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Opened in 1986, the Park Hyatt Washington, DC options an inside design and furnishings — which had been up to date in 2006 and once more in 2017 by designer Tony Chi — that commemorate American crafts and heritage through items like Shaker furnishings, vintage gameboards and duck decoys. There’s a contact of modernism as properly, with cherry blossom-adorned glass panels designed by Amanda Weil within the foyer and on high of visitor room desks and tables.
The lodge’s signature Michelin-distinguished restaurant, Blue Duck Tavern, appears to attract as many locals as lodge visitors to its world-class eating expertise that includes seasonal menus and an in depth wine record.
The Tea Cellar, which provides one of many best-curated tea alternatives within the U.S., sits adjoining to the Blue Duck Lounge off the foyer. It’s a semiprivate area with glassed-in areas for personal eating, in addition to glass humidors with greater than 35 uncommon and limited-production, single-estate teas.
What’s the Park Hyatt Washington, DC?
The Park Hyatt Washington, DC is part of Hyatt’s luxurious manufacturers, so reserving this lodge as a World of Hyatt loyalist might be a no brainer for incomes or redeeming factors. There are 220 visitor rooms, together with 134 suites, that are spacious with a residential really feel. On-site gourmand eating is obtainable, together with room service.
Whereas the placement is near the Foggy Backside Metro station, on-site valet parking can also be out there for $55 per day.
The lodge is pet-friendly, with facilities resembling a canine mattress, a water bowl and treats awaiting your canine upon arrival. The nonrefundable pet price of $150 is assessed each seven days of a keep. The lodge’s pet coverage states a 50-pound weight restrict for one canine and a mixed 75-pound restrict for 2 canine. A portion of the pet price is donated to the Humane Rescue Alliance.
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Learn how to ebook the Park Hyatt Washington, DC
I booked the lodge by way of American Categorical Wonderful Accommodations + Resorts as I had but to make use of the $200 annual credit score on The Platinum Card® from American Categorical in my pockets. I benefit from the Amex Wonderful Accommodations + Resorts advantages when touring as a result of I’m normally granted an early check-in time of midday and at all times assured the 4 p.m. late checkout. Day by day breakfast for 2 is included as a $100 property credit score as properly, and room upgrades can also be supplied relying on availability.
For this keep, I lucked out and was upgraded from an ordinary king room to a Park Junior Suite. The overall value for 3 nights was $1,142, however that was earlier than the Amex assertion credit score of $200 was utilized.
In case you are a World of Hyatt member, you may ebook this Class 5 lodge utilizing Hyatt factors. A regular room with one king mattress or two double beds requires redeeming 17,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time, whereas a Park Junior Suite will set you again 29,000 factors per night time.
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Quiet location near a few of DC’s greatest neighborhoods
Considered one of my necessities when touring is that my lodge should be walkable or close to public transportation — and the Park Hyatt fulfills each of these standards. The lodge sits within the West Finish neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on the nook of twenty fourth Avenue and M Avenue, about 4 blocks north of George Washington College and the Foggy Backside Metro station.
It solely takes about quarter-hour to journey the Metro from Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA) to Foggy Backside and one other 10 minutes to stroll straight north up twenty fourth Avenue to the lodge. Better of all, that Metro journey will solely value you a couple of bucks.
When you attain the West Finish space, you’ll discover it’s filled with high-end lodge properties — the Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown is straight throughout the road from the Park Hyatt, The Westin Georgetown, Washington, DC is on the other nook and The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC is 2 blocks away on twenty second Avenue.
Stroll west on M Avenue for 5 blocks, and also you’ll be within the coronary heart of the historic Georgetown neighborhood, which is full of retail retailers and eateries. Or, take a 10-minute stroll northeast to succeed in Dupont Circle, the place there are extra nice eating places, plus a number of bars, bookstores and museums.
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Rooms are spacious and residential
Normal visitor rooms on the Park Hyatt begin at 336 sq. ft. Every options one king or two double beds, in addition to a seating space with a chaise lounge, a desk and an outsized chair. All lodge rooms provide soaking tubs along with a big walk-in bathe.
The Park Junior Suite the place I stayed was a beneficiant 544 sq. ft and had one king mattress and a separate residing space with the identical furnishings as an ordinary room, plus a desk within the residing space and a bigger rest room and walk-in closet space with a sliding mirrored door to shut it off from the bed room and residing area.
One neat bed room element was the wall-mounted TV, which swiveled inside the built-in leisure heart so I may watch the TV from mattress or flip it so it was viewable from the residing space.
The lavatory was spectacular, too, because it was giant sufficient to suit a single-sink self-importance with ample counter area, a soaking tub surrounded by darkish pure stone and a spa-like walk-in bathe that would simply accommodate 5 individuals. The bathe supplied each a rain showerhead and a hand-held nozzle, plus a ledge with full-size pump bottles of Le Labo bathtub merchandise with a Bergamont scent that occurs to be considered one of my favorites.
Past the Le Labo merchandise within the bathe, the lavatory had equally scented physique lotion and hand cleaning soap by the sink. Vainness kits had been additionally tucked into an oval Shaker field fabricated from cherrywood.
On the wall dividing the bed room from the residing space was a minibar hidden in a cupboard above a espresso maker. Regardless of being empty, the minibar might be stocked upon request through a offered QR code or by dialing zero from the room telephone.
The residing space itself got here outfitted with snug chairs and a settee, plus an open bookshelf arrange with cocktail glasses, stir sticks, a bottle opener, a bottle of water and ice freshly stocked within the ice bucket.
An sudden discover was the ebook of American duck decoys additionally on the bookshelf. Having grown up within the D.C., Maryland and Virginia space — identified regionally because the DMV — duck searching with decoys is a typical regional pastime, and my grandparents occurred to gather decoys as artwork. So, seeing this ebook that includes among the well-known Maryland artists I grew up listening to about, resembling Lem and Steve Ward from the Jap Shore, instantly left me feeling nostalgic.
I additionally appreciated discovering a welcome amenity on the lounge aspect desk once I arrived. The 20-ounce bottle of Saratoga pure spring water and the small picket tube of chocolate-covered cherries served as the proper candy deal with to get pleasure from whereas settling in.
Total, I beloved how shiny the suite was due to home windows all alongside the residing space wall and inside the bed room. Nevertheless, just one window in the lounge opened about 2 inches as a security precaution, making it troublesome to get pleasure from recent air in my suite.
This lack of sufficient airflow proved disappointing the primary night time of my keep, because the suite was too scorching and stuffy at round 70 levels, and the air-conditioning unit was solely capable of carry the temperature all the way down to the mid-60s.
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On-site meals and beverage shops are removed from normal
Whereas the property solely has one sit-down restaurant, plus an adjoining lounge, a separate tea venue and room service, the Michelin-recognized eatery impressed with its number of up to date American dishes.
Dinner at Blue Duck Tavern
On the primary night time of my keep, I arrived at 7 p.m. and was promptly escorted to a desk near a window overlooking M Avenue. The restaurant and next-door lounge had been each bustling for a Thursday night time.
After welcoming us, the server offered a heat bread basket with salted butter whereas my eating companion and I reviewed the menu.
Every little thing on the menu sounded fantastic, so it was troublesome to slender down the alternatives, however after a quick chat with the server, we selected the tuna crudo ($24) to start out. It arrived with a crispy puffed rice garnish on high; the chunks of tuna had been flavorful and tossed in a light-weight citrus sauce with marcona almonds.
For the principle entrees, we ordered a jumbo lump crabcake ($26) and the roasted duck breast with a confit leg, fruit mostarda and duck bone discount ($45). The duck breast was crispy on the surface and melt-in-your-mouth tender inside.
Pureed potatoes ($13) and roasted honeynut squash ($18) rounded out the meal and accompanied the entrees properly, together with a glass of Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc from New Zealand ($19) and an Outdated-Usual-inspired Park DC cocktail ($20).
The dessert choices had been all seasonal and native. We opted for the pear-ginger sorbet ($5), which was a light-weight and fantastic palate cleanser. The pear taste was not upstaged by the ginger; it tasted such as you had been biting right into a juicy, recent pear.
Total, the service was attentive and coursed out properly. The atmosphere was energetic — a number of giant events had been seated close by — so the din of conversations and a busy open idea allowed visitors to see the workers zipping about.
Since I booked my stick with Amex Wonderful Accommodations + Resorts, I used to be capable of apply my $100 on-site lodge credit score to the dinner simply by signing the invoice to my room.
Breakfast at Blue Duck Tavern
I additionally dined within the restaurant on each Saturday and Sunday mornings of my keep so I may use my day by day Amex Wonderful Accommodations + Resorts breakfast credit.
For breakfast, Blue Duck Tavern makes use of bar seating in the course of the day, and the small two-tops are a lot quieter than the principle eating room close to the open kitchen. On the weekend mornings, I noticed many households with youthful kids eating on the venue.
Throughout our first breakfast at Blue Duck Tavern, we ordered the BDT Benedict ($28), the Duck Confit Hash ($29), a aspect of crispy potatoes ($11) and cappuccinos ($8 every). The service was attentive and fast however not rushed. Our server checked in on us and the dishes as soon as they arrived. Each foremost dishes had been savory and ready to our satisfaction.
Sunday’s breakfast, sadly, was a little bit of a unique story. I ordered the Sourdough Einkorn Waffle ($23) with a aspect of pork sausage ($8). Whereas the meals arrived promptly, I used to be offered with pancakes as an alternative of the waffle I had ordered. The server delivering the meals was not the identical one who took the order, so he instantly returned to the open kitchen, the place I may see him chatting with the chef earlier than returning a couple of minutes later with the waffle.
After that, the service appeared to taper off — we had been by no means checked on once more or supplied water or espresso refills. After I lastly flagged somebody down for the examine (our server was not seen), it took one other 20 minutes for the examine to reach. By this time, it was after 10 a.m., that means we’d quickly be previous the breakfast window our Amex Wonderful Accommodations + Resorts breakfast credit score might be utilized in. Fortunately, all of it labored out, and we departed earlier than brunch started at 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon tea on the Tea Cellar
I at all times benefit from the formality of a great afternoon tea service. Nevertheless, a lot to my disappointment, I used to be not capable of partake within the service since I used to be testing on Sunday, the one day you may get pleasure from this expertise.
Nonetheless, the menu appears implausible, with an array of savory and candy treats to accompany all types of teas, all for an inexpensive value, so in case your plans allow it, do your greatest to suit the service in. You possibly can get pleasure from afternoon tea on Sundays from 3 to five p.m. for $75 per individual plus tax and a 20% service cost, which should be pay as you go on the Tock reservation platform.
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Wellness choices can be found, although they’re not easy
Whereas I anticipated to search out at the very least normal health and spa amenities throughout my keep, given the Park Hyatt’s high-end vibe, I unexpectedly discovered them troublesome to search out and use.
The health heart was outfitted properly with Peloton bikes, treadmills, weight gear and free weights. By the doorway, there was additionally a wall of kit like exercise stability balls, bands and kettlebells. Moreover, guests may make the most of complimentary bottled water, rolled towels and sanitizing wipes.
Nevertheless, the health club was difficult to find, as I needed to take the principle elevator to stage 3, then observe a collection of indicators down an extended hall of rooms to a stairwell door directing me to go down one ground to search out it near the extent 2 exit.
Equally, the “spa” space across the nook was a little bit of a letdown. Quite than a conventional facility with therapeutic massage rooms and shared leisure areas, there have been solely a small indoor saltwater pool and a separate scorching tub for soaking … and the atmosphere was missing. Regardless of a number of picket lounge chairs outfitted with cushions and rolled towels, there was noticeable injury to the ceiling above the pool lounge chairs that wanted consideration.
Should you’re set on having fun with a therapy throughout your keep, you do have the choice of reserving a service by way of the concierge, although it’s outsourced to an area firm referred to as Detox Therapeutic massage and may solely be offered in your visitor room. Notice, too, that as a result of the lodge outsources all spa remedies, any visitor who booked their keep through Amex Wonderful Accommodations + Resorts can’t use their $100 property credit score to cowl a spa service. This was a bummer to study, as I’d hoped to use my credit score to a therapy.
Causes the Park Hyatt Washington, DC won’t be for you
- The lodge’s lack of an on-site spa will possible be a letdown to those that crave a dose of pampering whereas in D.C.
- In case you are looking for cheap meals, this won’t be the very best location for you because of the fine-dining nature of the restaurant and the excessive room service costs.
- The design of the lodge (i.e., a scarcity of everlasting ramps for coming into the foyer) makes it a problem for visitors with mobility points to traverse.
- Recent air is proscribed in visitor rooms because of the design of the home windows, so for those who choose controlling a room’s temperature by opening a window, it’s possible you’ll be upset within the incapability to totally open your lodging’s home windows.
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Accessibility
The Park Hyatt provides accessible visitor rooms with options resembling closed-captioning for TVs, lowered thermostats and light-weight switches, emergency strobe-light smoke detectors and doorways measuring 32 inches large.
Take note, although, that different areas, such because the foyer, usually are not as accessible. Upon coming into the foyer, there are steps down on three sides that don’t have everlasting ramps. Nevertheless, you’ll find a everlasting ramp into Blue Duck Tavern from the foyer walkway (on the reverse finish of the foyer from the check-in space), which you may take to then exit on to the sidewalk exterior through the restaurant’s foremost entrance door.
There are additionally chair lifts out there on the pool and the new tub, although these areas might require some additional help to succeed in because of the quirky location of the moist space.
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Trying out
Total, my keep on the Park Hyatt Washington, DC was enjoyable and gratifying. The checkout course of was seamless, the placement was unimaginable — it was the proper jumping-off level for thus many close by points of interest — and the meals from Blue Duck Tavern was distinctive for a lodge. To not point out, the property gives a ton of worth while you ebook with World of Hyatt factors or by way of the Amex Wonderful Accommodations + Resorts program.
I sit up for returning to the Park Hyatt for a future keep. Hopefully, my subsequent keep will coincide with the Tea Cellar’s afternoon tea service so I can partake in that have and make my return go to much more memorable.
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