• September 17, 2024

Discover What’s New in Washington, DC for Meetings and Events

Discover What’s New in Washington, DC for Meetings and Events

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Washington, DC continues to evolve as a premier destination for meetings and events, with several new and renovated venues that offer unique experiences for event planners. Here’s a look at the latest additions and updates that make DC an exciting place for your next event…

New hotel openings

Washington Marriott Capitol Hill made its debut in the destination in January 2023, located between Washington DC’s iconic Capitol Hill and emerging NoMa neighborhoods. The 234-room property is near Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Union Station and within walking distance of the iconic DC destinations.

The hotel offers pre-function and event space that can accommodate up to 280, while being customisable for intimate events. There’s also a courtyard, offering the nation’s skyline as a backdrop, for special events and celebrations.

Opened in September 2023, Royal Sonesta Washington DC Capitol Hill features a dramatic, light filled 10-story atrium and art installations that reference the hotel’s surroundings, including portraits of Supreme Court Justices, news clippings and political motifs. Ideal for sustainably minded planners, the hotel is LEED Gold Certified with a WELL Certified Core/Shell, vegetated green roof and EV charging stations.

There are 274 guest rooms, some of the largest in the city, the multi-purpose Sonesta Work Suite, an experiential meeting space concept that provides a multi-zone and tech-enabled meeting experience, as well as a ballroom and conference centre on the penthouse level with panoramic city views overlooking several national monuments.

Opening this November, the forthcoming Arlo Washington, DC will offer 445 rooms combining historic charm with contemporary elegance. Just blocks from the city’s top attractions and government agencies, the National Mall, the Convention Center, and Union Station are all less than a 15-minute walk away.

Amenities include a fitness center, rooftop pool and lounge, a signature Spanish restaurant and versatile event spaces.

Renowned & refreshed hotels

In addition to these new openings, a raft of exciting renovations and recent rebrands make DC’s hotel scene event more appealing to event planners right now.

Salamander Washington DC (located in the former 373-key Mandarin Oriental) has recently put the finishing touches to its refreshed bar, pool and guest suites, which will be followed by a luxury two-story spa. Meanwhile, Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s highly anticipated return to the nation’s capital, Dōgon, opened at the hotel in September.

The former Renaissance Washington, DC has undergone a nearly $80 million brand conversion under the Westin flag. The 807-room Westin Washington, DC Downtown puts wellbeing at the forefront with all-encompassing health and wellness experiences, including the largest hotel fitness studio in the city, Peloton suites and the local RunWESTIN program. The property features modern meeting spaces and workstations, as well as Root and Vine, an open-kitchen concept with locally sourced menus, botanical-inspired cocktails and a biodynamic wine program.

The centrally located Washington Marriott at Metro Center has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation with elevated amenities, including updated guest rooms, technology-enabled work surfaces, a state-of-the-art fitness centre with Peloton equipment, refreshed indoor pool area and modernized 24/7 M Club. The 459-room property offers 14 event spaces including a Grand Ballroom for up to 650 guests.

Four Seasons Washington, DC recently unveiled a multimillion-dollar renovation to its famed spa including state-of-the-art treatment rooms, a dedicated couples’ massage room with a deep soaking bathtub for two, a co-ed lounge and an updated indoor swimming pool. Guests will have the opportunity to experience Mind Sync Technology, which connects to the treatment tables and uses advanced technology to synchronise brainwaves, inducing a deep state of relaxation and mental clarity.

Positioned at the gateway to Georgetown, steps from iconic institutions and historic landmarks, the five-star property features 222 rooms and versatile event spaces from ballrooms to breakout rooms.

A staple of downtown DC since 1926, the historic St. Regis Washington, DC hotel revealed an extensive redesign and renovation of its 182 rooms, suites and select spaces, including its iconic Astor Ballroom and adjacent Astor Terrace. Dramatic floor-to-ceiling arched windows and crystal chandeliers adorn this sought-after venue with its original hardwood floors and historic ceilings.

As a part of the hotel’s larger renovation plan, the next phase of construction will see a new outdoor terrace at Alhambra, the hotel’s on-site modern Mediterranean restaurant, as well as updates to the famed, lobby-level St. Regis Bar.

Another historic property, Capital Hilton Washington, DC completed a 13-month renovation of the entire property. First opened in 1943 and on the National Register of Historic Places, the Washington, D.C. hotel now has an art-deco aesthetic laid over its brutalist architecture.

The property, which has hosted many international dignitaries, and a few US presidents, boasts an ideal location, just two blocks from The White House. The property’s 21 event spaces have also been refreshed, which include adjoining ballrooms that can more accommodate more than 1,000 guests.

Historic venues & unique spaces

Outside of its impressive hotel scene, Washington, DC is brimming with unique backdrops and historic spaces, ideal for conferences, dinners, receptions and more.

Reopened in October 2023, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium has capacity for up to 689 seated guests and 1,000 standing and features additional smaller rooms and a covered outdoor deck.

Anchored by the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, the Folger Shakespeare Library is a place where curiosity and creativity are embraced, and conversation is always encouraged. This historic and unique venue recently unveiled an $80 million expansion and renovation, which includes a public pavilion with new exhibition halls and galleries.

Gourmet food hall Union Market District provides a quirky backdrop for events, dinners and group activities, with over 40 pop-ups and permanent vendors serving up an array of dishes up made-in-DC baked goods, fresh seafood, global flavours. There’s Dock5, which offers a flexible 12,000-sq.-foot event space, while Hi-Lawn rooftop provides lawn games, picnic space, and event space for up to 1,000.

The Wharf, one of the most vibrant areas in the city, is another great destination for meeting and event groups, with more than 80 restaurants and shops and four hotels offering extensive event space, including InterContinental Washington D.C. District Pier and Transit Pier offer stunning waterfront views and ample outdoor space, and the Anthem music venue can host large-scale events.

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