2020 has only just begun, and this year is already in full swing! Last weekend, accompanied by Ella and Logan, I kicked off the new year with a staycation atThe Mayflower Hotel! The Mayflower, part of the Autograph Collection is absolutely timeless!
Since it opened nearly 100 years ago in 1925, the Mayflower Hotel has served as a social hub, hosted countless weddings and balls, and has accommodated numerous famous guests. To this day, The Mayflower is recognized as one of D.C.’s premier hotels, and my stay here lived up to its lofty reputation. Although The Mayflower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its rooms are contemporary and vibrant with all of the modern amenities that you would expect from a hotel of its caliber. Marble countertops, plush furniture, plasma TVs, and more adorned my room and created an oasis of calm only steps away from the hustle and bustle of Connecticut Ave.
From Presidential inaugural speeches to occasions of intrigue and scandal, The Mayflower has set the stage for Washington’s influencers through the decades. The renovation pays homage to The Mayflower’s past while dressing the hotel up in grand style for the future.
A few key moments in history at The Mayflower include:
- FDR wrote his infamous “the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself” speech at the hotel
- President Harry Truman is where The Mayflower received the nickname “Washington’s Second Best Address” (he stayed here when the White House was remodeled)
- J. Edgar Hoover dined there every day for over 20 years
One of the factors that have contributed to The Mayflower Hotel’s long term success is its location. Mere blocks away from the White House, Dupont Circle, and K street, the hotel is literally and figuratively at the pulse of the city. In addition to the aforementioned landmarks, the hotel is also located near the National Geographic Museum. Currently, the museum is host to Becoming Jane, a multimedia exhibit celebrating the life of Dr. Jane Goodall, one of the most prolific minds of our time. The hands-on exhibit was fun, comprehensive and transformative, and we immensely enjoyed our afternoon of learning more about Dr. Gooddall’s extraordinary life and work. In my opinion, learning is best done in dynamic hands-on environments because they are more conducive for lessons that resonate for years to come, and that is exactly what we experienced at the exhibit.
While at The Mayflower, we took in its unique architecture and also enjoyed plenty of delicious food. Edgar Bar & Kitchen boldly captures the flavors of a traditional American brasserie with a modern flair, using local ingredients. Between our steak dinners, breakfast in bed, and a delightful lunch, it’s a miracle that we decided to leave the hotel at all. We were able to walk over to the National Theatre to see one of the final performances of Jersey Boys! Located a few blocks southeast of The Mayflower, the National Theatre is just one of the many historic buildings near the hotel that has also stood the test of time. For over 200 years, the theatre has entertained Washingtonians, including myself on numerous occasions. As a trained actress, I deeply admire live performers because I know just how challenging it can be at times. That being said, my appreciation of musical theatre grew even more because of how amazing the cast of the show was. Every song and dance was executed flawlessly and I can’t wait until the next time I’m able to attend a show!
Check out my Instagram highlights to see our Room Tour and more from my staycation at The Mayflower Hotel and make a reservation there for your next staycation to see for yourself why it’s the perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury!
{Thank-you to The Mayflower Hotel for partnering on this post!}
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