Rosewood Washington, DC review – The Points Guy

Tourists, dignitaries and politicos have a variety of ultraluxury hotels to choose from when they head to Washington, D.C. But which reigns supreme?

I was keen on testing out Rosewood Washington, D.C. on a recent trip to the U.S. capital city, as I was lucky to spend a few days earlier this year at the more leisure-oriented Rosewood Phuket in Thailand. How well does this luxe brand translate from the sandy shores of paradise to the nucleus of political power? You heard it here first: It’s just as fabulous as you might expect.

While Rosewood’s D.C. aura is entirely different from that of its Thai sibling, there are clearly common threads in terms of anticipatory service and attention to detail that keep travelers coming back to the brand.

What it’s like at Rosewood Washington, DC

Rosewood Washington, D.C. is a convenient 15-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The intimate brownstone clocks in at only 49 guest rooms and suites, plus an additional eight townhouses for those looking to splurge and feel truly at home in the surrounding Georgetown neighborhood. The hotel is situated along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (an idyllic stroll for those keen on some cardio to start the day) on a quiet side street off Georgetown’s bustling M Street, so you’re close to the action of one of D.C.’s most-popular neighborhoods without being overwhelmed.

Runners or those just looking for a walk with a view can head just a few blocks south and be on the shoreline of the Potomac River in a matter of minutes.

Checking in

I arrived at Rosewood Washington, D.C. late on a Sunday afternoon and was immediately greeted by a porter who took my luggage and walked me to the small check-in area. The brand’s signature residential-style feel was immediately apparent at this property, as it wasn’t so much a lobby as it was a cluster of smaller rooms: The main foyer featured a small seating area, while the check-in area was just two podiums in front of a small bank of elevators. There was a cozy library with some seating and a fireplace just off the check-in area.

The staff was friendly and quick to help me book a dinner reservation at Cut by Wolfgang Puck (more on that below) before I went upstairs to my premier corner king room. The check-in area might be cozy, but the hotel’s smaller room count likely prevents crowding at check-in or checkout.

How much Rosewood Washington, DC costs and how to book

My stay in a premier corner king room included a complimentary night as well as a special media rate, but the same room starts at $782 per night through fall. Travelers can book directly through Rosewood and keep an eye out for specials and seasonal rates.

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Alternatively, those with The Platinum Card® from American Express can book via the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts platform, wherein guests can enjoy elitelike benefits like noon check-in, availability-based upgrades, daily breakfast, guaranteed late checkout and a $100 food-and-beverage credit to use on-site.

Rooms at Rosewood Washington, DC

The entry to my premier corner king room was in a quiet, slightly removed vestibule from the main fifth-floor corridor. The design scheme of the hotel leans into neutral tones with pops of fun, like the colorful portrait of Abraham Lincoln hanging just outside my room.

Inside, I was treated to a spacious, well-appointed room that was luxurious without being overly stuffy. The mirrored canopy king bed was the design focal point of the room, and there was a small seating area with a view toward the river.

Couples traveling together have plenty of storage within dark wood built-in cabinetry in the foyer of the guest room, and there were extras like bathrobes, slippers and a safe for placing valuables.

There was a large workstation in the room, perfect for taking work calls and eating breakfast the first morning of my stay. In-room dining comes from Cut downstairs, and you can access the full menu of the restaurant. The free Wi-Fi in the room was speedy and capable of taking work meetings via Zoom, and I appreciated small details elsewhere in the room, like electrical outlets built into the drawers of each bedside nightstand.

Hotel information and in-room dining menus were accessible via QR codes on the large TV, and complimentary tea and Nespresso coffee were available. The minibar on the TV stand had alcoholic beverages and snacks available for an additional cost.

The expansive bathroom featured a stand-alone soaking tub, a vanity table for finishing touches before going out and a glass-enclosed rainfall shower. Wall-mounted Diptyque products were in the shower, while bath salts and a tube of Diptyque body wash (perfect for bubble baths) were on a rack hanging on the bathtub.

Twice-daily housekeeping kept the room in tip-top shape throughout my stay, and I’d find thoughtful touches, including a microfiber towel left beside my laptop one day and Rosewood-branded plastic bags left at turndown my final night to store liquids before placing those in my carry-on to fly home, following service.

A mix of firm and fluffy pillows and Garnier-Thiebaut linens made for restful shut-eye each night in the king-size bed, and a bedside touch panel controlled lighting as well as the drapes (making for even more restful sleep thanks to the blackout shades).

What to eat at Rosewood Washington, DC

The food is delicious and expensive at Rosewood Washington, D.C. But hey, this is ultraluxury, baby.

Cut Above, the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, features a mix of wine, cocktails and small bites. Trying my hardest to wear my Sally Quinn socialite hat one afternoon, I met a former co-worker upstairs at Cut Above to catch up. A glass of rose set me back $19, which isn’t cheap but also isn’t the worst I’ve seen at a D.C. hotel — plus, the view was worth a little price premium. Much of the space is under a tent, so it feels more intimate than just any regular rooftop bar.

The real kicker to the hotel bill was anytime I wanted to do a meal involving Cut downstairs, where it was easier to clear the $100 threshold than it was to stick to a smaller price tag. But don’t let the price tag deter you: This is a delicious place to impress and entertain if you save up for a special occasion.

The dimly lit restaurant is divided into a lounge area, an expansive bar and an open-concept kitchen and dining room. The secluded banquettes and seating areas gave the whole experience a clandestine vibe, as though this was where you go for romance, secrets or, in my case, kicking back with a book while navigating through several courses of dinner.

I followed the friendly waiter’s advice to start with some bluefin tuna sashimi ($38) before a main course of half a grilled Amish chicken ($38), which was served with a chimichurri sauce on top of a bed of greens. I added extras like a bread basket ($12) and grilled asparagus ($17). Drinks and cocktails seemed a bit steeper than prices upstairs, as a martini was $30 while a glass of Oregon pinot noir was $25.

Service was friendly and in no way pushy, and it even came with some pointers for what to order from Cut the next morning for breakfast. The food was flavorful and far superior to a “regular” hotel restaurant, but the seafood bar and steaks are clearly the showstoppers here — I abstained from the latter because I felt like I might be pushing my expense report with the $38 chicken (which was juicy and crispy in all the right places, showing Wolfgang Puck might give Ina Garten competition in the roast chicken department).

I had to work early the next morning, so I decided to order room service from Cut since the team had been touting the availability of the full menu. Several Rosewood team members mentioned the egg white, sun-dried tomato and goat cheese frittata ($26) as a favorite, so I ordered that along with a side of bacon ($12), an iced americano ($8) and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice ($12). You could certainly find something more affordable in the surrounding blocks of Georgetown, but the delivery was fast (less than a half-hour to arrive at my door), and the hearty meal was every bit as delicious and filling as it was the convenient start I needed for a Monday morning.

While I ate dinner out my second night at the Rosewood, I went downstairs to Cut for my final breakfast before checkout. The avocado toast ($21) topped with a poached egg was another hearty dining highlight amid a sunny start to the day. Cut seemed to be more popular at dinner time, but it also appeared to be home to a few power breakfast meetings. While Cut Above was quieter during my Sunday afternoon rendezvous with a friend, it was surprisingly bustling on the Monday night of my stay — but still a relaxing retreat for a nightcap before retiring for the evening.

Amenities and things to do at Rosewood Washington, DC

Travelers will have plenty to do at Rosewood Washington, D.C., but keep in mind that the hotel doesn’t have as much elbow room as some of the brand’s other properties around the world. While I did not indulge in one, you can arrange in-room spa treatments. There is also a small fitness center on the same rooftop level as Cut Above; the all-day facility features a Peloton bike, a Peloton treadmill, an air bike, free weights and various medicine balls. There was a small deck outside the gym to stretch or practice yoga alfresco should you desire some fresh air with your fitness.

But the real wellness showstopper on the top floor is Rosewood’s infinity pool, which is open all day and overlooks the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Potomac River and the Washington Monument. A built-in fireplace added a luxurious flourish to the sleek, dark stone pool area’s on-top-of-the-political-world vibe. During the day and early evening, doors are open to allow guests to splash a little outside, but these are shut during overnight hours.

For those looking to unwind with a book outside or just work on a tan, there was a large deck just outside the pool area with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Back downstairs, the hotel has complimentary bikes for guests to use to pedal around the city and see its many attractions.

Insider tips for staying at Rosewood Washington, DC

Here are a few additional tips and things to know before planning your visit to Rosewood Washington, D.C.:

• Be mindful of peak travel times to Washington, D.C., as political events, college graduations and college move-in weeks can all send already pricey nightly rates into the stratosphere.
• Cut is delicious, and the staff is fun to chat with — but the restaurant is also very pricey. Enjoy a meal here, but be sure to enjoy the surrounding dining scene, too, which certainly has more variety in terms of menu pricing.
• Georgetown University, The Watergate Hotel and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts are the closest attractions to the Rosewood and an easy walk. If you’re looking to see the White House, the Washington Monument or the attractions along the National Mall, plan for at least a 30-minute walk or consider hailing an Uber or Lyft.
• Taxis and ride-hailing services are the most convenient ways to get to Rosewood Washington, D.C. from either of the city’s main airports. The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station is the nearest subway stop and is an 18-minute walk from the hotel.

Accessibility

Rosewood Washington, D.C. has many accessible features to make this an ultraluxury experience for all. Some, but not all, of the hotel’s accessible features include an accessible entry to the hotel and through the lobby up to guest rooms. Superior king guest rooms with roll-in showers and guard rails are available. Guest rooms on the second through fifth floors of the hotel are equipped with etched and Braille numbers, while corridors on the first through fifth floors are equipped with visual and audible alarms.

Hotel elevators are equipped with etched and Braille signage. Main floor public restrooms are wheelchair accessible and also have etched and Braille signage. Cut, Cut Above and the fitness center all have an accessible path of travel.

Bottom line

People might dream of a decadent getaway to a Rosewood resort in any number of slices of paradise around the world, but Rosewood Washington, D.C. proves the luxe brand still punches above the ultraluxury pack when it comes to city hotels.

The small room count meant staff members behaved more like friends hosting you in their Georgetown brownstone for a few nights. Sure, said friends might be charging a hefty bit for food and drinks, but you’ll run into steep bar and restaurant tabs at hotels nowhere as nice as this elsewhere in Washington, D.C.

Proximity to power doesn’t come cheap, but the privacy, polish and panache of the Rosewood make the nightly rates worth it.

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