Originally Posted by
MikeFromTokyo
Slightly OT, but for me DC is a city where the paid only options are far superior to the loyalty program participating properties. Hay-Adams, as far as I am concerned, is in a different league entirely from StR and Willard.
I consider FS to be the best in town, and a cut or two avove the closest competition like Ritz-Carlton Georgetown.
Of the point redemption options, I would pick R-C Georgetown, PH, and possibly StR as my top choices.
I agree with your assessment of which hotels in that particular city for which I'd use points to get an award stay that I consider most aspirational. That being said, what you or I value most in an aspirational award are likely different from what other people value.
For me, having a gym or sauna or spa is completely irrelevant--especially in a city. For others, like
stimpy, having these and better high end suites and the like is critical. Of course, the ability to use points/awards to get the high end suites is extremely limited and circumstantial, but that's what seems to matter most to stimpy. For me, being in a luxury hotel that offers luxury levels of service with great rooms in a great location is most important.
We all want different things.
That being said, this list is intended to let people get a sense of which hotels would be among the most aspirational...including those for as many of the major hotel points currencies as possible. The IC Willard is certainly the most aspirational award stay for those wanting to use IC points...and it still ranks as one of the top hotels in the city.
IMO, too many people are drawing too many bad conclusions for the wrong reasons about this list. Apparently, people are forgetting that their particular priorities are not shared by everyone else...or that they can ignore the elements of the list they find less appealing.