After a major $125 million renovation and nearly a decade-long hiatus, Washington’s famed Watergate Hotel marked its grand reopening last night with a star-studded black tie event.
Located along the Potomac River, The Watergate Hotel is a beacon of luxury for both leisure and business travelers. Designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti in 1961 to resemble a sail on the river, the hotel opened in March 1967, quickly becoming a symbol of modern sophistication and elegance.
“The Watergate stands as one of the most glamorous and prestigious hotels globally,” said Rakel Cohen, Senior Vice President of Design and Development at Euro Capital Properties. “We have meticulously renovated every detail and are thrilled to realize our vision. The hotel’s allure is enhanced by its evocative design, retro aesthetic, and the mysterious charm embedded in its architecture.”
The hotel’s 336 stylish guest rooms, many featuring balconies, have been updated with luxurious amenities, including floor-to-ceiling Zebrano marble bathrooms with granite vanities, superior in-room features, 24-hour dining, advanced technology, and diffusers with the hotel’s signature Red Flower Oakwood scent.
Guests and local residents can enjoy a range of high-end dining and beverage options overseen by Executive Chef Michael Santoro. Kingbird, now open for reservations, offers a dual-concept dining experience with a vibrant bar, outdoor riverfront seating, and an elegant dining room serving prix fixe dinners. The menu features American cuisine with a French influence, complemented by a global wine list. The Next Whisky Bar, with its striking vertical wall of custom whisky bottles, provides an array of spirits, including whisky, bourbon, and rye, along with a selection of cigars available for enjoyment on the terrace or rooftop. This summer, the hotel will also unveil Top of the Gate, a rooftop lounge with 360-degree views of the Potomac River, Capitol, and Washington Monument, offering bottle service, signature cocktails, and Asian street food.
Additionally, the hotel will introduce Argentta Spa, a 12,000-square-foot facility featuring eight suites, a unisex steam room, a nail salon, saunas, steam rooms, and an indoor saltwater pool, opening early this summer.
The reopening celebration drew numerous notable guests and socialites from DC for an evening of elegance and glamour.