Exploring The Trump International Hotel, D.C.
Note: Trump International was purchased by the Waldorf Astoria in 2022, though much of the decor throughout has remained the same.
Over Memorial Day weekend, my girlfriend and I decided to do an overnight “staycation” to Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., and it was, by far, one of the best five-star hotels I have ever stayed at in the country.
For anyone that is familiar of the history of the building, this used to be home to the headquarters of the United States Postal Service, as well as several federal offices in the early 1900s, eventually evolving into a public space with a food court and retail shops. But by the early 2000s, it’s popularity was on a sharp decline, leaving the General Service Administration (GSA) to find a new tenant to renovate it. In 2013, DJT Holdings entered into a 60-year lease to completely overhaul the building into a luxury hotel, in one of the best locations in the city.
When the hotel finally opened in the fall of 2016, curious tourists and residents alike, found themselves in awe over the expansive, opulent hallways, the well-appointed 263 rooms, the massive 1,000 glass pane atrium, the 10,000 sq. ft. spa (it has a Himalayan Salt Room), and of course, how well-preserved some of the most historic and iconic parts of the building remained in-tact.
When the doorman opened the main doors to the hotel, the nostalgia of the old building hit me. As a child, my mom would take me and my siblings in the pavilion to walk around during the summer. To enter the same door, decades later, and step onto the now carpeted entrance, with much of the woodwork kept in-tact, it brought back a sense of wonderment I used to have all those decades ago.
But, once you go past that first set of doors and step foot onto the expansive, light-filled atrium, you’re instantly transported to present-day.
OUR STAY
Washington, D.C. hotels have seen more than their fare share of scandals, with all service people trained to not only cater to every whim, but also be incredibly discreet. Having known a lot of people in the hospitality industry, it’s easy to point out the nuances in customer service that allude to this, including how they approach check-in, the availability of the bellhop that is present enough that you see him but do not feel as though they are intruding; as well as all of the other staff that work to make your stay, comfortable.
Once we received our keys, they were handed to a bellhop who took us to our floor, opened our door, and pointed out some of the amenities. While she was listening, I was too busy taking in the incredible detail our room possessed, to hear about the mini bar, the electronic privacy button, and the fact that we could literally ask for anything and they would make it happen (called Trump Attaché).
Once we were wished a pleasant stay, I set to taking pictures of some of the more beautiful details of the room.
While this only shows a small fraction of the room, it was incredible to see just how much thought went into every little detail of the room, from the doorknobs, to the bathroom fixtures, bedding, lighting, minibar, and writing desk.
In addition, very rarely do you step foot into a room and not see some sort of even minor damage from a previous guest. This room was so impeccable that you would have thought it had never been used.
THE VIEWS
When I posted these above images on Instagram, I received several comments, asking me if I was in Europe for the weekend.
The views from our room were stunning, just as they are from any other room or area in the hotel. But, we had the added “bonus feature” of a tall ledge to stand on for even better views.
PLACES TO EAT/THINGS TO DO
We should have taken advantage of so much more than we did, but the biggest reason for this overnight “staycation” was to relax, which meant room service, television, and taking turns, taking a bath. Next time, I plan on taking advantage of all of it.
Room Service - First, as with any room service, it is expensive. HOWEVER, the portions are meant for two people. For example, the club sandwich (on gluten-free bread) was about four full sandwiches… and it came with a side salad. The chicken caesar salad I had for dinner was a huge entree portion that I could in no way finish by myself. NOTE: For Celiac people, they not only have gluten-free bread, but also have gluten-free pastas and pizzas as well!
Benjamin Bar & Lounge - Nestled in the massive atrium is a bar and lounge that takes up over a half of the overall seating area. It offers craft cocktails, an extensive beer, wine, and champagne list, along with a limited food menu. Note: They also do weekly culinary offerings, with something different everyday.
The Spa by Ivanka Trump - If there’s one place I’m kicking myself for not visiting, it’s the spa. Not only does the 10,000 sq. ft. spa have a Himalayan salt room, but it has such an incredible list of services that you could spend all day there and it wouldn’t be enough. The bonus: It’s open until 8pm on weekends!
Clock Tower - Open until 4pm everyday, don’t forget to take the elevator to the top of the Clock Tower for some incredible views of D.C.! Note: It’s free to all.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO NOTE
Aside from the overall experience and the short, but impressive list of things I need to do on my next stay, it’s also important to note some of the other things they offer:
Pets program - It’s nice to see a hotel of this caliber allow pets! The list of amenities available to them, along with the fact that it’s only a $50 USD per stay, is definitely wonderful.
Kids program - When they say they cater to kids, they mean it. They offer every source of entertainment, child-size robes and slippers, bedding, food, and more to make sure your child(ren) are comfortable/having fun for the duration of your stay.
Rewards program - Called the Trump Card Privileges Program, you get some great special perks, including special member pricing, early access to new deals and offers, discounts on spa treatments, a dedicated hotline, and more. It’s free to join and definitely worth it.
Trump at Home - Want to recreate a cocktail you had at Benjamin Bar & Lounge? What about that body scrub you tried at the spa? Their special Tumblr site gives you access to recipes, tours, instructional videos, and more!
