Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton In Washington, D.C.

[First_Class_Flyer]

For the 4th of July weekend, I will be going down to Washington, D.C.. Both the Four Seasons and the Ritz sound very nice, they are both Mobil 4 star properties. I went to trip advisor.com and found better reviews for the Ritz. Has anyone stayed at these properties? Or can someone recommend another property that is equal to or better to these two.


I know the drive is about 3 and 1/2 hours and flying would be nice. I called Continental and the fare was $179. I would be coming from EWR or JFK, so is there a cheaper alternative?

[blueDC]

From EWR, check out flyi.com (Independence Air). $49 each-way (more convenient times are higher-priced) but it arrives into IAD which almost cancels out the cost-savings if you take a cab into the city. Nonetheless, this is a good low-priced option for the EWR-IAD route. $179 over that weekend sounds like a steal to me. I just paid $183 (!) for a DCA-LGA shuttle over a non-event July weekend.

I haven't stayed at either property so I can't comment (I've visited both many, many times). Just to keep your options open, don't forget to check out the new Mandarin Oriental in DC. The location is slightly inconvenient for shopping and restaurants but far more convenient to the museums and monuments on the National Mall and hence, the Fourth of July fireworks

[First_Class_Flyer]

Thankyou very much. That's very helpful. I will give Independence Air a call.

[First_Class_Flyer]

I just got off the phone with Mandarin Oriental and I got a price of $445 the first night with the second complementary. I think that's a really great offer. The only reason I am not booking that Continental price is because later this summer, in August, I am taking a very expensive vacation and am not looking to spend $800 to $1000 on a weekend trip. I think I will drive. I like the looks of the Mandarin and as you said, it looks like a good place to see the fireworks.

[blueDC]

Originally Posted by First_Class_Flyer

I just got off the phone with Mandarin Oriental and I got a price of $445 the first night with the second complementary. I think that's a really great offer...I like the looks of the Mandarin and as you said, it looks like a good place to see the fireworks.

Sweet! For that price, I'd stay there too

If I'm not mistaken, the fireworks are launched from 17th ST - between the Washington Monument and the WWII Memorial - into the sky directly above the Washington Monument. The MO|DC has a dead-on view of the top-half of the Washington Monument and since the 30-minute long fireworks display takes place mostly above the Monument, I can only imagine the view from the MO to be spectacular. Alternatively, you can brave the crowds (and stifling heat) and sit next to the reflecting pool (of Forrest Gump fame) between the Lincoln and WWII Memorials. Enjoy!

[alvn]

I'll also be staying at the Mandarin Oriental, a bit later in July. I don't know too much about it, but it's very convenient for where I need to be.

The view of the fireworks from your room will depend on the orientation of your room.

However, if you book a suite or a club-level room, you'll be able to use the Club Lounge. That sounds like it would probably have an excellent view of the fireworks display. From the Mandarin Oriental Web site: "And the view from the Club Lounge across the city is breathtaking, taking in the Bureau or Engraving and Printing and the FCC, to the Washington Monument and beyond. There is also a terrace, and even two telescopes to ensure you make the most of the view."

In terms of getting there from the New York area, I would definitely take Amtrak over flying or driving. (I've tried all three options. I grew up in D.C. and frequently visited New York.) If you live extremely close to one of the airports, flying is a viable option. However, from Manhattan, I'd highly recommend the train. Many of the trains take well under three hours from New York Penn.

Once you arrive into Union Station, you can either take a taxi or Metro to the hotel.

[First_Class_Flyer]

Amtrak is good. I just called them, although I would really prefer to fly, I think I will book with them. Has anyone tried their Business Class, because that is the class I would do?


Now I just have to find the right hotel.

[alvn]

You might know this already, but Amtrak runs three main kinds of trains in the New York-Washington corridor:

• Acela Express is the fastest and the newest kind of train. It makes the fewest stops.
• Metroliner is a bit slower.
• Regional is slower still.

Acela Express and Metroliner both have two classes: First and Business.

Some Regional trains have only Coach. Other Regional trains have Business and Coach.

I think that Business class on Acela Express and Metroliner is pretty nice. Business class on the Regional trains isn't quite as nice, but it's still (obviously) better than Coach.

If you're boarding at New York Penn, all three train types are available. Some other stations (like Newark Airport, for example) only get Regional trains. The Acelas and Metroliners don't stop there.

[DrivingRain]

Originally Posted by First_Class_Flyer

Has anyone stayed at these properties?

I've stayed at all of them with the exception of the new MO (1st time scheduled for August). Here's my ranking of the 5 DC FS/RCs...

1.
Ritz Carlton Georgetown-
Only 86 rooms. Innovative architecture. New York style top-tier service. Full escort to your room, etc. There is no check-in area, just two little desks. Also great bar (a very hot spot) and restuarant. Best decor of any restaurant in the District. Executive suites are biggest I have ever come across for FS/RC/MO...up to 1500 sq ft. (ask for room 355W IIRC). By far the best bathrooms in DC too (355W was around 250ft2). No quick Metro access and no Club Level, but overall great location Check out trip report here: Trip Report: Ritz Carlton Georgetown


2. (tie)
Four Seasons-
2nd best service in DC, but sub-par rooms. Location is good, but on edge of G'town. Cant get a respectable room/bathroom with seperate shower in any of the lower categories which bothers me enough to stop booking here on my own dime. The rooms are generally over-priced. No quick Metro access. I have special affection for this hotel as it was a frequent refuge for tea in the afternoons a few years back. Architecture is disappointing. Seasons is a solid restaurant. Used to be a hot night spot there too...don't know if it still is.

Ritz Carlton Foggy Bottom-
Feels a bit disorganized in the lobby area. Best fitness facilities in city by far. Sub-par eating venues. Nice Club level. Rooms better than FS from bottom to top categories. Location great for business, but so-so for leisure. Overall better facility than the FS (despite some water leakage trouble recently), but service and location are worse.

3.
Ritz Tyson's-
Location too far away to enjoy DC events over the 4th, but worth the trip for the best restaurant in the DC area called Maestro. Rooms and architecture are behind the times (like the FS and RC P) . Check out review here:
Trip Reports: FS (RC) Chicago & RC Tyson's

4. Ritz Pentagon-
I have a love-like relationship with this hotel. Last stay was in mid-December and the place was decorated beautifully. With a heavy snow covering the area and the lounge crowded for a "Santa Tea Service" it really had an incredible atmosphere. The rooms are like the FS though...just behind the times. Pentagon location has its ups and downs. Good Metro and DCA access, but I'd rather be in the city over the 4th. They often price the hotel just right. Service is spotty and definitely the worst of these 5 hotels.

[TransWorldOne]

I've just returned from The Ritz-Carlton, Washington DC (Foggy Bottom). I stayed on the Club level. The location is not the greatest for a tourist, but I kind of liked it. It was convenient enough to walk to Georgetown as well as the National Mall (the Lincoln Memorial end rather than the Capitol end).

Upon arrival, I was completely underwhelmed by the staff on the front drive. Throughout my stay they were unfriendly and slow to offer assistance (if they even bothered to), often failing to do things like open the door for me. I prefer to receive a genuine, warm greeting each time you come through the door.

The front desk staff was excellent. My check-in was very nice, with the front desk clerk seeming to anticipate my needs/wants. As our interaction was ending, he came around the front desk and escorted me to the elevator. I agree with Driving Rain that the lobby's layout is a bit confusing and not set up in a very comfortable manner. Usually Ritz-Carltons seem to capitalize on their lobby designs to make the lobby lounge a comfortable place to enjoy a drink or afternoon tea. This was fairly broken up with three seperate doors into the building. I didn't see a sundry shop anywhere.

The Grille was OK. I had a fabulous duck entree (duck breast on a bed of escarole with a Grand Marnier glaze and topped with seared foie gras). The wine list wasn't very good and had a high markup. Service was passable.

My room was very well-appointed. I felt very comfortable in this room. The bathroom was nice with seperate tub & shower and water closet.

Concierge staff was OK (both Club and lobby). They seemed to be very willing to help but weren't quite as polished as one would expect in a city like Washington. The club lounge seemed was quite nice. Most food presentations were very good. There were a couple real misses-- like really bad yogurt parfaits at breakfast and steak frites that look like they had been sitting far too long in the evening. The lounge concierge staff needs a little more training in the art of afternoon tea. The tea sandwiches and pastries were quite good though. Selection is nothing approaching the spectacular San Francisco Club (my benchmark).

I was very happy here. I chose Washington over Georgetown due to the Club lounge and its proximity to a Metro stop. I am really anxious to try a suite at Georgetown, though, so I may try to do that on my next visit.

[rfrost]

First Class Flyer, if you can get to LGA conveniently, you might find cheap weekend fares on the Delta and USAir shuttles--sometimes as low as $60/flight. As to business class on Amtrak, beware of it on the Regionals non-Metroliner or -Acela trains, as it's the same seats as coach.

[stockexchanger]

The nice thing about the train is that when you get off, you are in the middle of the city. From any of the airports you have an expensive cab ride in town.
I always take Acela first class, very roomy, great service, etc. Although it will be about the same price as your $179 plane ticket, you will not need to go through security, arrive an hour before your flight, shlep through the airport to the cab stand, or take the cab from one of the DC airports to the city. I travel that corridor frequently. Get off the train and the cabs are right there.

Love the Four Seaons. The Ritz Carlton (Foggy Bottom) is ok but would pick the Four Seasons first. Have not tried the Mandarin yet but sounds like I will have to.

[TransWorldOne]

Originally Posted by stockexchanger

The nice thing about the train is that when you get off, you are in the middle of the city. From any of the airports you have an expensive cab ride in town...

Have you ever flown into National? The "expensive" cab ride is no more than $15. Or you can take the Metro. If you take the train instead, you arrive at Union Station, where I presume you'll find yourself with the same options for onward transport.

While I'm not against taking the train, I can't agree at all with your portrayal of flying as inconvenient.

[blueDC]

Originally Posted by stockexchanger

I always take Acela first class, very roomy, great service, etc. Although it will be about the same price as your $179 plane ticket...

I'm not sure but I believe the OP meant $179/rt and Acela First Class one-way alone would cost that much, if not more. I do prefer the downtown-to-downtown aspect of the train but it seems the Metroliner/Acela is not price-competitive with the shuttles.

Both the FS and the RC in Georgetown are inconvenient to Metro, if that's your preferred mode of transport. The West-End RC in Foggy Bottom is much more convenient in that regard. The RC Georgetown is very hip indeed. The style and the decor is quite a departure from the traditional RC offerings. It's almost W-ish where one can hang out in the "living room"/lobby area in front of the fireplace and sip elegant martinis.

Agreed that Maestro at the RC Tysons is one of the best restaurants in the DC area but the hotel's location is less than desirable for city activities. Also note that the WWII Memorial will be closed 7/4 and most likely 7/5 as well as they are gonna put a huge tarp over it to avoid damage from the fireworks (which will start at 9:10pm this year).

[Blumie]

Originally Posted by stockexchanger

I always take Acela first class, very roomy, great service, etc.

I actually prefer the Acela business class over first class. I think it's basically the same seat. The only difference is that in F you get served a complimentary meal and drinks at your seat, whereas in business class you'd have to walk to the cafe car (hardly worth the fare difference in my mind). But first class is so small, that it's rare to have an empty seat next to you, whereas in business class you often do. My preference is to sit in business class and to snag one of the single seats (there's one in each car).