InterContinental the Willard Washington D.C. by IHG in
Washington (DC)

Had breakfast at the Cafe Du Parc - great food there plus the hotel is beautiful. With that, the hotel’s urinal design is terrible. The overhead ledge sitting above the urinal sits right at forehead height, and because the urinals are slightly recessed, you naturally step forward straight into head-bonk territory…pee-ers beware

Great hotel! The room was beautiful and impeccably clean! The valet, front desk and housekeeping services were all very good. It’s a little pricey but we had a very nice stay here. Two warnings, though: 1. Stay away from the French restaurant there, Cafe Du Parc. Very rude host(s) and the food sucked. Just to give you a little insight, we wanted coffee and dessert the first night we arrived. The restaurant told us we couldn’t be seated in the main dining room if we didn’t order dinner, that we had to go to their little cafe area. No problem. We walked across the lobby to the cafe. The girl at the register didn’t say a word, just looked at us. We ordered 5 desserts and three coffees. Every dessert went in the trash after one bite. We would have complained but the girl had disappeared after bringing the food and coffees out and never came back! We actually had another incident at the main restaurant the morning we left but it’s too much to write…just do yourself a favor and stay away from Cafe Du Park. 2. The parking fee is a little excessive at $78/ day on top of the hotel charging you an additional $35/ day amenities fee

We attended Afternoon Tea at the Peacock Alley Tearoom. It was delightful. This includes a 3 tier server tray of tea sandwiches, scones and mini desserts. All wonderful. It's about 100.00 per person, service is wonderfully attentive. Reservation is required. Two seatings, 12:30 & 2:30. The hotel offers parking at a cost. There's also a parking garage across the street as well, for half the price. Just do you research on line and reserve your parking for better prices.

Our stay at the Willard was unforgettable. We mentioned it was our child’s birthday, and the kindness and care we received truly went above and beyond. Staying at the Willard was her birthday wish, and she was over the moon to stay at what she proudly called “the fanciest, best hotel ever.” Thank you to the team for making her birthday so special. The Willard is a five-star hotel in every sense, but it’s the five-star staff and service that made this experience so meaningful to our family.

The beauty of the hotel's architecture does not unfortunately align with its staff. Rude and Judgmental, I was publicly disparaged and medically stereotyped by a female black security guard here at the hotel early in the morning hours of 4am on MLK day, 2025. Two nights prior, I ran into and befriended a foreign national in Dupont Circle who said he was staying at the Willard in DC for a few days before his departure. As a native San Franciscan, we strive for higher standards in decency and respect. The security guard accosted me and asked me if I was a guest, I told her no, and I was waiting for someone I recently met to run the National Mall with, as we had this pre-arranged. The mall is not too far out from the Hotel's location. I did wait for about 2 hours, I will admit now. As I did not have anything going on for MLK day 2025. No calls, texts, or anything as of the like. To bide the time, I read everything in the hallways about the history of the hotel, like most patient people would do. Around 6am, I did indeed have to use the restroom as I was not feeling well. I was then approached by disturbing aggression while using the bathroom and told I was trying to "sleep in the bathroom for 2 hours", It then became evident that I was being misconstrued as a potential vagrant. They threatened to call the US Secret Service on me, and then threatened to have the USSS do "unspeakable things" to me in in the hallway down by the restrooms, with a Mexican man and a very tall and mildly disabled man who could not speak, babbling his lip. I persisted to get her name, she refused and called the police. At that point, it wasn't worth it, but I don't recommend this place to the tourist. It's staff is very overrated. Washington, DC is a very stereotypical city unfortunately with a lack of interest in the customer or the individual at that. I have to say, I don't think the Willard Brothers would appreciate the dynamic of the hotel now. I've had far better treatment at other IHG Hotels, WAY better treatment. It might be a Washingtonian Thing.

The rooms are amazing, the venue is beautiful, the common areas are inviting and cozy, the location is unparalleled. The food service is a catastrophe. We wanted coffee and pastries at the end of a wonderful day touring DC. We approached the podium, talking loudly about wanting cake and a nice place to quietly talk. The maitre denied us service, telling us the dining room was limited for full dinner, highly unusual. We were directed to the coffee shop where the coffee was good but the pastries were stale, chemical-tasting and overpriced. We disregarded this re-direction as a fluke, until we came down for breakfast the next day. The jerk at the podium, wearing seven metric tonnes of hair pomade, flat out told us that "the dinning room was limited for full breakfast service", and that we would be better served at the coffee shop. Fun fact, we had not discussed having "just coffee". He demanded to know our room number before giving us a table. Profiling of any kind is unbecoming to such a great hotel, and undermines the guests experience. Redirection and retraining of your hosts will go a long way.

My husband and I were chasing a Home Alone 2 fantasy. Lost in New York energy, but in DC. Christmas robes. Snacks packed. Jenny Lind Suite booked. That jetted tub was supposed to earn its keep. The room: genuinely beautiful. The technology: aggressively dated. The vibe: a 90s time capsule, complete with missing doorknobs. There was effort here, but it felt like the hotel was holding its breath, afraid any real investment might trigger the next recession. What they got right: The bellhops were fantastic. Warm, personable, fun. Truly the highlight. Most staff we interacted with were polite and willing to help, which made the gaps elsewhere even more confusing. What they got wrong (beyond the dated room and tech): For a hotel that loudly advertises luxury service, the customer experience fell flat. Outside of the arrival bowl of fruit, nothing felt elevated. Night two, we ordered pizza and planned a cozy Home Alone movie night. The technology made streaming impossible. Fine, cable it is. We called the concierge and asked for two plates. Just two. The answer was a flat no. We were told to walk down to the lobby restaurant and see if they might have plates “to spare.” I’m sorry, what? The next morning, room service arrived… with someone else’s order. It was corrected, but for a luxury hotel, that kind of miss is surprising. Housekeeping came through, but only halfway. The coffee and minibar were never restocked. In a suite. At a luxury hotel. This is table stakes. At 9:30 PM we stopped by the lobby circle bar. It was immediately clear the bartenders did not want to be there. I get it, service work is hard. Still, opening our interaction by warning us about last call at 11 set a strange tone. By 10:00, one bartender disappeared for 45 minutes. No refills. No check-in. No bill. Breaks are important. Coverage is also important, especially when you’re selling a premium experience. Beyond the bellhops, much of the staff felt irritated to be present. Front desk to concierge, the energy was less “historic luxury hotel” and more “counting down the minutes.” The hotel was also clearly prioritizing weekend tea and brunch revenue, to the point that the historic lobby was clogged with extra tables and largely unusable for actual hotel guests. Bottom line: this was not a luxury experience, and I would not recommend it. I’m only posting this publicly because I reached out directly to hotel management and never received a response. At that point, a review feels necessary.

Loved the tea experience! The afternoon tea experience and atmosphere was by far better than experiences at St Regis, Entyse (Ritz Carlton), & Lady Camellia, but the menu (sweet nor savory) here did not quite surpass the others. The tea was good though...

My personal favourite, the Willard is steeped in history but perfectly at home in the 21st century. It was a blast stepping back in time just by sitting in the lobby. Theodore Roosevelt to my right chatting with Grant's infamous lobbyists about how to finish the Panama Canal. To my left is Dr. King, pensive and hopeful, making his last edits to I Have a Dream. Attentive staff, curated artwork, thoughtful decor and beautiful spaces like Peacock Alley and the Ballroom make the Willard a dreamscape no matter the season. We typically visit around 7 January and love that the Christmas trees are still up at that time for the past few years. When work returns me to Washington, the Willard will once again be home.

Unacceptable for a 5-star InterContinental. On January 3rd at around 5:00 PM, I had a deeply disappointing interaction with the bell/luggage staff that undermined my entire stay. The staff member brought two of my bags and appeared ready to send me on my way. I calmly asked about my third piece of luggage, expecting a simple professional response such as, “Yes, it’s coming,” or “One moment, we’re bringing it now.” Instead, he responded with a mocking smile and said nothing—only for the third bag to arrive a few seconds later. I was asking politely because I genuinely thought there might have been confusion. There was nothing unreasonable about the request. What made it unacceptable was the micro-aggressive, dismissive attitude—a smile that felt like ridicule rather than service. In a luxury hotel, basic respect and clear communication are the minimum standard. It’s frustrating to end a New Year stay this way: not because luggage handling is “the most important” service, but because one rude, disrespectful interaction can erase an otherwise good experience. I travel frequently and spent more than four months in hotels last year, across major brands including Hyatt and Marriott, and I have never encountered this kind of behavior at top-tier properties. This experience unfortunately reinforces what many reviews have been saying: IHG service standards appear to be slipping.

Dear Willard Team, I wanted to extend my sincere thanks for the exceptional service during my recent stay. Although my trip began with a brief issue, your front desk staff, and the manager on duty on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, handled everything with such professionalism and care. They quickly resolved the matter and were incredibly generous with their service and the room upgrade. We were also delighted to attend the wonderful black‑tie event that evening, which made the experience even more memorable. Thank you again to the entire Willard staff for your outstanding hospitality. It truly made our stay special. Warm regards, Mr. Wilson

Here for New Years Eve gala - is it fair to rank a hotel before you’ve stayed overnight? We’ve checked in, I’m in a beautiful bathrobe, looking forward to a shower before I get ready, with a delicious cup of espresso and looking out at downtown DC. The hotel is absolutely beautiful, with an old world vibe and incredible Christmas decorations. happy new year!

This is a wonderful hotel located in the heart of Washington, D.C. We especially loved the beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby; my family really enjoyed it. The impressive interior design and atmosphere were also memorable. Overall, we were very satisfied with everything.

I’m writing this review as I sit in my room, watching my food get cold, all while waiting on condiments to be delivered for my breakfast I ordered as in room dining. To not include syrup for breakfast pancakes is a crime in itself and honestly the final straw I’ve had with my one night stay at The Willard on Christmas Eve. Check-in was subpar. The gentlemen checking me in was not welcoming and almost looked as if he was dreading providing me service. He made no mention of dining hours and when I arrived at my room at 11PM, I was sadly informed I had missed dinner by 5 minutes. The “upgraded room” I received was on a low floor, had a poorly stocked mini fridge and a view of the hotel I should have spent my Christmas Eve with. That brings us to breakfast. Finally I am able to partake in a proper meal. I order the American breakfast with pancakes which came in a timely fashion and looked delicious. After positioning myself to eat a hearty meal, it dawns on me; there is not a single condiment in sight. Not a single salt, pepper, butter or syrup packet available for the $80 breakfast I just received. Of course I call to have this rectified which was promptly acknowledged as an issue, but now here we are, 45 minutes later and still no condiments. You would think the amount that you pay for The Willard would equate quality service, however I think I am more disappointed that I spent my time here. Most importantly my Christmas Eve. I will be sure never to make that mistake again.

It’s been about 15 years since I stayed a single night at the Willard, and I’d love to go back, though sadly I can’t afford it now. Truth be told, I couldn’t afford it then either. Still, this is a hotel you visit, or stay at if you can manage it, purely for its legacy. The Willard InterContinental Hotel dates back to the mid-1800s, with its current Beaux-Arts building completed in 1901 and restored to its turn-of-the-century glory when it reopened in 1986. For generations it has been ground zero for Washington’s political class, including President Ulysses S. Grant, whose habit of holding court in the lobby helped coin the term “lobbyist.” In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his advisers finalized the “I Have a Dream” speech here just before the March on Washington. Today, the Willard sits two blocks from the White House, dripping with nearly two centuries of American history. It’s perfectly located near the National Mall, and the staff are exceptional—polished, professional, and exactly what you’d expect in a place like this. And then there’s the price. Like much of modern Washington, it talks a lot about inclusivity while practicing exclusion. But let’s not kid ourselves. Like most luxury hotels today, it’s wildly overpriced. Most hotels break even somewhere around $35–$60 a night. Even if the Willard’s operating costs are higher, say $75–$90, charging north of $400 a night isn’t about survival. It’s about gatekeeping. To be fair, anyone can walk through the lobby, take in the history, snap a few photos, and move along. The doors are technically open. Staying the night, however, is a very different class of admission. After all, this is a city run by people who never stop preaching about equality. Washington is overflowing with leftists and Democrats who lecture nonstop about “equity,” “access,” and making sure the poor get what the wealthy have. Funny how that generosity stops at the front desk. Apparently, everyone deserves everything… except a room in the places where history was actually made.

I adore visiting the Willard at Christmas time, but this year things felt woefully understaffed. If they’re going to mandate valet parking then they need to hire more staff to run it effectively! It is absolute chaos with extremely long waits for parking, there line impacts traffic patterns for several blocks, car pick up takes ages & forget it if you are wanting a festive drink in a timely manner. I wound up leaving the bar line & just getting a drink elsewhere, so they’re definitely losing $$, in addition to negatively impacting guest experience. The staff they have is doing the best they can, but there’s just not enough of them to handle the (constant, expected) crowds during the holiday season. The bellman podium (which is somehow the only place to get water as the bar is somehow not stocked?) was also unattended & could use more staffing. Please, hire more valets & set up another bar for patrons during Christmas!

I had the pleasure of staying in the Eleanor Roosevelt Oval Suite on a recent trip to DC. The staff at the front desk was lovely! The suite was very large, well appointed, and had great views. I truly hope to stay here again soon!

One of the most storied hotels in Washington, D.C. is the Willard Hotel. In a city where everyone describes locations being "steps away from The White House," the Willard has been literal steps from The White House since the early 19th century. Presidents like President-elect Abraham Lincoln stayed here as well as Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson. MLK edited the final version of his "I Have A Dream" speech from the lobby, where the term "lobbyists" was coined decades before. Many, many, many stories emerge from the Willard. (A small museum inside tells these stories and more.) My wife, eight-year-old daughter and I stayed here one night as a birthday staycation. Here's our experience. 1) Check-In: It's very easy. At the grand reception desk, we had room keys within minutes. Parking is harder to find in the area, but not impossible on the street. If you're okay spending $78 a night, there's a parking garage with valet service. When we walked into our room, there was a welcome spread of snacks, wine, and Honest Kids juice for my daughter. 2) Rooms: Each floor has suites named after famous figures like Frederick Douglass and Eleanor Roosevelt. Our room was 844 and it came with a living room, a little kitchen, two bathrooms, and a bedroom with two queen sized beds. Everything was very comfortable and nice. 3) Amenities: There's a gym and spa on the second floor, a famous bar, a grand lobby, breakfast at Cafe du Parc and more. Nearby are many sites like the World War I Memorial, the Milken Institute, and more.

The Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C. is truly in a league of its own. From the moment you walk through its doors, you’re met with exceptional warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality. The entire banquet team is phenomenal—attentive, organized, and consistently going above and beyond to make every event seamless. The chefs are equally impressive, crafting dishes that are both beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The executive team sets the tone for excellence, and it shows in every detail throughout the hotel. And there’s something unmistakably magical about the Willard during any season—the hallways feel joyous and full of life, making every visit feel special. A timeless hotel with world-class service. The Willard never disappoints.

This Historical building was amazing. It was so beautiful with excellent view of the Washington Monument from our room. The beds were comfortable with great linens. The staff was top notch and loved the Round Bar in the lobby for pre dinner drinks. Loved our stay

Husband and I are on the road again. This time, we took a Lyft to The Willard and enjoyed a two-night, three-day stay. From the moment we arrived, everything was just lovely. Our room was spacious, clean, and welcoming, with a bed so comfortable we didn’t want to get out of it! The service throughout our stay was exceptional. Everyone we encountered was warm, helpful, and genuinely kind. We grabbed a quick lunch at the hotel's restaurant and were pleasantly surprised by how good it was. The hamburger and fries were cooked just right, and the shrimp salad was fresh and flavorful. One thoughtful touch that really stood out was being able to leave our luggage safely at the hotel after checkout while we wrapped up our final meeting. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and we’ll gladly repeat it. Highly recommend The Willard for a relaxing, hassle-free stay.

Great experience from start to finish. Right at the heart of where I needed to be. Check-in was flawless. Rooms great, I arrived 30 min prior to check in, had booked a King room. I was given a room with 2 queens, when I raised this - I was moved without question. French restaurant is decent, not great but solid and decent meal after a long day. Only negative was every room was freezing!! Meeting rooms, restaurant, bar - literally everything was 68f and I was frozen the entire time.

Pinnacle of excellence. From the moment we entered the hotel everything was perfect. Front Desk checkin was quick, and over the weekend we would need them for certain things and they were happy to assist. Cafe du Parc breakfast was exceptional. Round Robin Bar was fun thanks to the bartenders, they were very friendly and attentive. The picture of the Washington Monument was from room 806. Will be back.

It's been 10 years since my sister and I were guests at the Willard, it was a fabulous hotel but hard to move past the one ply toilet paper, I still think about it to this day when I stay in a three star hotel along a highway and the toilet paper out ranks, the Willards. They could've added $20 to my bill and gave me better toilet paper for a better guest experience or made a recommendation to bring your own toilet paper, make it make sense.

We had the most amazing experience at the Willard Hotel. Not only is it located in a prime area with beautiful rooms and great views, but it also has the most charming café right next door with second oldest bar in the DC. What truly stood out, however, was the exceptional service. Ali was wonderful—he took the time to share the rich history of the hotel, checked in with us throughout our stay, and offered thoughtful personal recommendations. His genuine warmth and the friendliness of the entire staff made our experience truly unforgettable. I would definitely come back and highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting D.C.!

Outstanding hotel in the heart of everything you want to see in DC. We stayed for 6 days for an anniversary trip in a Junior Suite, and we were so pleased we selected The Willard. The American Express benefits make staying even more special with a breakfast package, early check-in, and late check-out, along with a credit to spend wherever you wish. We chose to enjoy drinks in the Round Robin Bar nightly, which is a cozy bar with awesome bartenders. Everything about our stay exceeded our expectations

Historic Charm with Unbeatable Location & Views Our family had a fantastic two-night stay at the InterContinental The Willard Washington, D.C. in a One-Bedroom Corner Suite with a breathtaking view of the Washington Monument. The prime location made it easy to explore the city, and the view from our suite was truly unforgettable—especially the incredible moment when we watched Marine One land at the White House right from our living room! The hotel’s historic charm, elegant ambiance, and exceptional service made our stay even more special. The staff was attentive and welcoming, ensuring a comfortable and memorable experience. If you’re looking for a luxurious stay in the heart of D.C. with stunning views and top-notch service, The Willard is an excellent choice. Only we had a small uncomfortable experience at the bar without staff help or attendance but except that everything was great