soaking tub. Their connecting Deluxe Room option can add another bedroom.

The named suites, including Federal and Presidential suites, add separate living areas. The 1,480-square-foot Federal Suite has a butler's pantry, two full bathrooms and a dining table for ten. The Presidential Suite is smaller, at 1,095 square feet, but its eighth-floor position gives views of the White House, Lafayette Park and Washington Monument. It also has a working gas fireplace. Both can gain a second bedroom through a connecting room; that room needs to be reserved as part of the arrangement.

Accessible accommodation includes king-bedded rooms with accessible tubs and a one-bedroom suite with a roll-in shower. Visual alarms and adapted controls are among the listed features. The bathroom layout is an important difference between these options, so discuss the equipment and circulation space you require before selecting a room.

The Lafayette is the hotel's main restaurant, serving contemporary American cuisine. By day, natural light fills the dining room; candlelight changes its mood in the evening. Breakfast and weekday lunch provide daytime options, while brunch is served on weekends. Dinner is not available on Sunday evenings.

The current dinner menu includes red snapper, scallops, lamb and filet, alongside rigatoni with roasted cauliflower. Menus can change, so confirm any particular dish or dietary requirement with the restaurant when making a reservation.

Behind glass doors, The Lafayette's Private Dining Room seats up to sixteen for lunch or dinner. The team can plan a menu for the occasion. It is a separate arrangement from reserving a restaurant table, and a useful option for a family celebration or a working meal that needs its own room.

Off The Record keeps its Washington character in the details. Political caricatures hang on the walls, and illustrated coasters have been part of the bar since 2015. The hotel's collaborators include Ann Telnaes, Kevin Kallaugher and Matt Wuerker.

The drinks menu includes a pear martini, a rye Old Fashioned and nonalcoholic choices. Food goes beyond small snacks, with oysters, a burger and steak frites among the current dishes. The bar opens daily, though food service ends before the bar closes. Seating is first-come, first-served, with no reservations or private-event bookings, so use the hotel's dedicated event rooms for a gathering that requires a confirmed space.

Top of the Hay occupies the hotel's private top floor, with White House and city views. French doors open onto a wraparound balcony, allowing an event to use both indoor and outdoor space. It is a private function venue, not a rooftop bar with routine access for overnight guests. Weddings, meetings and receptions here are planned with the events team.

Other rooms bring different architectural details to a gathering. The Hay-Adams Room has rich woodwork, decorative ceilings and two working gas fireplaces. The Concorde Room uses hand-painted wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, with tall windows admitting daylight.

The second-floor fitness room has cardio equipment, weights and a TRX suspension trainer, plus a changing area and shower. For a treatment, the concierge can arrange an in-room massage or help reserve a visit to an outside spa. Room service is available around the clock.

Lafayette Park provides a pedestrian view of the White House's North Portico. Access to the park and surrounding areas can change without notice because of security closures, so allow flexibility when setting out. The National Mall lies south of the White House.

The nearby Renwick Gallery, at Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, focuses on craft and decorative art. Regular admission does not require tickets, making it an option between scheduled appointments or meals. An accessible entrance is on 17th Street. The gallery is separate from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's main building, a useful distinction when planning a museum visit.

For arrivals by road, the hotel driveway is on 16th Street NW. The concierge can arrange taxis, limousines or rental cars, and valet parking is available. Metro provides another option: Reagan National Airport is on the Blue and Yellow lines, while Dulles Airport is on the Silver Line. Farragut West, near the Renwick, serves the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. Check the current journey and service status before leaving the airport.