There are few things we love more than packing our bags and skipping town for the weekend but getting away doesn’t have to mean hopping on a plane. We had the best, most refreshing weekend a hop, skip, and a jump away from our home at the beautiful and historic Willard a few weekends ago.
From the moment you arrive in the Willard’s lobby, your eyes are met with the best treats, from the intricate details on the floor covering to the seals of the states on the ceiling.
We arrived in the afternoon for our get-away. Our room was the perfect combination of luxury, history, and relaxation. The plush bed beckoned for an afternoon nap and our Nespresso machine was expertly tucked into a wet bar, which was ready for pre-dinner drinks. It was the perfect start to our stay-cation.
We hopped from our room to the spa, which had a wonderful workout facility. The women’s locker room was complete with a steam room and sauna. It was a great way to relax before dinner.
I love dining out downtown. It’s quieter on the weekends without the hustle of the lunch crowd, happy hour goers, fundraisers, and receptions. But, it’s such a lovely time to take in the interiors of some of our city’s historic restaurants and bars.
For cocktails, stop by the historic Round Robin Bar at The Willard. It’s one spot that you absolutely can’t miss. In my opinion, it’s best as an after-dinner drinks spot or one for happy hour during the week.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t share that The Willard is the best place to visit around the holidays. They bring in local choirs, showcase the most intricate gingerbread houses of DC landmarks, and spare no expense when it comes to decorating the hotel for the holidays. Did I mention their beautiful Christmas tree in the middle of the lobby? Truly, go now and then jot it down in your books to visit again in a few months.
Drinks at the St. Regis is also a fabulous beginning to any night. The interior of the bar is gorgeous. If you’re lucky, you’ll be there when the fireplace is roaring (obviously not this time of year) or when the pianist is playing (usually during the week).
We dined at Sidecar at P.J. Clarke’s for this stay-cation, with drinks at the St. Regis after. If you’ve been to the P.J. Clarke’s in New York, it’s familiar territory. They opened this one a few years ago here and it’s a great spot during the weekdays. It was so quiet on this Saturday night that we all but had the restaurant to ourselves.
Other places to visit downtown for dinner and drinks that aren’t to be missed:
Do you have a favorite place to dine, drink, or stay downtown? I’d love to hear which ones we need to add to our list next! Please share in the comments below. Cheers, friends!
