806 15TH Street NW
Washington, DC 20024
Phone (202) 554-8588|
www.sofitel.com

 

As I entered the Sofitel, I was greeted with remarkably high ceilings and swathed in an envelope of fresh flowers, warm lighting, and crimson color. From the foyer, to Le Bar, to the hotel’s restaurant Ici Urban Bistro*, the color is inviting and acts as two large arms welcoming you into your new home, however ephemeral your stay may be. Purchased by Sofitel in 1999 and opened in 2002, the Sofitel Lafayette Square features new carpet in many of its public spaces, as well as its ballroom… while the remainder of the hotel remains extremely well-maintained and fresh. Classical but contemporary, the hotel’s overall style is refined, elegant and understated, yet still inviting and progressive.

 

So, let’s speak of the rooms first: Upon arrival, I was greeted to a sunny, corner Deluxe room overlooking H Street. The corner table featured a large bottle of Evian and some of Pastry Chef Beverly’s lovely fresh macaroon and blackberry creations… a tasty treat to find for the weary traveler. The hotel has 237 rooms total, on 12 floors, including 16 suites and one Presidential Suite. Overall, these are perhaps some of the largest rooms in the DC area, and with their superior SoBed feature – Sofitel’s heavenly feathertop and duvet “sleep system” high definition flat panel televisions, laptop connections with internet connection, any business or leisure traveler is sure to have all needs met upon arrival. Separate above-bed switches for individual lights make a quick read with your favorite book before bedtime, easy. A Bose Wave Radio is the simplest of alarms to operate, while the sounds of classical music add to the calm and serenity of the environment (or whichever style of music you prefer!) With the color scheme in light butters, bright whites, and dark woods, the décor is soothing to the eye. Plus, the Mogdiliani and Matisse prints throughout remind you of the Hotel’s French roots in High Art.

Now, the important part: the bed: you sink right into it. Fluffy 100% cotton linens, just the right amount of firm to soft ratio in the mattress, and many, feathery pillows… this is a bed you won’t want to leave when it’s time to check out. As for the bathroom, all in each of the Sofitel’s rooms comes with both a deep tub as well as a stand-alone shower. Fluffy white Frette towels and robes await, and marble, granite, and chrome adorn the bathrooms – which also have an especially large footprint. The tub itself has a separate shower head if you wish to rinse off there, instead of taking a separate shower. Nice touch.

If you must get work done, as many of the Sofitel’s business guests do, you’re greeted with an especially large desk that’s perfect for spreading out work, laptop, and all those papers we seem to collect on our travels. With a large mirror hanging above, it also can serve as a Vanity for ladies looking to freshen up before a night out: the lighting is great for makeup, as much as it is for shedding light on that business proposal. Many of the Sofitel’s guests are employed in the Pharmaceutical Industry, in law, or other businesses, but there is also an element of leisure traveler here that makes for a nice mix of people you meet in the elevator, bar, or lobby.

For families, I was also shown a Deluxe Double Double bed room, which was a whopping and fabulous 1,000 square feet. Perfect for those with children, many, I’m sure, enjoyed their time at the Obama inauguration without tripping over one another, because of the room’s generous footprint.

With an overall 5500 square feet of meeting space, the hotel caters best to mid-to smaller sized upscale events. The Paris Ballroom has its own private entrance on H Street, and boasts a lovely area that can turn into a bar, banquet line, or whatever captures your imagination. Sofitel has six separate meeting rooms, and can host events from ten to two hundred. Perfect for a second wedding, a retirement or engagement party, or any other gathering aiming for class, ease, comfort, and warmth, the Paris Ballroom is a lovely gem tucked on the Sofitel’s first floor.

Now, no hotel stay is worth its weight unless you feel the staff is as lovely as the amenities. And they are. And then some. From General Manager and Frenchman Denis Dupart, to the Concierge Monaem, to Mary Shea in Sales and Markeing, to Chef Olivier, the Sofitel’s DC staff will go out of its way to make sure your stay is not only smooth, proper, and easy… but they’ll also make it FUN! Imagine that-making new friends in a new city. At Sofitel, it’s not hard at all.

Of course there’s room service, valet service, concierge service, and more… you name it, the Sofitel will accommodate your needs. And if perhaps you can’t bear to leave Muffy or Fluffy at home during your trip, pets are just as welcome at the Sofitel as any non-furry guest… simply make arrangements with the amiable staff upon reserving your stay.

There aren’t many places that make you feel as comfortable as the Sofitel D.C. in a genuine, authentic way. But they’ve got this down, by just being who they are: consummate French perfection, in every way.

*Please see separate Dining and Service review of Ici Urban Bistro and Le Bar on PointedMagazine.com.
www.sofitel.com