Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. Review: Classic Elegance

The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C remains a perennial favorite in the West End, and its appeal is immediately apparent upon arrival.

Rooms here are spacious (especially by D.C. standards) and decked out with luxe touches like down duvets, crisp Frette linens, Dyson hair dryers, and minibars stocked with everything from champagne and wine to premium spirits and gourmet snacks. Thoughtful touches for business travelers, like a computer monitor, are available upon request. Business travelers may want to book one of the hotel’s Club Level rooms, which provide access to a spacious lounge that’s great for working or taking meetings.

Pros

Club Level option available
Great location in a walkable neighborhood
Easy access to multiple Metro lines
Fine dining options on-site
Spacious rooms
Plush beds topped with Frette linens
Diptyque toiletries
Luxurious robes and slippers
Dyson Airwrap available upon request
Free coffee, tea, and snacks in the lobby throughout the day

Cons

No fitness center (access to the attached Equinox is available for $15 per day, this fee is waived for Club Level guests)

Location

The Ritz-Carlton brand has two hotels in Washington, D.C., located just under one mile apart. I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton on 22nd Street, opting for this one over the Georgetown location because it was more convenient to public transportation and the Metro.

The address of this Ritz-Carlton is 1150 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20037, and it’s in the Foggy Bottom/West End neighborhood. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods to stay in, because it has a ton of restaurants and shopping around, but is just a 20-minute walk to major attractions like the White House.

Rooms

*Ritz Carlton Washington DC Club Level King Room*

The rooms at The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. offer a refined retreat from the city’s hustle, blending sophistication with a sense of place. A chic palette of slate gray and deep blue sets a serene tone, while bold graphic carpets, brass accents, and stylish patterns add a contemporary touch. Thoughtful Washington, D.C. references—like an artsy photo of the city’s famously steep Metro escalators—give the space a distinctive character beyond the typical luxury hotel aesthetic.

Spacious and well-appointed, the rooms feature dedicated sitting areas, ample USB ports, and even the option of a second monitor for remote work. During my stay in a 450-square-foot Club Level Deluxe Room, I enjoyed a plush king bed with luxe Frette linens, a cozy seating area with a couch and armchair, and a well-sized workspace. The Italian marble bathroom was just as impressive, featuring a separate soaking tub, shower, and water closet—plus full-size Diptyque toiletries and even a flat iron.

Restaurants

The Ritz-Carlton has two restaurants on-site, The Saga and Quadrant Bar & Lounge. The Saga is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves Spanish-influenced cuisine.

Quadrant Bar & Lounge is a great place to grab a pre-dinner drink (there’s a fun cocktail scene here), or a small bite as an aperitif.

Room service is available 24/7, so you can always get something to eat (which is rare in a city like Washington, D.C., where late-night dining can be hard to find).

Club Level Experience

I stayed in a Club Level Room at the Ritz-Carlton, which gave me access to the Club Level Lounge. Read my full review of the Ritz-Carlton Club Level here. The Club Level lends an all-inclusive feel to your stay, offering complimentary light meals, snacks, and drinks throughout the day. This is a worthy investment if you don’t plan on leaving the hotel much or will be working remotely throughout your stay, but otherwise, I don’t recommend it for the Washington, D.C. location, where you’ll want to be out exploring and sampling the local restaurants instead of staying in the Club Lounge all day.

My favorite Club Level perk was the ability to get a late checkout. I was given a 2 pm checkout when the checkout time is normally 11 am.

Spa & Pool

If you’re looking for an on-site pool and spa, choose the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown. The 22nd Street Ritz-Carlton location does not have either. However, there is a lovely spa and indoor pool available at the attached Equinox Sports Club.

Guests at the 22nd Street Ritz-Carlton can book spa treatments at the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton and will receive complimentary transportation to and from their appointments.

We also recommend the Waldorf Astoria Washington, D.C., which has a great spa.