Washington, DC has always been a great place to visit — easy to navigate, rich in classic architecture (and lacking in skyscrapers) and offering an abundance of world-class museums and attractions free of charge. However, it's always been a bit, well, fuddy duddy.
But, like him or not, President Barack Obama has injected a fresh new energy into Washington, DC and a much-needed dash of sass to the Capitol city. Add to this presidential buzz, a clutch of new hotels, bars and restaurants and it's a city you don't want to miss right now.
If you're looking to share your digs with the who's who of DC, book into The St Regis hotel (starwoodhotels.com), which has reopened after a 16-month renovation by interior-design group Sills Huniford (which has worked for the likes of Vera Wang and Tina Turner). The restaurant is by legendary French chef Alain Ducasse and has been designed by The Rockwell Group. The St Regis is a DC legend and is the kind of spot you'll see Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emmanuel, holding court.
If you want to rest your head a stone's throw from Obama, the W Washington, DC - a totally revamped 1917 Beaux Arts building — is the closest hotel to the White House (starwoodhotels.com). The capital's first W boasts a rooftop lounge and bar, a Jean-Georges Vongerichten Steak House (J&G) and a Bliss Spa.
Part of the Thompson Hotel group, the recently opened boutique bolt hole Donovan House (thompsonhotels.com) offers pleasing luxuries (flatscreen TV, iPod docks, Kiehl's amenities, Sferra linens, 24-hour gym) plus a rooftop pool and lounge. While certainly the coolest hotel in DC, its location in Thomas Circle is a little less central than the W and St Regis so put on your trainers or grab the subway to adventure further than the White House.
Those in the know are keeping a close eye on up-and-coming chef Peter Pastan of Italian restaurant Obelisk (+1 202 872 1180). This raved-about spot offers diners a daily changing tasting menu of seasonal dishes that delight politicos and pasta snobs alike.
Americans have embraced the haute beer trend with gusto and Birch & Barley in Logan Circle offers over 500 bottles plus 50 on tap (birchandbarley.com). The space is really two ideas under one roof: upstairs is a big bar called ChurchKey (churchkeydc.com) serving retro-revival snacks, such as devilled eggs, while below is a fully fledged restaurant. The kitchen for both is headed by chef Kyle Bailey who previously worked at some of the hottest restaurants in New York.
If you like a scene while you dine, the newly opened lounge-cum-restaurant Buddha Bar DC (a spin-off of the Parisian original) is the place to head, with DJs playing, an 18ft-tall statue of an Indonesian Buddha and a 40-bottle sake list to accompany the pan-Asian menu (buddhabardc.com). Secure a reservation in advance and get your party togs on.
While DC can't compete with New York or LA for the hardened shopaholic, the picturesque district of Georgetown is a terrific destination for a shopping meander. Washington's oldest and wealthiest neighbourhood is also home to Georgetown University, so stores cater for ritzy and funkier tastes. It has a crop of cute boutiques like Lost Boys (lostboysdc.com), which offers super-hip men's gear, and Wink (shopwinkdc.com), a girly shop hidden underneath a Steve Madden shoe store, as well as larger outlets like Anthropologie (anthropologie.com) and Barney's Co-op (barneys.com). When you've maxed out your credit card, head down to the new Georgetown Waterfront Park (georgetownwaterfrontpark.org) to sit by the Potomac River for some well-deserved R&R.
British Airways flies to Washington, DC (Dulles and Baltimore) from London Heathrow. Visit ba.com.
