Washington, D.C.
Suburban Maryland
Suburban Virginia
- The Liaison Capitol Hill (202.638.1616; www.affinia.com) recently debuted on Capitol Hill near Union Station. The 343-room hotel has 10,000 square feet of meeting space with high-tech amenities.
- Marriott Wardman Park (202.328.2000; www.wardmanparkmarriott.com) recently completed a $100 million renovation. With 1,316 guest rooms and 195,000 square feet of convention and exhibition space, the property is the capital’s largest convention hotel. Among the new amenities is Stone’s Throw, a signature American steakhouse restaurant that has four private dining rooms available for group use.
- The St. Regis Washington, D.C. (202.638.2626; www.starwoodhotels.com) recently finished a top-to-bottom $34 million renovation on its circa-1926 structure. High-tech features now come with the original hand-painted lobby and ballroom ceilings, in addition to updated butler service that’s enhanced by the use of handheld wireless devices for guest assistance. The St. Regis offers 11,000 square feet of meeting space.
- Hyatt Regency Washington (202.719.8440; www.madesigncenter.com) recently unveiled the Monumental Affairs Design Center, a boutique and showroom on Capitol Hill that allows planners to select china, linen, floral, and entertainment for their events. The center caters to events not only at the hotel but also at any of the city’s unique event locations.
- Donovan House (202.737.1200; thomp sonhotels.com) named for “Wild Bill” Donovan, the legendary general whose covert operations gave birth to the CIA, has brought 193 stylish, high-tech guest rooms by Studio Gaia to D.C. It’s the latest addition to Thompson Hotels’ hip collection, which includes New York’s 60 Thompson and L.A.’s Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
- The Jefferson Hotel (202.347.2200; www.thejeffersonwashingtondc.com) closed for a property-wide restoration that will include new guest rooms, restaurants and event spaces. The property is scheduled to reopen in mid-2009.
- Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. (202.342.0444; www.fourseasons.com/washington) is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation that includes upgrades to its 62 guest rooms and Seasons restaurant. The property is also adding on-site retailers, including a chocolate and wine specialty bar.
- The Hilton Washington (202.483.3000; www.washington.hilton.com) is undergoing a $100 million renovation following its $290 million purchase by sports celebrity Magic Johnson and investment partners. Enhancements to the property’s guest rooms and 110,000 square feet of event space are included in the project.
- The $500 million Newseum (703.284.3544; www.newseum.org), the world’s first museum of news, opened on Pennsylvania Avenue near the U.S. Capitol in April.
Suburban Maryland
- Gaylord National Resort Hotel and Convention Center (301.965.2000; www.gaylordhotels.com) recently debuted as the centerpiece of the massive National Harbor (www.nationalharbor.com) development in Prince George’s County, Md. The property has 2,000 guest rooms and 470,000 square feet of meeting space. National Harbor continues to open new restaurants, attractions and hotels along its 1.5-mile waterfront. Among the other newcomers are the 195-room Westin National Harbor (301.567.3999; www.starwoodhotels.com), featuring three meeting rooms and the 151-room Hampton Inn and Suites (301.567.3531; www.hamptoninn.com), in addition to Seadog cruises and McCormick & Schmick’s Restaurant.
- Westin Baltimore Washington Airport (443.577.2300; www.westin.com/bwi) recently opened with 260 guest rooms and 7,300 square feet of function space.
- Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (301.822.9200; www.marriott.com) plans to unveil an expansion in January 2009. The project includes the addition of a new wing that will bring the property’s total guest room count to 450.
Suburban Virginia
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Westin Alexandria (703.253.8601; www.westin.com) recently opened with 319 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
- Hotel Monaco Alexandria (202.939.6441; www.kimptonhotels.com), formerly a Holiday Inn Select property, recently opened with 241 guest rooms and 8,000 square feet of meeting space.
- Hotel Palomar Arlington (703.351.9170; www.hotelpalomar-arlington.com) recently opened with 154 guest rooms and 3,200 square feet of function space.
- Westin Arlington Gateway (703.717.6200; www.starwoodhotels.com) recently opened in the Ballston neighborhood with 336 guest rooms and a 7,000-square-foot ballroom.
- Signature Theatre (571.527.1860; www.stayarlington.com) is a new $16 million venue with two black-box theaters, one with 275 seats expandable to 349, and the second with 99 seats. The facility is available for meetings and events, and features a 550-space parking garage.